Remote Stopped Working
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 841
Likes: 7
From: South Pasadena, CA
Remote Stopped Working My key FOBs stopped working today all of a sudden. I checked several of them and their batteries all are over 3v, so I don't think the remotes are bad. Everything worked fine yesterday and each day before. Is there a fuse I should check, or a module that might have gone bad? The electronic door locks work from the switches in the car, and so do the windows and hatch release. I did note a slight buzzing for some time now from underhood, but I think that's part of the theater-dimming of the interior lights. Car is a 1998 Trans Am.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 345
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
The door locks are controlled by the BCM for both remote and interior switch use. Since the interior switches still work, it's safe to assume that there is no fuse blown or other wiring issues. That means the problem is with the communication between the remote and the BCM. It is remotely possible (see what I did there?) that the BCM is faulty but I would try re-matching the remotes before coming to that conclusion.
Here is the procedure for matching the remotes to the BCM:
Here is the procedure for matching the remotes to the BCM:
1. Turn the ignition key to RUN, then to OFF. This will disarm the content theft-deterrent/alarm system (if equipped).
2. Remove the RADIO fuse. This fuse is located in the main fuse block on the left side of your instrument panel.
3. Turn the ignition key from OFF to RUN three times quickly (within five seconds) ending with it in RUN on the last cycle. The vehicle will respond by locking the doors, unlocking the driver'’s door and releasing the hatch. Your transmitter is now ready to match the vehicle.
4. Press and hold the LOCK and UNLOCK buttons on the first transmitter for 15 seconds. The vehicle will respond as in Step 3.
5. Repeat Step 4 for the remaining transmitters.
6. When you have finished matching all of your transmitters, turn the ignition off and replace the RADIO fuse.
7. Check that all transmitters work by pressing the buttons.
2. Remove the RADIO fuse. This fuse is located in the main fuse block on the left side of your instrument panel.
3. Turn the ignition key from OFF to RUN three times quickly (within five seconds) ending with it in RUN on the last cycle. The vehicle will respond by locking the doors, unlocking the driver'’s door and releasing the hatch. Your transmitter is now ready to match the vehicle.
4. Press and hold the LOCK and UNLOCK buttons on the first transmitter for 15 seconds. The vehicle will respond as in Step 3.
5. Repeat Step 4 for the remaining transmitters.
6. When you have finished matching all of your transmitters, turn the ignition off and replace the RADIO fuse.
7. Check that all transmitters work by pressing the buttons.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 841
Likes: 7
From: South Pasadena, CA
Thanks WhiteBird00, I knew you would be able to figure this one out. I reprogrammed all 3 of my remotes, and they all work again now. (I have done the reprogram before, as you could guess since I have more remotes than GM provides, but I mistakenly pulled the "Radio Accessory" fuse the first time and thought the problem was worse than expected, until I realized I pulled the wrong fuse.) Car must be getting old, it's starting to forget things. 
This actually worries me a little, because I never bring my door key anywhere with me, and if it "forgets" again, I can wind up locked out of the car somewhere. I'll take it with me for now until I am confident this was an isolated incident. The only culprits I can think of, are that the passenger door lock switch was unplugged for a while, I swapped in a new hatch latch several months ago, and had to do so twice, as one had a bad switch inside and the alarm wouldn't arm, but none of these things changed around the time of the remote no longer working yesterday. I haven't even unplugged the car battery in the last month. But at least it's fixed, which is one less thing to worry about as I am getting the build back to being a daily driver.
This actually worries me a little, because I never bring my door key anywhere with me, and if it "forgets" again, I can wind up locked out of the car somewhere. I'll take it with me for now until I am confident this was an isolated incident. The only culprits I can think of, are that the passenger door lock switch was unplugged for a while, I swapped in a new hatch latch several months ago, and had to do so twice, as one had a bad switch inside and the alarm wouldn't arm, but none of these things changed around the time of the remote no longer working yesterday. I haven't even unplugged the car battery in the last month. But at least it's fixed, which is one less thing to worry about as I am getting the build back to being a daily driver.
