Programming Key Fobs

[bruceb58]

Going to pick up my new truck Tuesday. On my F-150, it was simple to add multiple key fobs and it is easy to do it yourself. Is the same going to be true for my new 2024 2500HD Denali with push button start?

 

If it is doable, is there a procedure online that people use and actually works? I did a little bit of searching but didn't come up with anything that positively works.

[Another JR]

You can pull up the owners manual on line and read the procedure for programming additional fobs. 
 

https://www.gmc.com/support/vehicle/manuals-guides

 

If you buy the extra fobs as accessories that are part of the car transaction, ask the dealer to agree to set them up for you for free. 

[bruceb58]

3 hours ago, Another JR said:

You can pull up the owners manual on line and read the procedure for programming additional fobs. 
 

https://www.gmc.com/support/vehicle/manuals-guides

 

If you buy the extra fobs as accessories that are part of the car transaction, ask the dealer to agree to set them up for you for free. 

I looked...nothing in there. They say to bring to your dealer.

[Another JR]

2 hours ago, bruceb58 said:

I looked...nothing in there. They say to bring to your dealer.

I just checked the manual for my 2021. It has a procedure for programming keys to the truck, but says see the dealer for programming new fobs to the truck. 

[bruceb58]

6 minutes ago, Another JR said:

I just checked the manual for my 2021. It has a procedure for programming keys to the truck, but says see the dealer for programming new fobs to the truck. 

2024 manual has no procedure.

[bruceb58]

UPDATE:

 

Spoke with a locksmith and GM made this impossible to do other than at a dealer starting in 2024 for most models and a few GMC models in 2023.

 

They said that, eventually, the code will get cracked and aftermarket programmers may work but that may be awhile.

 

GM is not alone apparently. Same issue with Ford.

Edited July 1, 2024 by bruceb58

[rdonarski]

I lost a FOB for my 2003 Honda Accord many years ago. Bought one over Ebay that said it included programming instructions because I didn't want to pay the Honda price. Then I had to find a locksmith that could cut it. After I got it cut, I went through the programming instructions. Turns out it only programmed the doors, windows and trunk. Did not program starting. Honda was the only option for that. Had to take all my keys and go to them. By the time I was done, I had spent about the same amount of money Honda charged for the whole process and went thru a lot of grief and running around.

[ManyCamaroz]

I had to replace a FOB on my '21 (luckily under warranty) they had to program and I think it was about $400. So it is a GM trick and explains why a dealer needs to program it. Sounds like a trick that Harley-Davidson would pull. 

Edited July 4, 2024 by ManyCamaroz

[bruceb58]

2 hours ago, ManyCamaroz said:

I had to replace a FOB on my '21 (luckily under warranty) they had to program and I think it was about $400. That explains why there is no aftermarket available. Sounds like a Harley-Davidson trick. 

'23 and earlier you could do it yourself if you had two keys and wanted to add additional.

[Jim HL]

On my 2020 2500 hd I followed the instructions in the manual to add a new aftermarket key fob. But it will not start the truck. Everything else on the fob works (locks, tail gate and remote start). Anyone else have this issue?

[davester]

You MIGHT be able to do it yourself w a J2534 obdii-usb passthrough device, a windows laptop and a subsciption to acdelcotds for your vin (about $50/2 years).

 

It'll be cheaper to get your dealer to do it, if you just buy everything for this job, but the setup is also useful for diagnosing your truck using GDS2 software, as it's also the dealer-level tool for doing it.

[GMCustomerService]

On 9/3/2025 at 8:38 AM, Jim HL said:

On my 2020 2500 hd I followed the instructions in the manual to add a new aftermarket key fob. But it will not start the truck. Everything else on the fob works (locks, tail gate and remote start). Anyone else have this issue?

We're happy to troubleshoot with you, Jim! So that we can take a look at your vehicle build and answer your questions, please email us your full VIN at [email protected]. We are keeping an eye out for this! By sending us a message, you consent to the information you provide being monitored and recorded by GM or those acting on GM’s behalf, subject to the GM Privacy Statement: https://www.gm.com/privacy-statement.