Losing or needing to replace your GMC Acadia key fob can be inconvenient, but programming a new one doesn’t have to be a complicated process. Fortunately, for GMC Acadia owners, there are straightforward methods to program a new key fob, ensuring you regain full access and control of your vehicle. This guide will walk you through two distinct methods to program your GMC Acadia key fob, depending on whether you have recognized transmitters available.
Programming Your GMC Acadia Key Fob with Recognized Transmitters
This method is applicable when you already have two working key fobs for your GMC Acadia. Having recognized transmitters simplifies the programming process significantly. Here’s how to program a new key fob using this method:
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Prepare Your Transmitters and Vehicle: Ensure your GMC Acadia is turned off. Gather all key fobs – the two currently working ones and the new key fob you intend to program. Keep all of them with you throughout the process.
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Position Recognized Transmitters: Place the two recognized, working key fobs into the cup holder of your GMC Acadia.
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Initiate Programming Mode: Locate the key lock cylinder cap on the driver’s side door handle and remove it. Insert the vehicle key from the new transmitter into the exposed key lock cylinder. Turn the key counterclockwise (towards the unlock position) five times in quick succession, within a 10-second timeframe.
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Wait for DIC Indication: After correctly performing the previous step, observe the Driver Information Center (DIC) display. It should display a message indicating it’s ready to program the next remote, such as “READY FOR REMOTE #2, 3, 4, ETC.”
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Program the New Transmitter: Locate the transmitter pocket. This is typically found inside the center console storage area, situated between the driver and front passenger seats. Place the new transmitter into this pocket.
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Learn the Transmitter: Press the ENGINE START/STOP button. Once the system successfully learns the new transmitter, the DIC display will update to show it is ready for programming subsequent transmitters if needed.
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Verify Programming and Exit Mode: Remove the newly programmed transmitter from the pocket. Press either the UNLOCK or LOCK button on the transmitter to confirm it is now working with your GMC Acadia. To program additional key fobs, repeat Steps 5–7. Once you have programmed all desired transmitters, press and hold the ENGINE START/STOP button for approximately 12 seconds to exit the programming mode.
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Reassemble the Key: Return the vehicle key back into the new transmitter.
Programming Your GMC Acadia Key Fob Without Recognized Transmitters
If you do not have two recognized key fobs, or if you’ve lost all working fobs, you will need to use a different, slightly longer procedure. This method allows you to program up to eight transmitters. Note that this particular feature might not be available in Canada. Be prepared, as this process will take around 30 minutes to complete.
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Prepare Vehicle and Transmitter: Ensure your GMC Acadia is off and have all the new key fobs you wish to program with you.
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Initiate Remote Learning: Remove the key lock cylinder cap on the driver door handle. Insert the vehicle key of the transmitter into the key lock cylinder on the driver door handle and turn the key, counterclockwise, to the unlock position five times within 10 seconds. The Driver Information Center (DIC) will display “REMOTE LEARN PENDING, PLEASE WAIT.”
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Wait and Repeat: Allow 10 minutes to pass until the DIC display changes to “PRESS ENGINE START BUTTON TO LEARN.” Once this message appears, press the ENGINE START/STOP button. The DIC will revert to displaying “REMOTE LEARN PENDING, PLEASE WAIT.”
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Repeat Waiting Process: Repeat Step 3 two additional times. After the third 10-minute wait period and button press, all previously programmed key fobs will be erased from the vehicle’s memory. This is a necessary step to program new fobs when recognized transmitters are not available.
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DIC Ready for Remote: The DIC display should now indicate “READY FOR REMOTE # 1.”
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Place New Transmitter in Pocket: Put the new transmitter into the transmitter pocket located in the center console storage area.
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Learn the Transmitter: Press the ENGINE START/STOP button. When the transmitter is successfully learned, the DIC will indicate it’s ready for the next remote.
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Verify and Program Additional Transmitters: Remove the transmitter from the pocket and press the UNLOCK or LOCK button to verify it works. To program more transmitters, repeat Steps 6–8. After programming all desired key fobs, press and hold the ENGINE START/STOP button for 12 seconds to exit the programming mode.
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Reassemble Key: Put the key back into the transmitter.
By following these steps, you should be able to successfully program a new key fob for your GMC Acadia. Always ensure you are in a safe location when programming your key fob and have all necessary materials ready before you begin.
