Experiencing issues with your Cadillac key fob? Perhaps it stopped working after a battery replacement, or maybe it’s simply become unresponsive. Before you rush to the dealership, you might be able to solve the problem yourself by resetting or reprogramming your key fob. This guide will walk you through the process of how to reset your Cadillac key fob, allowing you to regain control and convenience without the need for professional assistance right away.
This procedure is particularly useful if you’ve replaced the battery in your key fob and it’s no longer recognized by your Cadillac. It’s a relatively simple process that you can perform at home in just a few minutes. Here’s how to do it:
Step-by-Step Guide to Resetting Your Cadillac Key Fob
Follow these steps carefully to successfully reset your Cadillac key fob:
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Turn Off Your Cadillac: Ensure your vehicle is completely turned off. The engine should not be running, and the ignition should be in the OFF position.
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Gather Your Key Fobs: You will need both the recognized (working) key fob and the unrecognized (problematic) key fob with you. Keep them readily accessible.
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Locate the Trunk Key Cylinder: Go to the rear of your Cadillac. On the driver’s side, look for the key cylinder located on the lower part of the rear fascia, near the trunk.
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Open the Trunk Manually: Insert the vehicle key into the key cylinder you just located and manually open the trunk.
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Initiate Programming Sequence: This is the crucial step for starting the reset process. Turn the key in the trunk lock cylinder five times in quick succession, within a 5-second timeframe. It’s important to perform these turns swiftly.
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Observe the Driver Information Center (DIC): After turning the key correctly, get inside your Cadillac and look at the Driver Information Center (DIC) display. It should display a message indicating “READY FOR FOB #X,” where “X” represents the next available fob number to be programmed. This confirms that your Cadillac is now in key fob programming mode.
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Program the Unrecognized Key Fob: Take the unrecognized key fob and place it into the transmitter pocket located inside the glove box. This pocket can be a bit hidden. Open your passenger side glove box and look on the left side wall. You might need to feel around to find a small, recessed pocket. Insert the key fob into this pocket with the buttons facing towards the right side of the glove box.
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Wait for Confirmation: Once the key fob is correctly placed in the glove box transmitter pocket, the system will attempt to program it. Wait for an audible beep sound. This beep indicates that the unrecognized transmitter has been successfully programmed and recognized by your Cadillac.
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Finalize the Process: After hearing the beep, press the ACC (Accessory) button in your Cadillac. This step finalizes the key fob programming procedure.
After completing these steps, your previously unrecognized Cadillac key fob should now be reset and fully functional. It might be programmed as a new fob number (e.g., fob 3 or fob 4) depending on your Cadillac’s system memory, especially if you were reprogramming a fob that was previously considered inactive. Cadillac vehicles can typically have up to four key fobs programmed to them.
Starting Your Cadillac with a Dead Key Fob Battery
It’s also good to know what to do if your key fob battery dies completely, leaving you with a “NO FOBS DETECTED” message when you try to start your Cadillac. Even with a dead fob battery, you can still start your vehicle in an emergency situation:
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Locate the Glove Box Transmitter Pocket: Just like in the reset procedure, find the transmitter pocket inside your passenger side glove box.
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Place the Fob in the Pocket: Put your dead key fob into this pocket, again with the buttons facing to the right.
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Start Your Cadillac: With the vehicle in Park (P), firmly press the brake pedal and then press the Start button. This procedure will allow you to start your Cadillac despite the dead key fob battery.
Remember, this emergency start method is a temporary solution. You should replace the key fob battery as soon as possible to ensure reliable key fob operation in the future.
By following these instructions, you can effectively reset your Cadillac key fob and handle situations with a dead key fob battery. This DIY approach can save you time and money, getting you back on the road quickly.
