'98 Lumina Keyless Remote Programming - How To?

I need to find out how to program a '98 Lumina LS keyless remote. I saw a thread on a '97 Lumina LS giving instructions for that and was wondering if that will work on 98's ... I didn't want to go ahead and try it in case it screws something up! Thanks.

Paul J.

Check back here tomarrow I will dig it up at work and post it here.
Welcome to AF:)

Transmitter Programming
Perform this procedure when any of the following conditions exist:

The RKE programming connector (BLK/WHT wire) is grounded (CKT 1455).
The RCDLR is replaced.
A keyless remote transmitter is replaced.
A second (up to a total of 4) keyless remote transmitter is added.
Programming Procedure

Important
If the vehicle has more than one keyless entry transmitter, ensure that all of the keyless entry transmitters are programmed during the same programming sequence. Any keyless entry transmitters that are not programmed will not work correctly.


Open the rear compartment lid.
Pull aside the right side compartment trim in order to gain access. Refer to Compartment Side Trim Replacement - RH Rear in Body Rear End.



Use a jumper wire with alligator clips in order to ground the RKE programming connector. The door locks will lock and unlock. This action indicates that the RCDLR has entered the keyless entry transmitter programming mode.
While the programming connector is still grounded, program each of the keyless entry transmitters, one at a time. Press and hold the LOCK and UNLOCK buttons simultaneously on the first keyless entry transmitter. Hold the buttons for 10 seconds. The door locks will lock and unlock. This action indicates that the keyless entry transmitter has been programmed.
Repeat Step 4 for the remaining keyless entry transmitters. You may program as many as 4 keyless entry transmitters.
Remove the jumper wire from the RKE programming connector terminal.
Verify that the keyless entry transmitters operate correctly.
Install the right side rear compartment trim. Refer to Compartment Side Trim Replacement - RH Rear in Body Rear End.
Close the rear compartment lid.

Thank you very much ... I will try this and confirm it works.

PS: This board and your willingness to respond (and so quickly) is very refreshing. It's indicitive of the old spirit of the Internet ... that is a place where people help each other for the sake of doing it! It's kind of sad that a lot of the Internet is not like that any more, and a place where people are out to make a buck or scam others. Thanks again.

PJ

This is just to let you know that I tried the procedure provided and it works very nicely, thank you!

I would like to add a couple of points that might help others with reprogramming:

1) Despite the manuals vagueness about the location of the RKE programming connector, it is fairly easy to find. It is small black plug on the end of a black and white wire, taped to the main wiring harness with electrical tape, about half way between the base of the antenna and the rear of the car.

2) You should ensure that you have a good ground connection ... initially I didn't have a good ground and couldn't figure out why the RCDLR didn't lock and unlock the doors (i.e. go into programming mode).

One thing I would like to point out too, and it's no big deal to me, is that before the reprogramming the lights used to flash when I locked/unlocked the car, but since reprogramming they don't ... frankly I couldn't really see the point so I don't care that they no longer flash. Out of curiosity though, does anyone know how to restore this flashing?

Thanks.

PJ

Thank you very much ... I will try this and confirm it works.

PS: This board and your willingness to respond (and so quickly) is very refreshing. It's indicitive of the old spirit of the Internet ... that is a place where people help each other for the sake of doing it! It's kind of sad that a lot of the Internet is not like that any more, and a place where people are out to make a buck or scam others. Thanks again.

PJ

Thank you very much for your post

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=88682&highlight=remote+instructions

It sounds very helpfull to me

But can you explain just a bit more how could I ground it?

I just stick a wire in the plug and connect the other side of it to the body of the car?

thank you again

Well I think this forum is dead I got no answers since 2 weeks ago... but I give it another try...

I ripped of the whole back of my car in trunk (lumina 99) and couldnt find what you are talking about .. sorry but it is not clear to me as a regualr user.
What does this this RKE device look like?
how big it is?
where exactly should I look for it?

I would appreciate any help.

ok I just read it again...

-------------
Open the rear compartment lid.
Pull aside the right side compartment trim in order to gain access.
------------

This is not clear to me can any one help...

"Open the rear compartment lid." : what is rear compartment lid? where is it?

"Pull aside the right side compartment trim in order to gain access." : Gain access to what?
what color? How big?

ok I just read it again...

-------------
Open the rear compartment lid.
Pull aside the right side compartment trim in order to gain access.
------------

This is not clear to me can any one help...

"Open the rear compartment lid." : what is rear compartment lid? where is it?

"Pull aside the right side compartment trim in order to gain access." : Gain access to what?
what color? How big?

The rear compartment lid is GM's lingo for trunk lid, sorry that was a direct quote from their manual. The right side compartment trim translates to "the carpet trim that runs between the back of the back seat around the side of the trunk to the rear light cluster (on the right side as you look into the trunk). You will need to undo two moulded plastic screws that retain that carpet, and pull the edges of the carpet out from the rubber trunk trim/seal (and it goes back in quite easily too).

Gain access to what ... behind the carpet trim referred to above, you will find a white connector ... it's a little awkward to se as it is housed up under the top of the right rear fender area, behind the back seat. The connector isn't that big, say about 1 1/2" long and the wire you're looking for is the white one, if I recall.

I grounded the wire using a wire (with alligstor clips on each end), to the neareast bare metal, which was the trunk catch if I remember rightly.

I hope this helps and sorry for the delay replying ... my Automotive Forums account had expired and I had trouble logging on to reply.

PJ

The rear compartment lid is GM's lingo for trunk lid, sorry that was a direct quote from their manual. The right side compartment trim translates to "the carpet trim that runs between the back of the back seat around the side of the trunk to the rear light cluster (on the right side as you look into the trunk). You will need to undo two moulded plastic screws that retain that carpet, and pull the edges of the carpet out from the rubber trunk trim/seal (and it goes back in quite easily too).

Gain access to what ... behind the carpet trim referred to above, you will find a white connector ... it's a little awkward to se as it is housed up under the top of the right rear fender area, behind the back seat. The connector isn't that big, say about 1 1/2" long and the wire you're looking for is the white one, if I recall.

I grounded the wire using a wire (with alligstor clips on each end), to the neareast bare metal, which was the trunk catch if I remember rightly.

I hope this helps and sorry for the delay replying ... my Automotive Forums account had expired and I had trouble logging on to reply.

PJ

That was really way better... thank you so much...

I bought this remote for a friend and I told him I can do the programing to save you some money... since I have done it on couple toyota and nissan s but this lumina thingy is like a whole different world man.. lol
I will never buy anything for any one..

Again thanks a lot I will look in to the car tomorrow in the light of your new info..

Again I looked in to the car and followed your instructions

I dont know what to say... but to post a pic ... maybe some one can show me where in the picture this cable is that I should ground it

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/113991lumina_right_trunk.JPG

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/113991lumina_right_trunk_zoom.JPG


Please help!

I have this pictures in very high quality too if that is needed

I can send it via email or other ways...

I tried to post three pictures that will help you identify the plug, but the Automotive Forums web site told me I had exceeded my size limit (even thought they're small files and I have no other files stored on their site). If you would like to send me an e-mail to citpaj@yahoo.ca, I will reply with the pictures. It's unfortunate that I can't post the pictures for everyone to see.

PJ

I compressed the images to less than 80K and was able to upload them to my gallery. They are at:

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=45852

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=45853

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=45854

I hope this helps.

PJ

I compressed the images to less than 80K and was able to upload them to my gallery. They are at:

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=45852

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=45853

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=45854

I hope this helps.

PJ


Thank you again for your perfect help!

I dont think I can go wrong with those picture this I try it once I get back home from my weekend trip.

Just to make sure...

So I just stick one head of the wire in that connecter and the other head to bare metal...
or I should take the white wire out of the connecter and connect it to that one?

Again I do appreciate your sincere help!

I think I may have mislead you in one of my initial postings, in mentioning a white wire. The wire (at least on my Lumina) is blac with a white stripe. The RKE reprogramming plug that I posted the pictures of only has one black/white wire and a little spade connector inside it (as per the closeup photo's). Simply ground that wire to a good grounding point. I made up a special 'grounding wire' with a crocodile clip at each end ... one end clips onto the spade connector inside the RKE plug and the other I connected to a ground ... the ground connection must be good otherwise it won't work at all. I hope this helps.


Thank you again for your perfect help!

I dont think I can go wrong with those picture this I try it once I get back home from my weekend trip.

Just to make sure...

So I just stick one head of the wire in that connecter and the other head to bare metal...
or I should take the white wire out of the connecter and connect it to that one?

Again I do appreciate your sincere help!

Eventually did it...

It took me all together less than 1 minute this time!
WOW...

Well the pictures really helped,, but is I should add anything that would be
the connecter was hiding on top.. and I couldnt see it till I run my hand under that part (under the antenna) and pulled out the cables and the connector.

Anyways just wanted to say thanks...

I have stipped the entire loom off the main wires in the trunk from speakers all the way to brake light and I cannot find this connector. Is it possible that a base model 1997 Lumina does not have it?

Thanks
shane

I have stipped the entire loom off the main wires in the trunk from speakers all the way to brake light and I cannot find this connector. Is it possible that a base model 1997 Lumina does not have it?

Thanks
shane

Does your car have power windows and locks? If so, you should have keyless entry. If not, you dont.

It does have pwr windows/locks, but it did not come with keyless remotes when purchased new.

Hmmmmm

I have been trunk diving 3 times already...
Did anyone else find theirs in a WEIRD place?

It does have pwr windows/locks, but it did not come with keyless remotes when purchased new.

Hmmmmm

I have been trunk diving 3 times already...
Did anyone else find theirs in a WEIRD place?


If you know the vehicle didn't have this option when new, chances are your car don't have the RKE module.

I also lost the lights flashing when doors locked/unlocked. This happened to me after alternator replacement. It is not necessary, but it is handy. Does anyone know how to restore this function?

I would also like to add that I went to the local Chevy Dealer and they printed off the procedure and gave it to me after I had a battery replaced at the local auto parts store (which is why the Keyless Transmitter needed to be reprogrammed).

The GM manual had a diagram of the ground connector in question that showed a 7-pin connector about 2" wide WHICH DOES NOT EVEN EXIST ON MY 99 LUMINA! The close-up picture http://files.automotiveforums.com/ga...hp?photo=45853 (http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=45853) earlier in this thread is what should be in that thing GM calls the "service manual":screwy:. GM needs to look at who is writing their service manual diagrams and start using real pictures!

Also, can anyone define the Acronyms (abbreviations used) like "RKE", "CKT" and "RCDLR" for sanity's sake?
Thanks and great job in clarifying this mess!

RKE = Remote Keyless Entry
CKT = Circuit as in electrical circuit
RCDLR = Remote Control Door Lock Receiver...This is the module that receives the radio frequency signal from your RKE transmitter (your key fob)

And the 7-pin connector is the electrical connector that plugs into the RCDLR...not the programming connector. I do sometimes find an actual problem with a G.M. service manual, but not very often...and How many pages of information are we talking about? You have to give credit where it is due...those guys do a pretty good job with the manuals as far as I'm concerned, and I use them litterally EVERY DAY. Of course it always helps to know what you are looking at too.

Will this also work for a 1999 Lumina LS keyless remote also? Thanks!! swilkins44@peoplepc.com

Yes, 98 and 99 Lumina use the same remote & instructions.

Thanks for the info. It don't look very difficult at all.

I 've looked and don't see a plug in the trunk, is it inside the plastic covering? Would the remote plug be in a different place if the dealer had installed and not the factory . I also heard that you can do it from the pc plug under the dash if you know what pins to cross.