Two questions about programming new keys using two existing fobs

Chevy Bolt EV Forum

Help Support Chevy Bolt EV Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

nickinps

Member
Joined
Jan 28, 2021
Messages
9
I bought an aftermarket key fob for $39 and just had the key blade cut for $25 for my 2020 Bolt LT. The instructions in the owners handbook for "Programming with Two Recognized Transmitters" seem straightforward, but I've run into two issues:

1. Instruction #1 says to "Place the two recognized transmitters in the backup location with the buttons facing down". Unfortunately, the drawing they provide shows only a single transmitter sitting inside the little raised area at the bottom of the center console. That little raised area outlines the shape of a single transmitter with no space for a second and is defined as the "backup location". in order to have both transmitters resting at the bottom of the console simultaneously, they have to be side by side, with each only partially covering the backup location in the middle. Is that what was intended? And if so, why didn't Chevy provide a drawing that indicated as much, given that the single-transmitter-in-the-backup-location drawing is repeated exactly in the next section describing how to program without two transmitter?

2. Assuming that side-by-side positioning of the two recognized transmitters is OK, I followed the instructions to use the key blade on the new device to turn five times to the unlock position and trigger the DIC to display READY FOR REMOTE 3. At that point I removed the two recognized transmitters, replaced them in the backup location with the new fob with the buttons pointing downward, and pressed "POWER to start the vehicle" as instructed. The problem at that point is that nothing happens, at least from what I can see and hear. As far as I am aware, the vehicle does NOT start with the press of the button. The POWER button continues to pulse blue and there are no indications that all systems have come on-line. The READY FOR REMOTE 3 message continues to be displayed in the DIC, and eventually goes dark as does the pulsing POWER button. Repeated pushing of the POWER button had no effect at all, which was quite disconcerting until I remembered that to exit programming mode I'd have to push the POWER button for at least 12 seconds. The two obvious candidates for why the transmitter is not being programmed are (a) the problem with positioning the two recognized transmitters described in Question #1 and (b) the aftermarket key fob is defective or not correct for my vehicle. Any ideas?

Thanks,

Nick in Palm Springs
 
Maybe this will help?
https://www.chevybolt.org/threads/read-this-before-programming-a-second-keyfob-if-you-only-have-one.37130/
 
Yep... The link helped! That thread indicates that I'm not the only person who ran into trouble with programming an aftermarket version rather than an OEM fob. Same symptoms. Returned my aftermarket fob (carsandtrucksremote.com had no problem with a return... bless them!) and have ordered their OEM version. Will report back as to whether there are any differences in the outcome.

Nick in Palm Springs
 
To close this thread and hopefully help someone else in the same situation that I was, here are the answers to my questions:

Question 1: Owner's handbook drawing for fob programming using two recognized transmitters only shows one fob in the backup location in the center console...
Answer: The drawing is wrong. You put the two recognized transmitters face down in the console well, right next to each other, fat ends facing forward, positioned towards the front of the well.

Question 2: Why can't the programming process move beyond the "READY FOR REMOTE 3" message despite me following directions to the letter and pushing the Power button to no avail?...
I purchased a new "aftermarket" key fob for $39 from CarandTruckRemotes.com to program using the onboard programming process. It turns out that to use aftermarket fobs, you need additional equipment to start the programming that isn't possible with just the onboard process. After I figured that out, I sent my aftermarket fob back to the CarandTruckRemotes.com and instead ordered a new OEM fob from them ($93)(an OEM fob from a 3rd party seller like CarandTruckRemotes.com would be exactly the same as one you'd buy from a dealer for about $240). With the OEM fob, the programming took all of about 5 minutes to complete. A local locksmith cut the swing-out key blade for $25, making the total price of an extra working key fob $118 versus the nearly$400 my local dealer wanted.

Cheers,

Nick in Palm Springs
 
To close this thread and hopefully help someone else in the same situation that I was, here are the answers to my questions:

Question 1: Owner's handbook drawing for fob programming using two recognized transmitters only shows one fob in the backup location in the center console...
Answer: The drawing is wrong. You put the two recognized transmitters face down in the console well, right next to each other, fat ends facing forward, positioned towards the front of the well.

Question 2: Why can't the programming process move beyond the "READY FOR REMOTE 3" message despite me following directions to the letter and pushing the Power button to no avail?...
I purchased a new "aftermarket" key fob for $39 from CarandTruckRemotes.com to program using the onboard programming process. It turns out that to use aftermarket fobs, you need additional equipment to start the programming that isn't possible with just the onboard process. After I figured that out, I sent my aftermarket fob back to the CarandTruckRemotes.com and instead ordered a new OEM fob from them ($93)(an OEM fob from a 3rd party seller like CarandTruckRemotes.com would be exactly the same as one you'd buy from a dealer for about $240). With the OEM fob, the programming took all of about 5 minutes to complete. A local locksmith cut the swing-out key blade for $25, making the total price of an extra working key fob $118 versus the nearly$400 my local dealer wanted.

Cheers,

Nick in Palm Springs
Hello Nick,
I wanted to make sure before I purchased an OEM fob that your car was a 2020 Chevy Bolt EV?? I am told that it cannot be programmed on my own, but I also read you can. Just curious before I go ahead. Thanks!
 
I purchased this fob from Amazon for $25:

1x New Replacement Keyless Key Fob Compatible with & Fit for Select Chevrolet Vehicles. HYQ4AA 315 MHz​

Brand: KeylessCanada
I programmed it using the two original fobs using the owner's manual. I put one fob in the designated space and one behind it. It works fine and I found the key making machine at my supermarket will cut the removable backup door key, but I keep forgetting to bring it.
 
I purchased this fob from Amazon for $25:

1x New Replacement Keyless Key Fob Compatible with & Fit for Select Chevrolet Vehicles. HYQ4AA 315 MHz​

Brand: KeylessCanada
I programmed it using the two original fobs using the owner's manual. I put one fob in the designated space and one behind it. It works fine and I found the key making machine at my supermarket will cut the removable backup door key, but I keep forgetting to bring it.
 
I also have questions….3 to be exact

1. I’m assuming this can also be done with only 1 original remote?? I am brand new to EV’s so I have a lot to learn.

2. I have a 2020 Bolt and I am only getting about 145 miles per charge (starting at approx 30-40 miles left on a charge), does this seem right? Here is some info that can help. I live in Portland, OR area, so it gets pretty cold here. I do have the heater on during the cold, but I keep it at a 1 or 2, only briefly turning it high when we initially start the car in the morning. I can’t plug in at night because we live in an apartment and the office mgr said no.

3. And lastly, I was told that if I drive in the “L” or lower gear (?) that it would help to save on battery usage?? Is that true??
 
The owners manual goes over the key fobs in detail. I had two and added a third but I recall GM explaining how to add one when you just have one fob. It takes a while because of the theft protection time outs and I think with one fob you end up programming both. Not just a copy of the original. I think :). I don’t live where it’s that cold. But at 80% I get about 170 ish miles. About 230 at 100%. And it varies a bit between how aggressive I am and stuff like AC. The worst was going to a ren fair up in the mountains. But I gained a lot coming back down. So to segue into your last. Yes. Go full regen. Your battery will thank you ;)
 
Back
Top