the battery in my factory remoted died, the dealer wants 50bucks to reprogram the damn thing, can anybody tell me how to re-program the remote or where i can find out how to? thanks all in advance

When I had to re-program mine in my '98 RS there was a section in the owner's handbook I referred to which told me how to do it.
Off hand, I can't remember how to do it but I will rack my brain and post here if I do remember.
I will also look it up in my 2003 Impreza handbook to see if that's similar.

I do recall it's got to do with a button under the dash on the left side of the steering column.

alright thanks
this isnt my car, its one of my teachers, ill seeif she still has her book, if not ill keep looken

CODE ALARM SYSTEM Used on:
Impreza 1996-2001
Legacy 1995-1999
Forester 1998-2000

Battery GP-23A

Lock:* Left button will lock all doors. Double chirp indicates locked.
Unlock: Right button will unlock driver's door only. Hold unlock button 60 seconds it will unlock all doors including rear gate. Single chirp indicated unlock.
If the car chirps or lights flash 4x the alarm was triggered.
Panic. Press both buttons to activate emergency honk and flashing lights.
Valet mode: With optional alarm only Press the red alarm button on the left of the steering wheel. The light will quickly double flash. To re-set back to normal mode, press the red alarm light button again *

Battery failed and lights flashing?
Parking lights will flash when the vehicle's battery is disconnected and reconnected.
To stop lights from flashing, either:
Press remote transmitter “UNLOCK” button once OR turn the ignition switch to the “ON” position and press programming button for one second (see below).
The vehicle interior (courtesy) light and door open warning light (DOOR AJAR indicator) will then illuminate for 60 seconds when the ignition is turned off, or until the doors are locked with the remote transmitter. Yes, the dashboard instrument panel lights will flash when the parking lights flash.


Programming or Overriding the Alarm when you have lost the remote
Open driver's door.
Turn ignition key to 'On'
Press and *hold programming button* in (see diagram, button under dashboard)
After 15 seconds the the door locks will cycle 3 times. Do not release Programming button
Press lock (left) button the remotes to be programmed. The door locks will cycle one time.
Exit programming mode by releasing Programming button under dashboard and turning key to off. *



Code Alarm Programming Button is under dashboard on the kick panel by the driver's left knee, left of the steering column. If you can't find it, it might still be tucked up in the wiring harness higher up in that same general area. The botton is recessed in a plastic ring (see diagram).
This button must be pressed while programming remotes or if the battery was disconnected and the lights are flashing.

onblsht thanks for the excellent write up