Reprogram Remote?

[freewheeling]

I recently totaled my '98 SL2 and purchased a '97 SC2 as a replacement vehicle. Turned in the keys to the insurance company, but I still have the remotes for the SL2. The SC2 is supposedly set up for remotes, but the seller didn't have them. I wonder if it's possible to re-program the SL2 remotes so that they'll work on the SC2? Can a dealership do this for me?

[RC1488]

Yupp. You can do it or the dealer. I need to look around for the instructions though...have them here somewhere haha

[freewheeling]

Originally Posted by RC1488

Yupp. You can do it or the dealer. I need to look around for the instructions though...have them here somewhere haha

I gather that you connect terminal 8 and 4 of the "data port" with a jumper wire, then press and hold the LOCK and UNLOCK buttons on the transmitter for 30 seconds. Problem is, I can't find any information anywhere on what the deuce a "data port" is, in this context. There's nothing in the user manual index that I can see, and all I get on the internet search is a bunch of ads. Apparently, from the pictures, the data port has 16 pins arranged in a trapazoidal layout (8 up and 8 down), but where it's located I haven't a clue. And it's just way too cold to go searching around with a flashlight and a screwdriver. Maybe in 1997 they called it something other than a data port? Electrical connector block or something? I can last maybe ten minutes in this cold. Brrrrr...

[freewheeling]

Originally Posted by freewheeling

Maybe in 1997 they called it something other than a data port? Electrical connector block or something? I can last maybe ten minutes in this cold. Brrrrr...

From research it's the OBDII block, which if I recall correctly is on the left side of the steering wheel under the dash. I'm not sure what to use for jumpers, but alligator clips are probably too big. If you have any suggestions?

Man it's cold...! I think I'll wait until it warms up 30 degrees before doing this.

[freewheeling]

Just for the sake of reference, here's the link to the instructions I found. And here's the link for the OBD PCM stuff for Saturn S-Series (search page for OBD), although I couldn't find where the port is actually located. Still not clear what one should use as a jumper.

[freewheeling]

Seriously, I can't find a single thing about any "data port" on the 1997 SC2 anywhere on the internet. There are a number of discussions about the OBD II system, but they don't even bother to tell you where the connector/port is located. Stuff like this just drives me nuts. You can hardly find useful information on the internet anymore, since most of the links are for stupid ads or scams. Gee, thanks Google. Way to go.

[freewheeling]

Well, at least this site supplies the information that the port "pins" are female, which is not what one would expect from most of the descriptions. (A "pin" implies a male connector.) So a jumper might simply be a wire with bared ends. Maybe some bared pins (male) connected to alligator clips? But wire diameter is probably an issue.

I really don't understand why explicit information is so hard to come by. "Information Age" is sort of an oversell label. The precision and frequency of accurate information on just about everything has been declining for years.

[freewheeling]

Originally Posted by freewheeling

Well, at least this site supplies the information that the port "pins" are female, which is not what one would expect from most of the descriptions. (A "pin" implies a male connector.) So a jumper might simply be a wire with bared ends. Maybe some bared pins (male) connected to alligator clips? But wire diameter is probably an issue.

It worked! The ODB connector (data port) is just below and to the left of the steering column. There isn't anything covering it in my model. Place the key in the lock and leave it in the "off" position. You can jump the pins on the data port by sticking the bare end of a small guage wire (or a paper clip might work) just above where the little piece of metal is, in pins 4 and 8 on the top row. With mine the car horn gave a little "beep" indicating program mode. (I had the car door open, so that may have been why this part is a little different from the other instructions.) I then pressed the lock and unlock buttons on the keyless remote at the same time and after a few seconds heard the little "beep" again. Did the same with the second remote. Then pulled the jumper out. The remotes now lock and unlock the car.

Prior to the procedure I replaced both batteries in the remotes with a standard watch battery. You can pop them open with a small screwdriver by placing the end in the little slot.

[RC1488]

Glad you got it working!

I wasnt feeling to well lately so didnt have a chance to look for the procedure

And its called a Diagnostic Port. Youll most likely find more info on it using this name. Also a paperclip works quite well for future reference

[freewheeling]

Originally Posted by RC1488

I wasnt feeling to well lately so didnt have a chance to look for the procedure

Hope you're feeling better. "Diagnostic Port" sounds about right. I gather than you don't want to make any mistakes once you've started the reprogram cycle, because the system will lock up. So once the jumper is connected between 4 and 8 you're committed.