Jump to content

2018 Suburban Premier wont program new key

Charles Bolon
 Share

Recommended Posts

Charles Bolon New Member

Charles Bolon

Posted
Posted

I am unable to get my 2018 suburban premier to enter programming mode for they keyfob. I have followed all the tutorials online for programming a new fob with no luck. I only have 1 working keyfob so I have been using those sets of directions. I insert the emergency key into the tumbler, I turn it counter clockwise 5 times and nothing happens. I have tried it with the fob in my hand, I have tried locking the doors first, I have tried it with the door open and closed. I have tried starting the car, turning it off, and then doing it. I have tried it with the car on. I have tried it with the keyfob outside the range of the car with just the emergency key. basically I have tried every variable I can think of that would be causing it to not enter programming mode So I decided to take to to a locksmith to get the fob programmed. The locksmith hooked up their computer to my car and went through the programming process and it didn't work. He tested the key for signal and it was sending signal, we verified I had the right chip inside it and he was stumped. He said maybe the fob I got was bad, but in his career he has only seen that happen once. My worry is that there is something wrong with my suburban. Any help or tips would be greatly appreciated!

cs15dah Enthusiast

cs15dah

Posted
Posted

You may have the wrong FOB for your vehicle. Just because it looks the same as your current FOB doesn’t mean it’s the right one. The FCC ID needs to match.
 

Your best chance of success, and your sanity, is to take it to the dealer. 

Charles Bolon New Member

Charles Bolon

Posted
  • Author
Posted
3 hours ago, cs15dah said:

You may have the wrong FOB for your vehicle. Just because it looks the same as your current FOB doesn’t mean it’s the right one. The FCC ID needs to match.
 

Your best chance of success, and your sanity, is to take it to the dealer. 

I think you might be right. I thought I had matched all that stuff up but I am definitely not an expert. The dealership just wants what seems like an insane amount of money ($400+) to do up a new fob. but that might be my only choice.

GMCustomerService Senior Enthusiast

GMCustomerService

Posted
Posted
15 hours ago, Charles Bolon said:

I am unable to get my 2018 suburban premier to enter programming mode for they keyfob. I have followed all the tutorials online for programming a new fob with no luck. I only have 1 working keyfob so I have been using those sets of directions. I insert the emergency key into the tumbler, I turn it counter clockwise 5 times and nothing happens. I have tried it with the fob in my hand, I have tried locking the doors first, I have tried it with the door open and closed. I have tried starting the car, turning it off, and then doing it. I have tried it with the car on. I have tried it with the keyfob outside the range of the car with just the emergency key. basically I have tried every variable I can think of that would be causing it to not enter programming mode So I decided to take to to a locksmith to get the fob programmed. The locksmith hooked up their computer to my car and went through the programming process and it didn't work. He tested the key for signal and it was sending signal, we verified I had the right chip inside it and he was stumped. He said maybe the fob I got was bad, but in his career he has only seen that happen once. My worry is that there is something wrong with my suburban. Any help or tips would be greatly appreciated!

This is certainly not what we like to hear, Charles Bolon.  Please know, customer satisfaction is extremely important to us. Our team would be more than happy to take a closer look into the concerns with your 2018 Suburban Premier. To do so, please send an email to [email protected] with ATTN: Charles Bolon/GM trucks in the subject line.

Please include your contact information, VIN, a brief description of your concern, and the name of your preferred dealership. We look forward to hearing from you. To learn more about GM’s privacy policy, please visit https://www.gm.com/privacy-statement.html.
 
Privacy Statement | General Motors
Your privacy is important to General Motors. This Privacy Statement addresses the personal information GM collects and how GM handles that personal information.
www.gm.com

  • Haha 1
cs15dah Enthusiast

cs15dah

Posted
Posted

Oof, don’t fall for this. It’s a weak attempt at ‘customer support.’
 

The best way of finding the right fob is taking it apart (there are videos online) like you’re replacing thr battery. Incr apart, look for the FCC ID number printed somewhere on the circuit board. It’ll be in very, very small print. Then buy a fob with the same FCC ID number.

Charles Bolon New Member

Charles Bolon

Posted
  • Author
Posted
On 8/24/2022 at 10:50 AM, cs15dah said:

Oof, don’t fall for this. It’s a weak attempt at ‘customer support.’
 

The best way of finding the right fob is taking it apart (there are videos online) like you’re replacing thr battery. Incr apart, look for the FCC ID number printed somewhere on the circuit board. It’ll be in very, very small print. Then buy a fob with the same FCC ID number.

Yeah. I agree. I already talked to a dealership and they want over $400 for a new programmed key. I did purchase one that had the right chipset in it with matching FCC ID. For some reason my suburban just won't enter the programming mode. No matter what I try. 😕

newdude Senior Enthusiast

newdude

Posted
Posted (edited)
On 8/18/2022 at 6:09 PM, Charles Bolon said:

I am unable to get my 2018 suburban premier to enter programming mode for they keyfob. I have followed all the tutorials online for programming a new fob with no luck. I only have 1 working keyfob so I have been using those sets of directions. I insert the emergency key into the tumbler, I turn it counter clockwise 5 times and nothing happens. I have tried it with the fob in my hand, I have tried locking the doors first, I have tried it with the door open and closed. I have tried starting the car, turning it off, and then doing it. I have tried it with the car on. I have tried it with the keyfob outside the range of the car with just the emergency key. basically I have tried every variable I can think of that would be causing it to not enter programming mode So I decided to take to to a locksmith to get the fob programmed. The locksmith hooked up their computer to my car and went through the programming process and it didn't work. He tested the key for signal and it was sending signal, we verified I had the right chip inside it and he was stumped. He said maybe the fob I got was bad, but in his career he has only seen that happen once. My worry is that there is something wrong with my suburban. Any help or tips would be greatly appreciated!

 

 

You need to go to the dealer.  2017 and onwards you NEED to have 2 already programmed fobs to start with to use the learn procedure you are using.  If you only have ONE original key, the dealer has to to a delete and add programming procedure so you take both keys with you, they will delete the original and then program both back in.  

 

Link below explaining the change made:

 

UPDATE: Quick Learn Procedures for Programming 2017MY Keys and Key Fobs – TechLink (gm-techlink.com)

 

Quote

TIP: If only one learned key is present, SPS must be used to add additional keys. The quick learn procedure will not complete with only one learned key. Using only one key for the quick learn procedure will cause the theft security light to illuminate when attempting to start the vehicle.

 

Edited by newdude
  • Like 1
cs15dah Enthusiast

cs15dah

Posted
Posted

Same thing with my Ford. I bought vehicle with only one key, so paid Ford dealer $480 for a second key. Then bought a third key off Amazon and programmed it in myself. Now if I lose a key, I still have two, and can program more. 

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • taze
      I love my truck but

      By taze · Posted

      Not exactly what I was hoping for, but I do like it. I wonder if they'll bring back Smokey Quartz Metallic? 🤔 https://gmauthority.com/blog/2026/06/here-is-the-all-new-2027-gmc-sierra-1500/
    • tjonesdfw
      2027 GMC Sierra: Official Discussion

      By tjonesdfw · Posted

      Whoever greenlighted the work truck matte black front bumpers on every trim but the AT4X should be fired!  I was hoping that was an AI mistake, but just realized they were on every model of the 2027 Silverado too.     Some parts of the interior do look premium, but the Denali Ultimate dashboard looks like an afterthought.  At least they appear to have lost the microfiber the high end Silverado models showed, but the '27 High Country dash looks better than the Denali.  
    • bluev8
      Intermittent no-code issues on 2022.5+ V8 trucks — what did the shop fail to capture?

      By bluev8 · Posted

      New member here. I am researching a read-first event-recorder concept for late-model GM V8 trucks. This is not a sales post. There is no product link, price, preorder, or mailing list. I am trying to determine whether the underlying problem is real before building anything.   Has your truck ever had a brief problem such as: - rough running or a momentary misfire - an oil-pressure warning or unusual pressure event - reduced power or a brief stall - a U-code or lost-communication problem - a symptom that disappeared before the dealer or independent shop could reproduce it   If so, I would appreciate the following details: - year, model, engine, and mileage - what happened and under what conditions - whether a DTC and useful freeze-frame data were stored - whether the shop was able to reproduce it - what the eventual confirmed repair was, if known - what additional information would have helped the diagnosis   The concept being evaluated is a removable leave-in recorder that continuously retains a rolling window from before and after an event. It would not tune, reflash, clear codes, or change the vehicle calibration.   I am also not claiming that it could predict lifter failure or see every internal ECM variable.   The real question is whether continuous event history would add enough useful evidence beyond freeze frame, GDS2, and existing scan tools — or whether it would simply be another unnecessary gadget.   For owners and technicians, which problem would make something like this genuinely useful: 1. intermittent misfire or AFM/DFM-related behavior 2. oil-pressure events 3. lost communication or electrical faults 4. none of the above Please be blunt. Negative feedback is just as useful as positive feedback.
    • Atlas
      2027 GMC Sierra: Official Discussion

      By Atlas · Posted

      No tears over the SLE and SLT trim levels disappearing but I kind of loathe the "Elevation" name. It's a truck--skip the elegance.   The slab-dashboard design is decidedly different. Almost has a Hummer flavor to it. "Professional Grade" seems to be leaning very white-collar, tech-driven these days moreso than blue-collar, functional design.   The Silverado would be my choice between the two new trucks. Pleased with the engine lineup in both. The GMC is a little "too much" for a truck, IMO, and the Denali borders on ridiculous - but I do know there are buyers for luxury trucks out there. It's just not my speed.
    • GMCustomerService
      Electrical problem

      By GMCustomerService · Posted

      Your safety is of utmost importance, @joshua1221, and we understand the importance of having all your lights working in your truck. If you have not already, we highly encourage you to bring your concerns to the attention of your local GM dealer. They are in the best position to diagnose your concerns as well as confirm the compatibility of the mirrors with your truck. Additionally, we would like the opportunity to explore any way we may be of assistance. When you have a moment, please visit: https://s.gm.com/support-request and fill out the support request form with all pertinent details. This form helps our team gather the right information and ensures your request is routed appropriately.

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...