1996 XLT OEM Key Remote Fob: Cannot Program To Match Vehicle

[YamahaRick]

I have a 1996 Explorer XLT V8 that has sat idle for most of the past five years. I would start it up and drive it a few miles every so often, to keep the battery alive. Eventually, the battery was replaced last Spring, when I discovered its eight year old DieHard battery dead.

The issue at hand for the moment is that my keyless entry and remote fobs do not work. I'm familar with reading the code on the module located near the jack, for reprogramming the keypad. And, I've tried the "turn ignition key five times" trick for the remotes ... however, the latter did not work. I do the five times trick, but do not get an acknowledgement from the vehicle.

I'd like to get my one remaining OEM remote to work, as well as a used one I just bought off of eBay. I plan to use this vehicle on a regular basis once again, and plan to give it a cosmetic makeover once the weather warms up (thanks to Joe Dirt for showing us how to make it happen!) But I'd like to get these remotes working first. I have read many threads on here regarding remotes, but none seem to fit my situation. Can anyone offer any guidance on what I should try next? TIA.

 

[shadowless127]

isnt it 7 times, not 5??

 

[YamahaRick]

isnt it 7 times, not 5??

Just for grins, I tried 7. No go. :-(

I thought I had read both here and elsewhere that it was five - and ending in the "On" position.

 

[safn1949]

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=195398

Have you read this one?

 

[YamahaRick]

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=195398

Have you read this one?

Of course. I've not yet tackled the remote keypad; still wanting to make key fobs work first.

 

[00meangreenXLT]

Of course. I've not yet tackled the remote keypad; still wanting to make key fobs work first.

eight turns of the key worked for mine, you just have to make sure you do it within 10 seconds and that you're fully turning the key from off to accessory each time...it took me like 3 tries before i got it to work...good luck

also idk if you've done this or not but if you still can't get it to work, maybe change the batteries in the fobs?

 

[YamahaRick]

also idk if you've done this or not but if you still can't get it to work, maybe change the batteries in the fobs?

Yep; brand new battery in the fob.

eight turns of the key worked for mine, you just have to make sure you do it within 10 seconds and that you're fully turning the key from off to accessory each time...it took me like 3 tries before i got it to work...good luck

Just to make sure I'm not totally stupid ... define a "turn." Is that:

1. Off - On

~or~

2. Off - On - Off


Seems like I've tried both versions, both five and eight count ... still no luck.

 

[00meangreenXLT]

Just to make sure I'm not totally stupid ... define a "turn." Is that:

1. Off - On

~or~

2. Off - On - Off


Seems like I've tried both versions, both five and eight count ... still no luck.

a "turn" should be:

Off - On

so basically you stick the key in the ignition, turn it to on, which counts as 1, turn it off and on again which is 2, off and on again would be 3, etc...

on the 8th time of doing that (checked my owners manual and it said 8), you leave the key in the on position and it should then be in programming mode

like i said, it did not work for me the first few times, but this is what ended up working for me

 

[YamahaRick]

a "turn" should be:

Off - On

so basically you stick the key in the ignition, turn it to on, which counts as 1, turn it off and on again which is 2, off and on again would be 3, etc...

on the 8th time of doing that (checked my owners manual and it said 8), you leave the key in the on position and it should then be in programming mode

like i said, it did not work for me the first few times, but this is what ended up working for me

Hmm; to me, what you are saying is 8.5 turns. I'll give that a try tomorrow.

 

[YamahaRick]

Unfortunately, still stumped here. I did learn one thing ... eight can equal five, which is actually 4.5 ... the instruction should just read insert key, and stop in the run position the fifth time.

Regardless, I never get the initial response beep of the horn. I received my new/old fob from the eBay seller today; it's identical to my OEM, so at least I'll have two to program once I figure out the issue with my vehicle. My next step will be to reset the cables of the RAP module to see if that makes any difference. Can the RAP module lose its data? I'll mention once again ... this vehicle sat idle for very long periods between starts (multiple months) over an extended period of time (now over five years).

 

[RomeovilleIL]

Shouldn't beep, it cycles the locks instead. Have to have all the doors closed when you run the 8 off-on turns, stopping in "on". Power locks will cycle, lock/unlock to indicate ready to program. The next "off" ends the programming session, so its easy to run over and think things aren't working. If your keypad is working, chances are very good that the remote locks will too.

 

[YamahaRick]

Shouldn't beep, it cycles the locks instead.

Oops; yes, that is what I meant.

If your keypad is working, chances are very good that the remote locks will too.

I've yet to dig to the RAP module to get the original code. My last programmed code stopped working a long time ago (I assume due to the long periods of non-use, including episodes where the battery was completely dead).