Key Fob Programming in Aurora, IL

Battery first, programming second

A fob that worked in October can go dead on the first bitter morning of an Aurora winter, because a small coin cell loses strength in the cold. Fit a new battery of the type marked on the old one and try the fob close to the car before assuming it needs programming.

Signs that it needs programming instead:

• a fresh battery changes nothing
• the buttons lock and unlock the doors, but the car will not start or reports that no key is detected
• the fob was bought separately, new or used, and has never been paired to this car

Garage, driveway or curb

Programming is done at the car, so the car has to be reachable and able to stay put while the work is done. A garage keeps off the snow but may be boxed in, so note the space around the driver's door. A car at the curb can be harder to reach after a snowfall, with plow ridges and packed snow against the doors. Give your side of the Fox River, or on the Far East Side whether you are nearer Eola Road or Route 59, and say where the car is sitting.

Programming a car fob does not change the garage door buttons built into some cars' mirrors or visors; those pair with the garage opener separately.

What to bring

• Every working fob and key for the car. On some cars, programming a new fob erases any fob that is not present, so a spare left in a drawer can stop working.
• The VIN, from the registration, title or insurance card.
• Any new fob you bought, with its part number, since not every aftermarket fob can be paired with every car.
• Photo ID and the registration or title.

The key fob programming page describes the service, and Aurora has the city notes. If every fob is lost, start with car key replacement.