You are here:

Cadillac Repair/Remote Programing

Advertisement

Expert: - 11/5/2008


Question
I have a 97 Seville SLS, purchased two remotes on E-Bay, got numbers from my repair manual, go through the steps in the manual, but not working still, took the remotes to Radio Shack and they are sending the RF signal.
were do I get help?
Thanks Steve!

Answer
Hi Steve,

This is a common problem when buying universal stuff from E-bay. I would have thought they would have had a tech line you could have contacted from whoever sold you the remotes.
Since I do not know if you have the appropriate transmitters to work your system without seeing the vehicle, I will make a few suggestions that may help you.
First go to an after market alarm store and inquire as to how much it will cost to program them. Since you did not purchase from them, there will most likely be a fee, but they may be able to help you.
If in fact, the remote transmitters can't be programmed there, find a GM mechanic at any GM dealer, see if you can buy him a cup of coffee or give him a tip on the side and he may be able to program for you.
A six pack can go a long way as well---
There is also the possibility that what you bought from E-bay won't be compatible as well. I have seen this before.
The only way your are going to know is have the vehicle physically checked by people that do this for a living.
If the remotes are not compatible, it is possible the aftermarket alarm store can sell you remotes that are compatible.

Good luck!

Rob

Cadillac Repair

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Rob Painter

Expertise

Alarm system questions cannot be answered on this forum. These systems are not what I can answer. Without being physically at the vehicle and not knowing what kind of electrical service has been done on the vehicle, there is no possible way to give an accurate answer over the internet. My expertise is in Ignition/key based anti-theft systems. These issues include GM VATS (resistor chip in key blade) PASSLOCK (MRD)-ignition lock rotation based, no special ignition key and the PKIII Transponder (computer chip in key) systems. These systems are not alarm based and are integral with the starting of the engine. This is why I cannot diagnose alarm problems without physically looking at the vehicle: Alarm systems are a completely different annimal than ignition key/lock based anti-theft system. Many alarm questions come from vehicles 10 years old, and since older, many hands that had been involved over the years.I am an expert in all GM factory (ignition/key based)systems. Alarm system questions pose to many situations beyond my knowledge as to what has been done to the vehicle over the years. Some guy may have actually wired the stereo into the alarm system. Who knows? Over my past 30 years in vehicle wiring repair, I have seen unbelievable wiring disaters done by guys that consider themselves "mechanics." I have seen stereos and alarms intalled using surgical tape. I have seen modules burn up, un-fused circuits, wiring jambed between the doors and even lamp cord used for a starter kill. To answer alarm questions over the internet without examining the vehicle is like asking; What does it take to remove a dent?

Experience

Education/Credentials-ASE certified. 11 years with a GM dealer and 17 years with a repair facility dealing with only the repair of theft recovered vehicles.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.