"S" Series RKE Remote and Option Programing

[wolfman]

NOTE! These instructions will only work for "S" Series cars built BEFORE 2000. If you have an "L", ION, or VUE, or 00'-02' "S" Series, you MUST go to the dealer to have Key Fobs programmed.

Remote RKE Key fob and option programming for "S" series cars built up to 1999 with Factory OEM Keyless Entry.

NOTE:ALL remotes MUST be programmed at the SAME TIME

Find the Diag connector to the left of the column attached to the dash below the steering wheel. (The thing a scan tool plugs into)
You will see two rows of little sockets or pins. Counting from left to right, TOP ROW, Jumper pins 4 and 8 (a paper clip bent into a "U" works well for this) .
The door locks should cycle and trunk pop open.
Depress lock and unlock button AT THE SAME TIME on the remote you want to program until locks cycle again. (This can take up to 1 minute)

If you have more than one remote, you will need to reprogram it at the same time. You do this by pressing the lock unlock buttons at the same time on EACH remote within 5 seconds of the other one acknowleding programing as described above. Every time you program a remote it clears the memory of ALL remotes. On the 97'-99' cars you can also program some handy options (like whether the horn chirps on "ARM" or you can even enable or disable the OEM alarm altogether.) Get the remotes programmed and working first, if you want to make any changes after that, SEE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW

NOTE: If the programming does not work on one remote, remove the rear cover on the remote and clean the battery contact areas, check or change the battery and try again. Most often it is just a bad battery or dirty battery contacts on the remotes themselves that cause problem. Keep in mind you MUST program ALL remotes at the same time, each and every time.

Saturn "S" Series RKE and Security system OPTIONS programming up to 1999

Options are how the CAR will react when commanded by ANY remote programed and working for the CAR. You DO NOT need to reprogram a functional remote to change the options!


With the #4 and #8 pins jumpered, as described in the remote programing instructions above, you program the options by "cycling" (turning to ON and then back OFF) the ignition key a specific number of times as listed below.


#of key cycles
1..active.. horn enabled..alarm enabled..ign kill enabled
2..active..horn enabled..alarm enabled..ign kill disabled
3..active..horn enabled..alarm disabled..ign kill disabled
4..active..horn enabled..alarm enabled..ign kill enabled.
5..passive..horn enabled..alarm enabled..ign kill disabled
6..passive..horn enabled..alarm enabled..ign kill enabled
11..no horn sound.. all parts of security system disabled.. Will just lock and unlock vehicle


"Horn enabled" means horn will sound on on second press of lock button on remote in active or passive mode.

"Passive mode" will arm alarm after 1 minute. It will NOT automatically lock doors.

"Active mode" requires the use of the remote OR PDL door lock switch on the inside of the car (by pressing "LOCK" TWICE and then closing the door) to arm the security system, it will not self arm after 1 minute.

[n2stc]

I tried this buy using the following

- closed door
- jumpered pins 4 & 8
- cycled key 3 times
- unjumpered pins

the alarm still arms itself after 1 minute . Did I do something wrong?

[madpogue]

Hm, what wolfman didn't specify (which is unlike him...) is whether by "ON" he means "ACC" or "RUN". It might make a difference.

[wolfman]

http://www.saturnfans.com/photos/sho...00/ppuser/3528


Right from the FSM (Factory Service Manual)

To program the RKE module with a new transmitter, use the following instructions:

Have all the transmitters that will be programmed to the Saturn Present, even if only one is new.

1.Put your key in the ignition, and keep it in the OFF position.

2.Locate the DLC. It is fastened to bottom of the left side of trim panel under the steering column.

3.Use a jumper wire to provide a path from the RKE system program circuit (cavity 8) to ground (cavity 4). Use an available Saturn lead kit and splice, to create a jumper wire as shown. Grounding the program circuit causes the horn chirp. Count the number of horn chirps. The number of chirps will correspond to the mode the RKE module is in.
Obtain the desired mode number by referring to the Saturn Security System mode chart.
4.Cycle the ignition key the number of times that correspond to the desired mode, making sure the key ends up in the LOCK position after it is cycled.
The key must be in the LOCK position to program the module.
5.Keeping the program circuit grounded, simultaneously press and hold the LOCK and UNLOCK buttons on the transmitter.
The horn will chirp the number of times corresponding to the mode programmed when the process is completed, may take up to 15 seconds.
If there is no response, repeat this step, making sure both buttons are pressed down firmly.
If there is still no response, check the transmitter battery and battery contacts. If you are only programming the RKE module with one transmitter, proceed to step 7.
6.Still keeping the program circuit grounded, repeat step 5 with the next transmitter. You must not allow more than one minute between programming the transmitters, or the RKE module will exit programming mode and you will have to start over. If you accidentally disconnect the ground wire from the DLC before completing this step, you will have to start over at step 3. If you accidentally disconnect the ground wire from the DLC, after completing this step, only the first transmitter will be matched. If you make a mistake, start over at step 3.

7.Remove the jumper wire.
Test the operation of each transmitter with the Saturn.
Close the decklid or liftgate.


Saturn Security System Mode Chart Number of IGN Cycles (Horn Chirps)
Mode (Active/Passive)
Double Press LOCK button for horn chirp
Content Theft
Immobilization

0
No Change
No Change
No Change
No Change

1
Active
Enabled
Enabled
Enabled

2
Active
Enabled
Enabled
Disabled

3
Active
Enabled
Disabled
Disabled

4
Active
Enabled (Single button press for horn chirp Arm 1/Disarm 2)
Enabled
Enabled

5
Passive
Enabled
Enabled
Enabled

6
Passive
Enabled (Single button press for horn chirp Arm 1/Disarm 2)
Enabled
Enabled

7-10*
Not Used
Not Used
Not Used
Not Used

11
Disabled
Disabled
Disabled
Disabled

12-14*
Not Used
Not Used

[RedLine004]

With key off jump pin 8 to ground pin 4 wait for 30 seconds then the horn should sound if not check remote if its ok check with dealer for poss rke replacement.Your rke should be behind rear pass seat on left side.It should not take this long to program remote lol.Caution if this is a 2000 or greater need to take to dealer to program.

[RedLine004]

O by the way rid the Scar and geta ION REDLINE better performance lol

[n2stc]

Thanks Wolfman!! I got it working. Apparently you need to program the remotes last, to confirm the settings.

[Carlyle]

Where exactly is the RKE? behind a panel? exactly where?

[Carlyle]

after gutting my car for painting the panels and dying the carpet, i determined i dont have one...

[UsNsUbSoNaR]

I performed this on my car and I didn't change the alarm functions. I then tried to arm the alarm with the whole horn chirp after second lock deal and there was nothing. When I tried to change the settings to the first set of options (alarm enabled...yatta yatta) due to the horn not chirping, it beep once when jumpered. Tried to arm the alarm again, nothing. I then changed to two chirps while jumpered with reprogrammed FOBs and still nothing. BTW, it worked before I initially programmed the new FOB and the old one. Any thoughts?

[poisonworm]

Sorry to revive an old thread, but i have a question...

I just bought a 98 Saturn SL, and am interested in setting the alarm to mode 1...All on. My remote currently works, and is programmed, so would I have to reprogram the remote anyways?

Again, sorry to revive the old thread...

Erik

[beckerboards]

Just letting everyone interested in this thread that I have used these instructions for my 99 sw2 and it worked just fine.

[gokart21jp]

im helping friends daughter 98 saturn sc alarm giving big problems replaced alarm it added problems went threw all directions still wont work is there anyway to copletely remove alarm and bypass so it will never get stuck again so she can start car and get to college please help thank you email me if you find anything that can help gokart21jp@bellsouth.net desperate in st augustine

[madpogue]

Originally Posted by gokart21jp

im helping friends daughter 98 saturn sc alarm giving big problems replaced alarm it added problems went threw all directions still wont work is there anyway to copletely remove alarm and bypass so it will never get stuck again so she can start car and get to college please help thank you email me if you find anything that can help gokart21jp@bellsouth.net desperate in st augustine

Since this is a specific question/issue, and not an enhancement of the "How-To" of this article, please (1) post your question to the "S-Series General" forum, and (2) please use punctuation / capitalization in a manner that makes your statement meaningful.

[SiMPiN]

Nice tutorial Wolfman ... I lost my gf's set of keys one night when drinking so this will save us a few bucks when we get a replacement fob.

One question, I have a spare key but not a spare fob so when I open the door the horn starts going and the car is immobilized. Will the RKE module reprogram a new fob while it's immobilized? I was thinking no due to the risk of theft but since you need the key in the ignition to reprogram it should be able to.

Thanks for the insight!

[wolfman]

Originally Posted by SiMPiN

Nice tutorial Wolfman ... I lost my gf's set of keys one night when drinking so this will save us a few bucks when we get a replacement fob.

One question, I have a spare key but not a spare fob so when I open the door the horn starts going and the car is immobilized. Will the RKE module reprogram a new fob while it's immobilized? I was thinking no due to the risk of theft but since you need the key in the ignition to reprogram it should be able to.

Thanks for the insight!

Putting the key in the ignition and starting the car will silence the alarm and deactivate the system if you do it quickly (the exact time frame I do not recall) enough upon opening the door and tripping the system. If you have the key you can also deactivate the active arming that is now set to on without the fob until you can obtain and program one. You just need to jumper the terminals in the ALDL and cycle the key on/off as appropriate as listed in the directions (No fob needed)

[SiMPiN]

Thanks for the swift reply and useful info ... I'm gonna go try it now cause the battery in my Acura is dead so I need to boost it with the trusty old Saturn that's been sitting all winter!

Cheers!

[94IAcoupe]

Will this work on a 94 SC2?

[ScottFitzhugh]

I have a 1999 SL1. The car seems to be in mode 4 (1 chirp when locks-2 chirps when unlocks). I want it in mode 1.

When I jumper 4 & 8, it honks 14 times. This is weird, since the chart says 14 is not used. I cycle my key 1 time to try to get to normal use, but it makes no change. (I have tried cycling from Lock to ACC & from Lock to Run).

Anyone seen this and know how to fix it?

Thanks,
Scott

[jarl]

Hello Scott,

I replied your PM already, but for the public's sake I'm adding my 2 cents here...
Mode 14 is, indeed, not an option for this car's RKE. It's more likely your RKE going south, or being out of commission already.

In my case I never had any problem bringing the car out of mode 14 using these instructions (I actually printed them and carried the page in my glovebox... I threw away the page -and the clip- just recently), but the solution to the problem was to replace the RKE module by a pull-a-part unit.

The funny thing is that I later retrofitted my '94 SL2 with the very same (defective?) unit, and it never failed on that car...

J