1997 Saturn Keyless Remote Not Working

1997 SATURN
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ROBINMB
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  • 2 POSTS
My remote for my key-less entry is not working. I have put in a new battery, still not working. What can I do now? :(
May 21, 2006 at 4:56 AM
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PEPPERMRJ
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 1,158 POSTS
I have been told that the internal contacts become corroded and can be cleaned. I have yet to try and take one apart and see though.

Good luck and let us know. :)
May 21, 2006 at 2:07 PM
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ROBINMB
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I had to take it to the Saturn Dealer to get it fixed! $275.00 later and the problem was corrected.
May 22, 2006 at 11:43 AM
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VERNK
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  • 4 POSTS
According to my manual (1998 Saturn SL2) you can synchronize; Hold the lock and unlock buttons at the same time for five to seven seconds. The horn will chirp four times and the dome light will blink once during each chirp. Something to try anyway 8) Vernk
May 31, 2006 at 12:28 PM
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ZIPGUN77
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  • 1 POST
I have a 2002 SC1. My remote Key-less entry was completely unresponsive. Reprogramming did not work. I opened the key-fob and rubbed a pencil eraser over the contacts inside and over the back side of the battery and, viola! Works fine now.
Sep 14, 2010 at 3:52 AM
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FOBFIX
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I did the reset mentioned above from outside the car. It did not chirp. The remote still does not work. I then put the key in the ignition and turned the car on. Turned it off, tried again, and it worked.

I had replaced the battery a couple times over a few days, cleaned the contacts, still nothing. After doing this routine, however, then turning the car on, it works again.



Sep 26, 2018 at 6:47 AM
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STRAILER
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 55,628 POSTS
Great addition to this thread! Please feel free to help out whenever you are on the site. :)

Cheers, Ken
Sep 26, 2018 at 7:43 AM

Suggested Repair

Clean the key fob's internal contacts and the battery surfaces with a pencil eraser, then resynchronize by holding lock and unlock together for five to seven seconds until the horn chirps. If it does not chirp, cycle the ignition on and off and try the sync again. If it still fails, have a Saturn dealer repair or reprogram the remote.

Conversation Summary

A 1997 Saturn owner reported that the keyless remote still did not work after a new battery. An expert suggested corroded internal contacts might need cleaning. Other owners reported success after dealer service, holding lock and unlock to resynchronize, cleaning the fob contacts and battery with a pencil eraser, or cycling the ignition and repeating the reset.

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