key fob programming problem

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9C1C

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Got a 2003 with one key and one FOB. I had a second fob from a Buick that I thought might work, so I followed the programming where you hold the unlock button, hit ignition twice. The original fob made the doors lock/unlock, so I assumed it took the reprogram. The Buick fob didn't get any response. So I closed out the programming by turning the key on. But now my original fob doesn't work at all. I went back and did the programming process again, this time just getting the original fob programmed. The Tahoe responded to the fob during programming again. However, afterwards the fob just doesn't work at all. So is it a problem with the original fob, or do you have to have two good fobs to get the programming to work, or did I hose something else up? Thanks in advance for your help.
 

Joseph Garcia

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Take the truck and both fobs to a local locksmith, and have them reprogram the original fob. They will determine if the replacement fob is useable for your truck. They also sell replacement fobs at a reasonable price. You will be in and out of there within 20 minutes or less.
 

Tonyrodz

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Take the truck and both fobs to a local locksmith, and have them reprogram the original fob. They will determine if the replacement fob is useable for your truck. They also sell replacement fobs at a reasonable price. You will be in and out of there within 20 minutes or less.
Also need to check the FCC frequency on the back of the replacement fob. Needs to be compatible with the originals FCC frequency.
 

Fless

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Long ago I picked up two aftermarket FOBs for my '04. When I went to program them, the OE (Driver 1) FOB wouldn't program, but the new ones would. I recall attempting the programming a couple of times that day but couldn't get it to accept that OE FOB. But the two aftermarket FOBs were accepted and programmed.

Note that once you initiate programming -- successful or not -- it wipes all existing programmed FOBs out of the BCM.

If you have your OE FOB, look on the back to see what the FCC ID is; your replacements need to be compatible with your OE FCC ID, as @Tonyrodz noted. Here's mine, but yours may be different since it's an earlier model.

Tahoe Key FOB.jpg
 

Tonyrodz

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You could always pick up some new fobs cheaply from ebay or Amazon. Just make sure the new FCC #s are compatible with your old one. Cheap and quick. You could find 2 for $20 or less.
 
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9C1C

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Thanks for all the replies. The original I have doesn't have any markings on it, so I'm thinking it may not be an original GM unit that would have come with the truck. I did order a couple new ones and found a local locksmith that I'll have program them for me. Hopefully that'll do the trick.
 

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