Remote Locking Programming - The Definitive Answers

[Vanbursta]

Please bear with me as this post is quite long, but it is the CORRECT method and has been tested and works on a number of cars.

 

As some of you will know I have an early Gal with the infra red remote locking, neither of the instructions supplied in the drivers handbooks worked for me, I just couldn't get it to go into programming mode no matter what I tried. I had to have the central locking / alarm control module under the passenger seat replaced because of water ingress and whilst everything else was working, there was NO WAY to program the remote control. In desperation I finally went to the local VW garage and asked them to have a look for me, the service manager (by chance) had been the service manager for our local Ford garage a couple of years previously and was instantly able to SHOW me what was wrong, new units are programmed with a default setting of 0 and with a setting of 0000 for the last access (last access is a code for the garage that last accessed the unit for programming), sure enough as soon as he accessed the module from the VW machine the code was proven to be 0, this means that the Ford garage did NOT even attempt to program it when fitted. I went back to the local Ford and spoke to the service manager, neither he nor his master tech had ever heard of programming the module "we just bung em in and they work", they would not even connect it up to WDS to have a look! they insisted that I was wrong and they were right. I went to another Ford garage and they told me the same, but they would connect the car to WDS to double check, sure enough when they connect it, it said on the screen "unprogrammed, would you like to program Y/N", it took all of about 12 seconds and then stated "program complete" and guess what, I can now program the remote with the usual 3 turns in the drivers door trick. The moral here is that it doesn't seem that any Ford garages know the unit has to be programmed so if you have to have a new one fitted INSIST that they do it or you will not be able to program the remote, they will try to make you feel small and say that you are talking rubbish, but I promise you it is necessary. Further to all this I spoke to Ford's technical hotline and they confirmed that any unit fitted as a replacement to the original MUST be programmed or it will default to limited operation. I also manged to CONFIRM the programming procedure for the remote controls and I have attached them below, I have tried and tested BOTH methods and they BOTH work for their respective vehicles.

 

A ) Vehicles from 08 95 to 05 96, the programming procedure is as below:-

 

Hold the remote control in the direction of the vehicle, press the UNLOCKING button 3 times within 5 seconds, the control light on the drivers door will then illuminate (the system is in programming mode), within this period press and hold the unlocking button, then press the locking button 3 times, if the control light in the drivers door flashes then the system accepted the remote, you can program all further remotes within 20 seconds.

 

B ) Vehicles from 05 96 onwards

 

1. Close all the vehicle doors.

 

2. Note:

Make sure the door lock cylinder is held in the unlock position for more than 0.5 seconds.

 

Insert the key into the driver door lock cylinder and turn the key from the rest position to the unlock position three times within five seconds.

 

3. The door lock light emitting diodes (LED)s will illuminate for 15 seconds during the remote transmitter programming mode, allowing the remote transmitter to be programmed.

 

4. Remove the key from the driver door lock cylinder and aim the remote transmitter at the interior rear view mirror.

 

5. Press and hold the LOCK button on the remote transmitter.

 

6. While holding the LOCK button down, press the UNLOCK button three times on the remote transmitter.

 

7. Release both buttons simultaneously.

 

8. Make sure the door lock LEDs flash five times, confirming that the remote transmitter has been programmed.

 

9. After a remote transmitter has been successfully programmed, the GEM will reset the programming mode, allowing a further 15 seconds to program the next remote transmitter.

 

10. To program additional remote transmitters, repeat steps 4 to 8.

 

NOTE There is some "overlap between the dates that the procedure changed, if your vehicle was built between these dates, then "one or the other" method will work according to Ford Tech, basically dependant on where your Gal was built, it may have the old system they carried over from other VW vehicles or the later system that Ford co designed.

 

I really hope this helps someone else out and that they don't have to go through the same hassle I as have for the last 4 months trying to get my local Ford garage to realise that they were wrong. I did get an apology when I took the receipt for the work in, not that it really helps as they could have solved it a LONG time ago if only they had plugged the Gal into their WDS! and I wonder how many more they have done incorrectly (bearing in mind they didn't know that it had to be programmed and in fact insisted it didn't need it). Course it could just be because I have an old car and they can' be bothered.

[Cathy]

B ) Vehicles from 05 96 onwards

 

1. Close all the vehicle doors.

 

2. Note:

Make sure the door lock cylinder is held in the unlock position for more than 0.5 seconds.

 

Insert the key into the driver door lock cylinder and turn the key from the rest position to the unlock position three times within five seconds.

 

3. The door lock light emitting diodes (LED)s will illuminate for 15 seconds during the remote transmitter programming mode, allowing the remote transmitter to be programmed.

 

4. Remove the key from the driver door lock cylinder and aim the remote transmitter at the interior rear view mirror.

 

5. Press and hold the LOCK button on the remote transmitter.

 

6. While holding the LOCK button down, press the UNLOCK button three times on the remote transmitter.

 

7. Release both buttons simultaneously.

 

8. Make sure the door lock LEDs flash five times, confirming that the remote transmitter has been programmed.

 

 

 

 

I have tried all the above on mine, and althuogh all seems ok down to point 8 - my LED on the car doesn't flash, but the LED on the remote does. I still can't open door remotely - any ideas what I am doing wrong?

[Vanbursta]

I do now Cathy, I had exactly the same problem as you when the control module was replaced, it would not go into programming mode no matter what I tried, in the end I had it reprogrammed at Fords (cost

[Vanbursta]

Sorry I just noticed you are stuck at step 8, if the light is staying on in the door and it won't accept the remote, then the remote is not putting out a signal, if you go to your local Ford they will test the remote output and it shouldn't cost anything, I bought a new one from eBay for the princely sum of

[NikpV]

requested that this be put in the faq :unsure:

[Cathy]

Sorry I just noticed you are stuck at step 8, if the light is staying on in the door and it won't accept the remote, then the remote is not putting out a signal, if you go to your local Ford they will test the remote output and it shouldn't cost anything, I bought a new one from eBay for the princely sum of

[Vanbursta]

Hmmm, the red LED should/will flash when the buttons are pressed, this does not affect the way the remote works, it simply is to let you know you have pressed a button. Did Ford test to see if it was outputting an infra red signal, the most common fault with the infra red remotes (after batteries) is that the LED no longer puts out any signal, if you ask the dealer nicely they will probably be able to test it for you for free. If it isn't putting out a signal then you can either 1) Ask a friend who is good with a soldering iron to replace the LED (They are available from Maplin, 4mm, 95nm, Infra red LED, cost approx

[Guest smithy]

thanks ppl thats really nice of you ill let you know how i get on thanks again from smithy

[Guest edward]

hi...i tried the step and same as cathy, step 8 seems to be the stumbling block. got very frustrated , so i tried to use my original key and followed the procedure. to my surprise, after step 8 , i did got the "5 flushing light from the door LED. i can conclude that the remote i got from ebay was faulty or needed new batteries. now, i will try to get one again but this time knowing tat the steps do work. there is hope after all :wacko:

[BadHair]

Just to confirm that this process definitely does work - have just reprogrammed the key for my new 1999 Galaxy Ghia X and am very, very happy :lol: that I've saved the

[big_kev]

Fraud tested it for me, sold me two new batteries for it - which they fitted FOC ( :lol: :lol:

 

But still no joy! :lol:

 

But they got your money !

Which is all Ford garages exist for.

 

Cathy, your remote is knackered.......find someone friendly and borrow their remote to see if you can programme it into your car...this will prove it is the remote.

Edited July 16, 2007 by big_kev

[Steve P]

Are there two types of key - infra red and radio?

 

Is the procedure different between the two?

 

My 99 Galaxy is definitely radio because there is no Led on the key nor any receiver near the rear view mirror.

 

Cheers

Steve

[Guest wolfie]

Fraud tested it for me, sold me two new batteries for it - which they fitted FOC ( :o :(

 

But still no joy! :o

 

But they got your money !

Which is all Ford garages exist for.

 

Cathy, your remote is knackered.......find someone friendly and borrow their remote to see if you can programme it into your car...this will prove it is the remote.

 

 

 

'Cathy' post='73990' date='Aug 15 2006, 16:23:43' either she's died or sold the car by now! either way the new batteries in the remote are most likely flat by now :o

[Cathy]

'Cathy' post='73990' date='Aug 15 2006, 16:23:43' either she's died or sold the car by now! either way the new batteries in the remote are most likely flat by now

 

Still here - alive and kicking :P - remote still doesn't work though :D

 

I haven't been able to find a friend..... sorry a friend with a galaxy of a similar age so I can check their remote on my car. :D

 

I think I am destined to open the dors with the key - great in all this rain :D

[CM2007]

I have the same problem with my remote. Have tried the procedure for early and late models (I have a 1995 model) and I can't even get it to do step one. From reading a previous post I have concluded that there was a new control unit fitted and never programmed. So my wife is destined to be left in the rain a bit longer too, especially as she has to get 3 kids in and out of the car. Worse when you are in a busy car park and you have to turn and leave the kids for a few seconds while locking the car!

 

 

Mike

[krazyneil]

hi

ive tried to reprogramme my key but i get to step 8 and the Led on the key fob flashes 5 times not the door Led

 

anybody have any more suggestions? :rolleyes: