2001 Cavalier: Remote Keyless Entry Not Working

Hello Forums.

I own a 2001 Chevy Cavalier LS which has remote entry. The system use to work, and I used it alot and one day it just stopped working. I took it to the dealership, and the remote to the car still works, and they concluded that there's something wrong with the reciever inside of the vehicle.

Where is this reciever located? is i located inside the ECM or BCM? Or is it it's own unit.

BCM. Did they test the remote with the little receiver box they set the remote on and press a button and see if the receiver beeps back? If so, that test is invalid. I have seen at least dozens of remotes pass that test but would not program. Some needed a new battery. Some needed to be replaced. If they tried programming a NEW remote to the car and it would not program, then there may be a BCM concern.

BCM. Did they test the remote with the little receiver box they set the remote on and press a button and see if the receiver beeps back? If so, that test is invalid. I have seen at least dozens of remotes pass that test but would not program. Some needed a new battery. Some needed to be replaced. If they tried programming a NEW remote to the car and it would not program, then there may be a BCM concern.


They tried to connect to the computer and reprogram the remote, and the console errored out everytime. That's why they said the reciever in the car is bad.

Are you sure it can still be the remote?

When you say "errored out" did they mean that programming failed with YOUR remote? If a remote is faulty and the BCM is in key fob program mode, if the fob is not recognized in a certain time period (30 seconds or so) the display will show "programming failed, try again?) or some similar message. If they tried to program a NEW remote, still in the plastic, to verify your system works before giving you an estimate on a replacement remote, then you may have a BCM issue. If they did NOT try to program a KNOWN GOOD remote to verify system operation then yes, it may be just your fob that is faulty. On some the battery clips break off the circuit board (which can be soldered back on), some just fail electrically.

When you say "errored out" did they mean that programming failed with YOUR remote? If a remote is faulty and the BCM is in key fob program mode, if the fob is not recognized in a certain time period (30 seconds or so) the display will show "programming failed, try again?) or some similar message. If they tried to program a NEW remote, still in the plastic, to verify your system works before giving you an estimate on a replacement remote, then you may have a BCM issue. If they did NOT try to program a KNOWN GOOD remote to verify system operation then yes, it may be just your fob that is faulty. On some the battery clips break off the circuit board (which can be soldered back on), some just fail electrically.

He said that they could not enter programming mode through their console.

It sounds like you do have a bad BCM unfortunately. If you were at a dealership they should have the proper scan tool (Tech 2) to perform special functions and enter programming mode. If the power door locks function normally from the inside of the car, and the BCM would not enter programming mode and cycle the locks, the next step is to check the connections and if they are good replace & program the BCM. Your BCM is behind the carpet of the lower left side kick panel if you want to wiggle the connections and make sure they are fully seated and try to operate your remote. Make sure it is dry behind the carpet.