RKE problem/question

[grinders_18]

Ok, so I have a key fob finally and I want to program it. I foudn the black wire with the connector on it as stated, and when I ground it out (i.e., connected a wire from the metal inside the connector to a screw), nothing happens. I didn't hear the door locks cycle. Is there possibly a fuse I could have blown? To my knowledge the past owner hadn't touched the RKE system, so I beleive it's still intact. In fact, he mentioned that he had lost the remote, leading me to beleive he had had it in the past and it would have worked for him.

Just making sure I have the right wire...I don't have a power antenna anymore, but the correct wire runs along the inside of the quarter panel, and is attached to the conglomeration of wires that hides behind the carpeting by the tail light, correct? Is there a fuse for the RKE that could have blown? My power locks work fine from the door panels, but I can't get the remote programmed. There was a really good diagram/instruction page somewhere that I cannot find neither on here nor the w-body page. Maybe someone can re-explain it?

Please help!

[R Dubya]

it is possible and very likely that the RKE module is toast. 

I remember reading about this, and I've done it a few times to my own, but here's my take.  One day I came out of work and my trunk was open.  The heat from the sun will damage the receiver underneath the trim panel on the rear deck.  Apparently it toasted mine and then popped the trunk for me.  Nice.

If you are not getting the lock/unlock action then there are a few steps to take.  Obviously you are using alligator type clips, IIRC there is only one wire in there to ground.  Try different spots to ground, make sure you have a good connection, and if it's not cycling then you can almost be guaranteed the module is shot.   

Or you can start taking the entire back of the car apart to expose the module and make sure it is plugged in.  Best bet would be to find or borrow a known working unit, take it apart, and then try it again with that one.  If that doesn't work, then you either have bad wiring or another bad module. 

just went out and looked for ya, my wire is black and yellow with a plastic end and one male spade in the center.  clip onto that and then onto anything metal and you should hear the locks cycle.  if not I would bet the house on the receiver module being bad.

good luck.

[grinders_18]

Here's the thing that makes me believe the RKE unit is NOT toast: whenever I close my doors, the door locks cycle themselves after like 3 or 4 seconds.

[jerry455]

i ended up buying a new module from a freind at the pontiac dealer. i tried resoldering the board a couple of times and it would work sometimes  and then it wouldn't. finally i bought a new module and it works perfect.

[pontiac6ksteawd]

The door cycles you are hearing has nothing to do with the RKE system. Thats the lock mechanism for the seat belts.

Your RKE is toast in my humble opinion.

[grinders_18]

So...where do I find the shitty unit? LOL

[R Dubya]

you have to remove the entire back seat asm.  it is located inside of the car, not the trunk, on the rear deck near the pass side speaker. 

I'm pretty sure theres a writeup on it here somewhere.

[grinders_18]

So, I can't access it from the trunk?

[pontiac6ksteawd]

nope. Its kinda a pain in the ass to get to really.. When you put it back in, I imagine you could relocate it to the trunk..

[grinders_18]

SO....lol do I need to remove the seats and everything then? I would assume if it was located near the rear passenger's speaker I could get to it from the trunk...unless it is somewhere completely out of sight.

[pontiac6ksteawd]

Its on top of the rear deck panal. On top of the metal, below the rear carpeted area. Its does sit right next to the speaker, on top of the panal. I took out my seats completely, the side trim, speaker covers, and was finally able to get at it.