yet another FOB programming/alarm question

[ladywolf]

Ok.....so I did some researching/digging. I cannot figure out why my truck will not go into programming mode.

my observations: when I lock the truck, I do not observe the little red blinking light thats next to the steering column start blinking. Possibly disconnected?

I was told this remote would work by my parts guy at Toyota. He ran my VIN, and said it came with factory keyless entry.

I tried the variations of the programming sequence to no avail. Possible bad body ECU or a ground somewhere?

I'm wondering if this ties into the fact I cannot use my key to lock the doors, but it'll work in the hatch, the glovebox, and the ignition.

 

[JBDaddy]

Ok.....so I did some researching/digging. I cannot figure out why my truck will not go into programming mode.

...

I tried the variations of the programming sequence to no avail. Possible bad body ECU or a ground somewhere?

I'm wondering if this ties into the fact I cannot use my key to lock the doors, but it'll work in the hatch, the glovebox, and the ignition.

I saw 2 versions of programming instructions when I needed to do this.

1 Version involved turning the key off/on, certain #'s of lock & unlock operations, etc. ( http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...tructions-keyless-entry-remote.html#post60925 ) That never worked for me.

The version that worked for me involved the programming button on the side of the controller that's typically under the driver's seat. ( http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...ntry-programming-i-know-right.html#post600219 )

I'm in a similar spot with the keys not unlocking the doors... PO replaced just about every door/hatch/ignition key cylinder from a different source (mutter).

 

[ladywolf]

I saw 2 versions of programming instructions when I needed to do this.

1 Version involved turning the key off/on, certain #'s of lock & unlock operations, etc. ( http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...tructions-keyless-entry-remote.html#post60925 ) That never worked for me.

The version that worked for me involved the programming button on the side of the controller that's typically under the driver's seat. ( http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...ntry-programming-i-know-right.html#post600219 )

I'm in a similar spot with the keys not unlocking the doors... PO replaced just about every door/hatch/ignition key cylinder from a different source (mutter).

yeah. Mine is factory installed (99), so the box isn't under the drivers seat. I checked there for it. Key unlocks the drivers door, locks and unlocks the hatch, locks and unlocks the glovebox, and works the ignition.

 

[JohnMc]

I got a fob for a later model 3rd gen for free-fitty at a junkyard, and then I had 3 or 4 frustrating sessions trying to get it programmed to the car.

I initially used the instructions above. This all worked to get the car into programming mode, and the locks would cycle when I pressed the remote buttons, so I knew it was pretty close, but after existing programming mode, the fob never worked.

My google-fu is weak today, but eventually I found a slightly different set of instructions that included how to clear all existing fobs out of the system. I did this and only then was able to program the new fob in. Perhaps it already had as many fobs as it can handle in it? Don't know, I didn't get any fobs when I bought it.

Even after I cleared the system, I had to repeatedly try to add the new fob. It seems like the parts of the procedure that involve the car are pretty easy to accomplish (I never had any issues getting it into programming mode) but when it came time to press the fob buttons, that didn't always work properly? Not sure. I just know that it never worked no matter how many times I tried before clearing the system, and once I cleared it, it still to 4 or 5 tries.

It's been working flawlessly for a couple of years now, though.

PS: This thread is in the 4th gen section but is probably applicable - it has an optional step in the middle to either add a new fob or clear all the existing fobs, and mentions that only 4 fobs can be added. I sort of have a hunch that mine already had 4 and just wasn't going to add a new one.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/51642-key-fob-programming.html

 

[ladywolf]

I got a fob for a later model 3rd gen for free-fitty at a junkyard, and then I had 3 or 4 frustrating sessions trying to get it programmed to the car.

I initially used the instructions above. This all worked to get the car into programming mode, and the locks would cycle when I pressed the remote buttons, so I knew it was pretty close, but after existing programming mode, the fob never worked.

My google-fu is weak today, but eventually I found a slightly different set of instructions that included how to clear all existing fobs out of the system. I did this and only then was able to program the new fob in. Perhaps it already had as many fobs as it can handle in it? Don't know, I didn't get any fobs when I bought it.

Even after I cleared the system, I had to repeatedly try to add the new fob. It seems like the parts of the procedure that involve the car are pretty easy to accomplish (I never had any issues getting it into programming mode) but when it came time to press the fob buttons, that didn't always work properly? Not sure. I just know that it never worked no matter how many times I tried before clearing the system, and once I cleared it, it still to 4 or 5 tries.

It's been working flawlessly for a couple of years now, though.

PS: This thread is in the 4th gen section but is probably applicable - it has an optional step in the middle to either add a new fob or clear all the existing fobs, and mentions that only 4 fobs can be added. I sort of have a hunch that mine already had 4 and just wasn't going to add a new one.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/51642-key-fob-programming.html

I cant even get the truck to go into program mode.

 

[swelleriffic]

Use key in driver's door?

I had the same struggle a few weeks ago. It didn't work until I rolled down the driver door window, propped the door open a bit, reached out through the window, then used the key to manually lock/unlock the prescribed number of times. Various sources say to "use a one-second count" but I just turned the key again when the lock cycle finished; it was pretty quick. You have 40 seconds to move the key to the ignition and it worked fine.

I used these instructions: http://www.programyourremote.com/classified/1999-toyota-4runner

Step 4.c tells you the number of times to turn ignition to "on" - I cleared all previous remotes the first go, then re-started the procedure to add my remote. Worked great using the key in the door.

 

[JohnMc]

If you're not getting it into programming mode than just keep trying.

The first time or two I kept trying to read the instruction off my phone, and it didn't go well. Finally I just printed them off.

If you are absolutely sure you're doing things right, it's possible that something isn't working on your car? Like the door switch?

Maybe if you've done it frequently, you'll get it right, but for me it was tricky. I had to do it a couple of times to get it into programming mode, and then I had the ongoing struggle with the 'adding a fob' part.

 

[ladywolf]

I had the same struggle a few weeks ago. It didn't work until I rolled down the driver door window, propped the door open a bit, reached out through the window, then used the key to manually lock/unlock the prescribed number of times. Various sources say to "use a one-second count" but I just turned the key again when the lock cycle finished; it was pretty quick. You have 40 seconds to move the key to the ignition and it worked fine.

I used these instructions: http://www.programyourremote.com/classified/1999-toyota-4runner

Step 4.c tells you the number of times to turn ignition to "on" - I cleared all previous remotes the first go, then re-started the procedure to add my remote. Worked great using the key in the door.

Can't use a key to lock the door, which leads me to believe this is part of the body ECU issue. I saw that someone else was having the same issue.

During my attempt today at lunch, I couldn't get the truck into program mode. I turned the truck on, hit the lock switch, and the locks locked then immediately unlocked, which further leads me to believe that the body ECU is toast.

 

[JohnMc]

During my attempt today at lunch, I couldn't get the truck into program mode. I turned the truck on, hit the lock switch, and the locks locked then immediately unlocked, which further leads me to believe that the body ECU is toast.

Doesn't it do that when the key is in the ignition and the doors are locked (presumably to prevent you from locking the keys inside... as much)?

There are no trivial or unimportant comments in those instructions. Everything has to be done just as it says.

If you're following them correctly, then you shouldn't have the key in the ignition, and the door open, and then be locking the doors.

 

[Andy in Pa]

Doesn't it do that when the key is in the ignition and the doors are locked (presumably to prevent you from locking the keys inside... as much)?

There are no trivial or unimportant comments in those instructions. Everything has to be done just as it says.

If you're following them correctly, then you shouldn't have the key in the ignition, and the door open, and then be locking the doors.

Yes, as this person says above...
I just did this as well, and you HAVE to follow those instructions to the letter. FOr instance, If your drivers door "plunger" thing (that you push down to lock the door) doesn't jump up and down each time you lock/unlock, assist the plunger with your other hand. I was having trouble until I did this...

And yes, your Toy will not let you KEEP the doors locked if in park and the key is in the ignition, and you try to lock the doors.

 

[ladywolf]

Yes, as this person says above...
I just did this as well, and you HAVE to follow those instructions to the letter. FOr instance, If your drivers door "plunger" thing (that you push down to lock the door) doesn't jump up and down each time you lock/unlock, assist the plunger with your other hand. I was having trouble until I did this...

And yes, your Toy will not let you KEEP the doors locked if in park and the key is in the ignition, and you try to lock the doors.

I didnt know the part about the truck not letting you lock your keys in it, if it is in park and the key is in the ignition with the truck running. That was just to see if i had messed anything up. When i turned the truck off the lock switch wouldnt work at all for a minute or to lock or unlock any of the doors.

I also attempted to assist with with my hand on the "plunger", following the directions as stated in the programming threads, to no avail.