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How to program a new key fob for Alfa Romeo Stelvio

33K views 40 replies 17 participants last post by  fatherof2  
#1 ·
Every time I buy a new car, I buy a spare key fob and program it myself. That way, if I lose one in the future, I don't have to send $500-$1000 to the dealer. A lot of the cars require two original key fobs to program a new one.

Anyone knows how to program a key fob for our Stelvio? I did a lot of research on the internet, and below is the only info I can find. I tried it, but did not work. I'm not sure what they mean when referring to "the button".

Thanks.


Quote:
Originally Posted by SpiderMJ View Post
True if you have an existing fob:

1.
Arm and disarm the alarm sixteen times or until the alarm stops responding, alarm now in program mode.....
2. Once in program mode press the button of the new remotes(s), press the button of the original remote(s). This must be done within 8 seconds of each action. If 8 seconds pass without any actions the alarm will automatically exit programming mode and you will have to start from step 1.
3. Wait 8 seconds to exit learning mode.
4. Test remotes.

Otherwise you need code card. If you don't have anything you need the alarm unit recoded.
 
#5 ·
Lessons Learned....

Lost my fob on a business trip a few weeks ago. Bought a replacement on ebay for $50 (should have known better) that seemed legit, but dealer said is was already programmed for a specific vehicle and could not be used again. I was able to return, but drove 200 miles and paid $100 to find out it woud not to work. Now need to fork out $450 for a new fob and emergency key.

Not good.....
 
#22 ·
HI Jon, I agree with you. Its BS!!! They told me the same thing. Sad part, they "dealer" is the only people who can program it. There is a cost for remote fob, cost for actual key knife and a fee for programing it. You do the math $$$$. You would think a used fob key can be re-programmed for half the cost?
 
#9 ·
Several weeks ago I went to the lake harriet kite fly (kite flying, in winter, on a frozen lake)

After a few hours my visit was cut short when I realized that I had somehow
lost my Alfa FOB. I packed up my kites and headed to my vehicle.
I had activated my Tile locating device as I retraced my steps.
At the very least I had to wait for a locksmith (the spare set was
in the vehicle)..and at worst, the cost of a new FOB and programming ($$$).

I am happy to report that when I returned to my vehicle, my keys had been found and placed
on the windshield. My faith in humanity restored.

I mean had I found a set of keys to an
alfa I think that I would be OBLIGATED to take it for a short test ride!
 
#11 ·
I did it and it didnt work . before 16 times my car stopped responding , I assume thats program mode , now clear that if:
1- I need to press and hold buttons from each key fab or just press and release ?
20 and which particular one ?
Need better detail if you would please .
 
#17 ·
I did it and it didnt work . before 16 times my car stopped responding , I assume thats program mode , now clear that if:
1- I need to press and hold buttons from each key fab or just press and release ?
20 and which particular one ?
Need better detail if you would please .
FYI for everyone here, just got an aftermarket (ebay) key fob reprogramed. The security key code that you have to get from your AR dealer service is a 4 digit code (i think 4) but is finite. It expires within an hour (maybe 30 minutes) after the code is issued paired with your VIN. So if you want to DIY this with MES then you better be near your dealer once you get the code or get it over the phone from your great and understanding dealer because after that period of time the code will expire and explode into a cloud of green, white and red dust.
So, what's the process, can you expand more on how to obtain the fob and how to program it and where do you punch in the 4 digit code?
 
#12 ·
Every time I buy a new car, I buy a spare key fob and program it myself. That way, if I lose one in the future, I don't have to send $500-$1000 to the dealer. A lot of the cars require two original key fobs to program a new one.

Anyone knows how to program a key fob for our Stelvio? I did a lot of research on the internet, and below is the only info I can find. I tried it, but did not work. I'm not sure what they mean when referring to "the button".

Thanks.


Quote:
Originally Posted by SpiderMJ View Post
True if you have an existing fob:

1.
Arm and disarm the alarm sixteen times or until the alarm stops responding, alarm now in program mode.....
2. Once in program mode press the button of the new remotes(s), press the button of the original remote(s). This must be done within 8 seconds of each action. If 8 seconds pass without any actions the alarm will automatically exit programming mode and you will have to start from step 1.
3. Wait 8 seconds to exit learning mode.
4. Test remotes.

Otherwise you need code card. If you don't have anything you need the alarm unit recoded.
I purchased a new key fab from Amazon and to the best I understood the above instruction I tried it and it did not work .
I do have my original fab , just wanted to have the back up which was lost and unfortunately I failed at this way of programming the new key fab.
 
#13 · (Edited)
I purchased a new key fab from Amazon and to the best I understood the above instruction I tried it and it did not work .
I do have my original fab , just wanted to have the back up which was lost and unfortunately I failed at this way of programming the new key fab.
it's a bit more complex then that.... You also need to program all keys in one go, the old and new... You also need the security code, and MES. The procedure is described in MES ..... :

<snip>
This procedure allows the programming of FOBIK type keys in the RFH module. The FOBIKs have to be pre-programmed with body computer's secret codes in order to be recognized by the vehicle. Follow the instructions on screen and make sure you have ALL keys (up to 8) before starting the procedure.
WARNING: DO NOT RUN this procedure if you don't know what you are doing as this procedure may disable your keys! Make sure YOU HAVE ALL KEYS as you will have to program ALL of them.
WARNING: You will also need to enter the electronic key code of your vehicle in order to execute this function. You can request this code from official service or dealer. Please be careful and note that the Body Computer will block itself for 30 minutes after an incorrect code is entered 3 times.
The procedure should be executed with car turned OFF - you should not press the START button to switch ON or start the car!
NOTE: You may run this procedure in simulation mode to see how it works. Basically, you have to do the following:
1. Start the procedure
2. The system will ask you to prepare FOBIK 1 and click Y. After that you have to press the UNLOCK button on the FOBIK briefly once and wait. The system will confirm if the recognition of the FOBIK is successfull.
3. The system will ask you to insert FOBIK 2 and so on. This procedure can be repeated for up to 8 FOBIKs.
4. The system will finally store all recognized keys into the Radio Frequency Hub module (RFH) and will display a status of the whole procedure. You will still have a chance to abort the procedure before step 4 and restore the previous FOBIK data.
PLEASE NOTE that the FOBIKs not learned during the procedure will be disabled and it will not be possible to use them to unlock or start the car. These FOBIKs can be re-enabled by using the "Enable FOBIKs" procedure.
After the procedure: Disconnect the OBD cable, go out of car and test if all FOBIKs work.
<snip>

although there are apparently alternative way(s) to get the security key code :
Autel keycode
Bit too expensive for incidental use though ;)
 
#14 ·
So when I got a brand new fob when I bought my car from a dealer, they programmed it immediately, and gave it to me, but they then had to special order the metal key part specific to my vin, so maybe that is the source of the 1 time thing? Obviously one can't change the metal key component, you will have to order one for your VIN, if you actually did reprogram the fob.
 
#15 ·
I bought my 2019 from a Ford Dealership with only one fob and I was not saavy enough to put it on the "We Owe You" form, so began looking on the web. My locksmith can program one and ersatz models are available for $40-90 on eBay, OEM for $100. So called the dealer and his reply was that all features seldom work and he's has the knockoff ones actually damage things on the car. So, I'll take the plunge with the dealer. Sounded like $200.

Tom
 
#16 ·
FYI for everyone here, just got an aftermarket (ebay) key fob reprogramed. The security key code that you have to get from your AR dealer service is a 4 digit code (i think 4) but is finite. It expires within an hour (maybe 30 minutes) after the code is issued paired with your VIN. So if you want to DIY this with MES then you better be near your dealer once you get the code or get it over the phone from your great and understanding dealer because after that period of time the code will expire and explode into a cloud of green, white and red dust.
 
#18 ·
this is the exact one that i got,
keep it in the bag as the Key's ID # is written on it (i think it's own key-fob code) and comes with a blank, uncut key under the fob cover (this needs to be done by a locksmith). The MES procedure is above but don't know where to plug that security code in as my dealer did it for me (in less than 5 minutes) but i think its at the start of it all.
 
#19 ·
On my BMW key fob, I had to take the chip out from the OEM, copy to my desktop, and then rewrite it on the new chip. I bought the chip writing device for 200 on ebay and had to send away the key for the physical cutting of the key since most locksmiths in my area didn't have the flat key cutter. Now that was about 8 years ago and only reason I bought the key coder was that I had 3 BMWs at that time and thought it was a good idea.

Well, out of 3 attempts 2 worked. Bottom line, I could have just spent $300 and buy one from the dealer with my VIN+regi+driver license + address+proof of ownership (title or payment record) if I had one BMW, I would have simply bought it. One last thing, if you think having more than 1 key fob would prevent you from lost key madness, then think again. No one carries 2 keys at a time and keeping one key in a box of all keys really doesn't help a person looking for it.
 
#21 ·
I believe my dealer. You can buy an ersatz model on eBay, Amazon or on the street corner and probably the dealer won’t program it. I even found a locksmith who had the tools to do it!! There is a better than even chance that fob will screw up things in your car if it works at all. Now, ask yourself, why would I risk any of that on my expensive Italian Luxury car just to save a hundred bucks?!! 😎. Buy the fob from the dealer and have them program it.

Tom
 
#26 ·
This situation probably doesn't conform to the legal definition of a "monopoly" anymore than a brain surgeon's skill inside your noggin. I could probably find someone to install a new gas furnace in my home who is cheaper than a certified HVAC guy. But why would I?!!

Tom
 
#28 ·
Yep. My locksmith said that he can do it. He has all the electronics necessary. But when I asked him if he would repair my car if his key screwed things up, (as the dealer warned me coukd happen), he said "NOPE". Ain't worth it friend.

Tom
 
#30 ·
Probably true.

My point here is that it makes little sense to try to save $100 doing something risky on a $55K car!! I read about some guys on this forum who want to spend umpteen hundreds of dollars to replace their perfectly good wheels with those ones that have 5 circles on them, and black ones at that!! At 25mph you can't see the design anyway, only while parked!! And that only proviides some would-be thief with a target!! I guess it's my Scot heritage and advanced age driving me here. Do what ever feels right.

Tom
 
#32 ·
Not everyone has a 55k car. My 2020 Lusso was less than 25k, there's probably a good amount of people on here that paid less than 20k.

It's also ridiculous that you can't just program a fob yourself. Even Apple isn't that bad and doesn't charge you to pair airpods with an iPhone.
 
#33 ·
Ummm..... If someone steals your air pods it sucks. Having your car stolen is kinda worse though.

Regardless of price paid its nice to have security that your car won't be stolen (if you feel otherwise there's always Hyundai where you don't even really need a key 🤣)...

Think about it if you can program a key fob .... A thief can too.

Pretty sure there isn't a car on the market that doesn't require a dealer to trip to code a key..particularly ones with remote start from the fob.

No argument the prices should be easily affordable, but at least our FOB can have the battery replaced without basically breaking it then having to tape it back together, or buy a new one, and it's built pretty durable. I've dropped mine on rocks, buried in sand... Sucker works and still looks good.

Vs most every other car I have owned, especially VWs the FOB looks beat up by the time the car is 3 years old. Mine is almost 6 now ... Which is insane to me. Ancient and it feels new still. The freaking leather on the steering wheel still looks good.. never owned a car that the steering wheel leather wasn't obviously worn after 2 years. Such a great car in so many ways. There are cars that cost $100k new and don't age as well. Isn't about money.