Reprogramming The Remote Key

[Paul Marsland]

I've got a 1997 2.3 Ghia, and have just spent quite a while trying to get the remote key reprogrammed. I can't remember it ever having actually worked, but I finally got round to getting some new batteries..... thought my wife might appreciate not having to fumble around with a key in the cold over the next few days. The LED on the key works when I press either of the buttons, so I know the batteries have been fitted OK.

 

The problem is that I cannot get the LED to light on the door to indicate the programming phase has been entered... I've tried putting the key into the unlock position 3 times inside 5 seconds for .5 seconds each time (at least to my estimate of the timing) but without success. The door LED does light when the car has been locked and the immobiliser is on, so it's not that the LED is bust either.

 

Does anyone have any tricks of the trade to get the timing right for entering the programming sequence ? Or have I ended up with a Galaxy that doesn't actually have remote central locking... I've simply been passed a "remote" key as one of the 3 keys when I bought it second hand 5 yrs ago, when it's not got a remote sensor installed !

 

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.