[Shiny]

Just wanted to share a bizarre automotive experience..

The remote on our Outback broke. I ordered a new RF module but refused to pay $75 to have it programmed by the dealer so I searched online and found a procedure. I just finished (it worked!) but I was almost hysterical by the time I finished.

For real:

1. Open and Close Door twice

2. Turn ignition from "Lock" to "On" 10 times within 15 seconds

Interior lights start blinking and buzzers are beeping

3. Open and Close Door again

4. Enter the 8-digit RF module code using the Door Lock/Unlock button

Press "Lock" 8 times for numeral 8, then press "Unlock"
"Lock" N times for 2nd numeral N, then "Unlock"
Do this 6 more times until all 8 digits are entered
Hit "Unlock" button
Repeat the entire 8-digit code entry sequence (I'm not kidding)

5. Remove key

If you mess up or miss a time window you start over.

Nobody could make this stuff up.

[Cardo]

The older Fords are almost identical in procedure.

[Lemans64]

And I thought the early Toyota ones were bad, LMAO.
Turn ignition off and on, open and close door twice, turn key on open and close door 2 times then cal key once for add a key, (more if doing other things) Then hold both button on fob for 1 sec, then push 1 button for 1 sec. door lock should cycle if not start all over again.

[OG68]

I had to program a new key for my daughters 02 Camry. I think the procedure emphasized how bad my short term memory is.

[ramair_bryan]

I was backing out of a space in front of our favorite restaurant where everyone
has to sit outside. (freaking California).
When a gal said our tail lite is out.
So right in front of everybody, I got out, rubbed my hands together,
and just on the right spot.....hit the tail lite with my fist.
Everyone cracked up as they applauded. .........................








keep looking up and smiling.

[Shiny]

Originally Posted by Cardo

The older Fords are almost identical in procedure.

This proves there are at least 2 sadistic electrical engineers in the world.

Originally Posted by Lemans64

And I thought the early Toyota ones were bad, LMAO.
Turn ignition off and on, open and close door twice, turn key on open and close door 2 times then cal key once for add a key, (more if doing other things) Then hold both button on fob for 1 sec, then push 1 button for 1 sec. door lock should cycle if not start all over again.

I'll give this a runner-up trophy!

Originally Posted by OG68

I had to program a new key for my daughters 02 Camry. I think the procedure emphasized how bad my short term memory is.

Exactly. I had a 3-page printout and had to use my cell phone camera to read the tiny 8-digit code printed so only a munchkin with a telescope could read it. I had to start over 4 times before I got through it without timing out.

Originally Posted by ramair_bryan

I was backing out of a space in front of our favorite restaurant where everyone
has to sit outside. (freaking California).
When a gal said our tail lite is out.
So right in front of everybody, I got out, rubbed my hands together,
and just on the right spot.....hit the tail lite with my fist.
Everyone cracked up as they applauded. .........................

This is user-friendly! And you didn't have to enter the whack-it code twice to prove you meant it!

[chevymad]

If I remember right, there was a similar procedure to reset the air suspension on 80s lincolns.

[Chris65LeMans]

Wow. The procedure to reset the oil change light on my wife’s Toyota isn’t nearly as complicated, but is is weird and complex enough that I need to watch a you tube how to video every time.

[dataway]

And salespeople don't understand why I buy a vehicle with no keyless entry, no power windows, no radio (if I can), no carpet, vinyl seats, no On-Star, no entertainment center, no cruise, no blue-tooth, no gps, and no hands-free anything

My current truck I actually HAD to get AC and an automatic, I couldn't order one without it. Gotta admit, kind of like both of them though.

[tempest1964]

No wonder they wanted to charge $75. I bet the service tech's cringe every time they have to do this.

[Half-Inch Stud]

2 years ago, Got 2 keyfobs thru Amazon for the 95 Lincoln Towncar. gotta be carefull to get the correct fob.

Well, i stood at the keyless entry pad and did the buttonwork per Owners manual. All good.

Well, dropped 1 keyfob a year ago on pavement and it stopped working. Boom 1-down.
Well, dropped 2nd keyfob this month into a bonfire (dammed hoodie pockets suck) and fob roasted.

Sooooo, im fobless and use the keypad to unlock the doors now. True story. HIS

[TAKerry]

a few years ago the fob stopped workimg on my wifes MB. Put a new battery in, took it to my local guy to reprogram. He couldnt get it to work so I had to make an appt at the Mercedes dealer. Apparently the model I had could only be done with the dealer's equipment. They couldnt get it to work, so I had to buy another key at $100+. still did not work, came to find out it was the central computer on the car at a cost of $800+, No refund for the new key they sold me. Learned to live without remote unlock.

[Matt Meaney]

Originally Posted by tempest1964

No wonder they wanted to charge $75. I bet the service tech's cringe every time they have to do this.

oh god no. hook up the computer and a couple key strokes later, done. doesn't take but a couple minutes.

[mechanickeith]

And this is why I don't own anything new enough to even require emissions. Daily driver 61 Tempest has well over 570,000 miles on her.

[Lemans64]

Originally Posted by tempest1964

No wonder they wanted to charge $75. I bet the service tech's cringe every time they have to do this.

Newer Toyota's do use scan tool to do this, Much easier, but custom still pays 1/2 hour. Just don't lose all your keys, then your in another mess. They have a master and a valet, one cannot program a master from a valet, so you have to do a system reset. hour and a half plus keys.

[Shiny]

Originally Posted by Half-Inch Stud

...Sooooo, im fobless and use the keypad to unlock the doors now. True story. HIS

Fobless! Like Fabulous only different.

Originally Posted by Matt Meaney

oh god no. hook up the computer and a couple key strokes later, done. doesn't take but a couple minutes.

Yes, no way the dealer tech goes through this. If they did, they'd probably charge 2 or 3 hrs labor.

I'm actually surprised there is a "manual" way to do this. Obviously they don't want to make it easy! The dealer didn't even know it was possible so I wonder if Subaru does this security system programming or if it's "legacy" code from 1987 that their supplier left active?

I have a friend that says "The most secure system is one that nobody can use"!

[Gastiresandoil]

Try reprograming a new key for a 04-06 GTO. Might take you an hour, just waiting for a few faint beeps of the horn. Ugh

[Matt Meaney]

the procedure to manually program keys has always been in the owners manual.