Programming 2005 Suburban Remote Entry Fob
 

I can't program the remote keyless entry fobs for my 2005 Chevrolet Suburban.

I bought a used Suburban K2500 and it did not have remote key fobs. I bought two new fobs via the internet. They look like OEM - I purchased them on Amazon from Discount Keyless. They came with programming instructions and I've seen similar instruction on other key fob web sites and on other forums.

When I follow the instructions the car does not respond like the instructions are written.

The instructions say to hold the unlock button on the drivers door and then switch the ignition key on-off-on-off and then release the door unlock button. After that the doors should lock and unlock by themselves and that means you're in programming mode.

So when I perform that sequence my doors lock and unlock while I'm doing the on-off-on-off sequence. Consequently, I don't think I'm really in programming mode.

Any ideas?

I've seen a thread indicating you must use a scan tool. What is that? Is a scan tool the same thing as an OBD tool?

I've been considering buying an inexpensive OBD tool from Harbor Freight. Will that work for this situation.

Thanks for your help. I like to DIY if possible so I hesitate to pay a dealer $50 or more for programming.

Yes, that's the sequence I used. I even had a friend try it thinking I may have overlooked something.

About the time I get to step 7 and 8 the doors lock and unlock while my finger is still on the unlock button.

Somewhere in the 7/8 cycle I seem to recall the lights flash and the horn honks too. Then when I finish 7 and 8 and remove my finger from the button on the door nothing else happens. It doesn't seem like it's in a programming mode. I go ahead and press both buttons on the remote at that point but nothing happens.

I just went outside and checked again. I was wrong about the lights flashing - that does not happen.

When I get to steps 7 & 8 the doors lock and unlock and the horn toots twice.

All that while my finger is still on the unlock button on the driver door.

That might be an indication that something is wrong with the KES. I've followed that same procedure with my S10 and it does not do what your experiencing...

I just ran a Google search with your symptoms and cannot find any other duplicates. I'll PM someone here that might know.

More Details
 

Here's a picture of the key fob for reference

On the back of the fob it's labeled Model/FCCID: LHJ011

I even went back through all the settings on the DIC and changed them to the default factory settings I found in the owner manual. I hoped that would help but it didn't change a thing.

Well, thing of it is though, we don't even know if its the remote an issue yet. You haven't even gotten to the step of programming the remote.

I agree, just thought I would post it for reference. When I contacted the local dealer they blamed the fob I purchased on the internet web site. I reminded them that it doesn't even get into programming mode from what I can tell. That's when the dealer said they may have to use a scan tool to enter programming mode.

Does the scan tool (OBD I think) have the ability to get into programming mode?

No. Dealer Tech2's are like the only scanners/programmers that can get into those subsystems. Your typical OBD scanner only does your engine and trans.

If my memory serves me correctly by the O5 model years a tech 2 is the only way to get the body control module to go into programing mode. As far as asking your dealer about the key fob info sounds like they are not helpful. My local dealer is getting to be the same way. I've called them looking for parts and prices and asked for the part number of the idem I was shopping for and the jerk parts counter guy wouldn't give it to me cause he said and I quote "why should I do all the work of finding the right part for you to go onto the internet and buy it cheeper than what I can sell it to you for". Unfortunately I think your going to need to go to the dealer and have them try and program your key fobs for you. If they can't get them to program they probably are not the correct key fob for your truck. If you don't want to go to a dealer look for a repair shop that is AC Delco sponsored or if they specialize in GM cars and trucks they will most likely have a Tech 2 scanner.