If you have the 1996 VHS video that came with the car new, it has a section that visually shows you how to program the PKE.

 

Thanks, 93. I've been trying to figure out this PKE and disable that damned thing. I guess I wouldn't mind it locking the car when I walk out of range if I could stop the damned horn from beeping--that I really dislike. Any ideas on the disabling just the horn thing?

 

My neighbors must think I am CRAZY, first a couple of weeks ago, he see's me shaking my hand in the air like crazy(trying to get codes), then on Sunday when I thought I had just found PKE problem(NOT). I kept walking back and forth to my car(trying in vain to program the fob)!
I am afraid to work on the PKE system anymore, he might call have a nice pretty white jacket given to me!!

 

My buddy bought a new PKE fob when he bought his 96, previous owner told him he lost it. Never could get the new one to program. While doing a good cleaning, he found an old fob had slid between the seat back and cushon of the drivers seat. Removed it and was able to program the new fob.

 

That is so true, it will not program two at once.

 

Interesting, the "lost" FOB was blocking the activation of the new FOB. What are the symptoms when trying to program the FOB and the FOB is near or in the car?

 

the light on the dash doesnt stop flashing

 

Hmmmm, I get the opposite effect. The light never flashes.

 

I did a test last nite. I left the fob in the car with the system "armed". I shut the door and eventually the fob went to sleep and the doors locked and the horn chirped. I tried to open the door with the key but the system is so sensitive that I could never get the door open before the fob woke up and the doors tried to unlock, even though they were already unlocked using the key. I then turned the system off, locked the doors and waited a while until I was sure the fob had gone to sleep. I opened the door with the key and turned the ignition on and I noticed that the passive key entry lite on the information center did not turn on. I went through the steps to program and could not get the passive key entry lite to flash. I turned the ignition off, removed the fob out of range and tried to program again. The passive lite did not come on when I turned the ignition on but it did come on when I went through the programming steps. My guess is that there is a fob somewhere in the car, the system is turned off, and it is preventing you from entering program mode. Flame suit on!

 

I just thought of what may be an easy way to test the theory that there may be a lost fob in the car, but you will have to be very careful not to wake up the fob while doing this. Leave the key in the ignition switch, in the unlock position with the window rolled down. Make sure your new fob is out of range. After enough time has elapsed for the "phantom fob" to go to sleep (2 mins), reach in through the window and turn the key on, without jiggling the car. Press the trip/odo twice and then hold the fuel info button down, hopefully the PKE lite will come on. If it does, there's an old fob in the car. If not, looks like the dealership.

 

I had a similar problem.

I couldnt get the light to come on at all.
Light was good. all wiring and fuses checked out.
I just couldnt find a problem....gave up and Replaced that PKE module behind the DIC and solved my problem.

 

danelectro, what happened!!
Did you test yet??

 

The only problem with that theory is that with the key in the ignition and you lock and close the doors, the system senses the key and automatically unlock the doors.

 

Life got hectic so the car has just been in the garage. I'm hoping to play with it this Sat.

 

My theory presumes that the system is turned off so the system does not automatically lock the doors. Reaching in through the window and turning the key on, then getting into programming mode will eliminate the possibility of shaking the car and waking up the phantom fob. It beats tearing the car apart only to discover there is no lost fob. Hey, it was only a suggestion.

 

I'm really hestitant to respond because I don't want any appearance of arguing or implying something like that. The intent is only to ensure those reading agree on its operation functions before diagnosing the problem. There have been some good suggestions.

But from my reading in the service manual on system operation, I understand its operation to be something similar to the following.

PKE has basically four modes, they are:

Transmitter Not in range, receiver asleep. In this mode the PKE receiver does not have a transmitter in range and has gone into a power down state. The receiver has not seen a transmitter for 5 seconds, and is waiting for another transmitter.

Transmitter Not in range, receiver awake. In this mode, the PKE receiver does not have a transmitter in range but has not gone into power down state. This mode occurs when the transmitter has left the range, but the receiver has not timed out, due to a door reamining open, a key being in the ignition or if 10 seconds have not elapsed. The passive locking functions originate from this mode.

Transmitter In range, Key Not in ignition. This mode is reached when a tansmitter is brought into range while the ignition key is out of the ignition. If the passive mode has been enabled, the passive unlock features are accessed thrugh this mode. THe passenger door unlock feature and the hatch release feature are also accessive through this mode.

Transmitter In range, Key In ignition. This mode occurs when the PKE receiver has recognized a transmitter and the ignition key is inserted. When this mode occurs, passive locking and unlocking features are disabled. The motion sensor feature, which unlocks the doors will still work. Most of the incidental features (i.e., programming, diagnostics, and selection of all doors unlock or just passenger door unlock) are accessed from this state. (BTW I think this is a typo in the manual, I think they mean 'just driver's door unlock' because I'm only aware of both doors unlock or just driver's door unlock.) If the key is in the ignition switch, either with the ignition ON or OFF, the PKE system will disable all passive lock and unlock functions except for the key-in ignition unlock feature. If the key is in the ignition, the manual controls on the transmitter will be functional oonly when the ignition is OFF.


Ok now other aspects of the system are UTD Universal Theft Deterrent. PKE sends signals to arm and disarm UTD. The resistor in the key is part of the UTD.

In the last mode, second to last sentence discusses the 'key-in ignition unlock feature'. The only note in this section is that is says "A valid transmitter DOES NOT have to be in range." I understand that to mean that if one is or is not in range (sending out a signal) no matter, with the key in the ignition and door locked and shut they will auto unlock.

Unless the PKE system is malfunctioning, it should command the last know condition (unlock driver door or both doors) when a key is in the ignition and the doors are closed and locked. From what I'm reading it does not seem to have any relationship with passive mode or non-passive mode lock/unlock function. My understanding on the passive/non-passive mode is enabled or disabled by holding the door button down on the transmitter with the key out of the ignition.

A transmitter sends out a coded signal for 21 seconds after it is moved. As long as there is power to the vehicle the receiver listens constantly for a transmitter.

So I would think that just waiting and not allowing any movement in the vehicle for at least 21 seconds ensures the "hidden" transmitter is silent now.

Also something to note about bulb tests and when it doesn't illuminate. If the passive unlock/lock feature has been disabled, the PASSIVE KEYLESS ENTRY telltale lamp will NOT illuminate for bulb check upon ignition ON.

So if your passive mode is disabled, and you turn the key to ON to do a bulb test it won't illuminate. It must be in the enabled mode for this to test. I believe I remember reading earlier in the thread someone tested with a known good bulb and it still was not illuminating. So this may be a partial answer to your system diagnosis, in that your passive unlock/lock mode is disabled.

To resolve the functioning issues, the troubleshooting procedures need to be followed so that components and functionality can be isolated properly. I hope this helps, and does not imply an argument.

 

Just FYI, I went out and tested the functionality of Key-In Ignition Unlock feature. First with the system in enabled Passive mode, I rolled down the driver's window turned the ignition to off, locked the doors and closed it. The moment it closes it unlocks.

I then disabled the Passive mode, and repeated the same steps again the moment the door closed it unlocks. However, in the passive mode disabled test when it unlocked the door it also turned on the inside lights. It did not do this in the passive enabled mode.

 

Please remember that if your key in ignition chime isn't working you can try to program the thing all day and it will never flash or pick up the signal.

The PKE receiver has an input directly from that ignition chime switch. It needs to see that the key is in in order for it to access any program or test mode. Just because you turn the ignition on doesn't mean the receiver is in a ready/program state.

I don't think "disabled mode" would prevent it from programming or seeing the self test light. The whole point of programming is to start from zero.

 

"Also, when the passive feature has been disabled, the PASSIVE KEYLESS ENTRY telltale lamp will not illuminate for bulb check upon ignition ON."

This part is directly from the service manual. Since I needed to reset my oil monitor anyway, I just verified this.

If the passive mode is enabled, when you turn the key to ON the telltale lamp illuminates and clears with all the other selftest lamps.

If the passive mode is disabled, when you turn the key to ON the telltale lamp does NOT illuminate.

 

That's interesting. I obviously missed that part. Good job!

With all the PKE tips delveloped in this thread and others it's hard to imagine someone not being able to diagnose one.