Questions and Answers

Chevy Silverado RKE Programming Q. Dear Mr. Ciulla, I have purchased a 2001 Chevy Silverado 1500. The dealership I bought it from gave me a brand new keyless remote, however it does not work. After scouring the 'net', I have not been able to find an answer on how to program it to my truck. Can you help? Thanks in advance, Steven

A. There are probably a couple of ways to do it. One is with a TECH 2 scan tool. Didn't the dealer offer to program it for you? There is a procedure in the service manual but I don't have access to it.

Transmitter Programming

IMPORTANT: All transmitters which are to be recognized by the Remote Control Door Lock Receiver (RCDLR) must be programmed in a single programming sequence. If the system is placed in program mode it will erase all previously programmed transmitters upon the receipt of the programming signal from the first transmitter. Up to four transmitters can be programmed.

Do not operate or program the transmitters in the vicinity of other vehicles that are in the keyless entry program mode. This prevents the programming of the transmitters to the incorrect vehicle. You may program up to 4 transmitters, using either of the two following procedures:

Transmitter Programming Procedure (Method 1 - No Tools Required)

1. Close all the vehicle doors.
2. Insert the ignition key into the ignition lock cylinder.
3. Press and hold the door unlock switch.
4. While holding the door lock switch in the unlock position, cycle the ignition ON, OFF, ON, OFF.
5. Release the door unlock switch. The doors will lock and unlock to confirm the program mode.
6. Press and hold the LOCK button and the UNLOCK button simultaneously on one transmitter. After a delay of approximately 15 seconds , the doors will lock and unlock to confirm the programming of that transmitter.
7. Repeat the previous step to program up to four transmitters.
8. Turn the ignition switch to the RUN position in order to exit the keyless entry transmitter mode.
9. Operate the transmitter functions in order to verify correct system operation.

Transmitter Programming Procedure (Method 2 - Scan Tool Required)

1. Install a scan tool.
2. Turn the ignition ON, with the engine OFF.
3. Use the scan tool in order to access the Body Control Module (BCM) Special Function: Program Key Fobs menu.
4. Follow the directions on the scan tool in order to program the transmitters.
5. Operate the transmitter functions in order to verify correct system operation.