I’ve been an automotive locksmith for over 35 years, and keyless remotes have been around for about half of that time. Through the years, I have learned that only two rules apply when it comes to working with keyless remotes:

There are no rules.

When in doubt, see rule number one

Admittedly that sounds like a joke, but it’s really not. There are so many factors involved in doing business in the remote field that it makes herding cats seem easy by comparison. I could never cover everything about remotes in the space I have available here, but I will try to address the basics of automotive remotes.

System Types

Basically, automotive remote systems come down to two major types: factory installed and after-market. By far the easiest to deal with and most common are the factory installed systems. With these systems, you have some hope of consistency, and when all else fails, the consumer can usually go to the dealer for replacement remotes. The after-market systems are much more complex, with many options and as many different types of installations as there are installers out there.

The real problem comes in when the owner has already lost all of the remotes to the vehicle and you have to determine if the vehicle was equipped with a factory system or an after-market system. Sometimes this job alone can make you feel like a detective without any clues. The good news is that keyless remotes are now standard equipment on the vast majority of new vehicles, and most after-market systems are confined to older vehicles.

With either type of system, your job will be easier if the customer still has a remote – even a non-working remote. A lot of information can be obtained from even the remains of a remote that has been run over by a car or rescued from a watery grave. If you have no remote, your job will be a lot harder, and the first question that you need to answer is: “Was the system factory installed or aftermarket?”