How to Program a 1996 Cadillac Deville Keyless Remote

If your 1996 DeVille's battery goes dead, the car computer's memory of previous remotes will be deleted. You'll need to reprogram them back into the computer. Alternately, you'll have to do the same if you've purchased a new remote, including any old working remotes, since entering the programming mode deletes memory of working remotes as an anti-theft measure. The programming instructions will depend on whether your instrument cluster is analog or digital.

Digital Display

  • Press "Off" and "Warm" on the climate control panel simultaneously. To acknowledge, the instrument panel cluster will light up, and then go blank.

  • Press the "Fan Down" button until "RFA" displays.

  • Press the "Fan Up" button until "RFA Override" displays. Then press "Fan Up" again.

  • Press "Fan Up" if "No OVRD RF 500" displays. Press "Warm" instead, if "PGM FOBL 501" displays. If "99" appears in the upper-left corner of the instrument panel, then you've successfully entered programming mode.

  • Hold the trunk button on the remote. While still holding it down, press the lock button on the remote for one second. Release them together after the trunk button has been held for three seconds. The locks will cycle to indicate programming has completed. Perform this step in 30 seconds. Otherwise, start again at Step 3.

  • Program the second remote by pressing "Fan Up" until "PGM FOB2 502" displays. Then repeat Steps 5 and 6 for this remote.

  • Exit the programming mode by pressing "Recirc" or "Reset."

Analog Display

  • Press "Off" and "Warm" on the climate control panel simultaneously. To acknowledge, the instrument panel cluster will light up, and then go blank.

  • Press the "Passenger Cooler" button until "RFA" displays. Then press "Fan Up."

  • Press "Fan Up" again if "RFA Data" appears. Press "Fan Down" instead, if "RFA Override" appears.

  • Press "Fan Up" if "RFA 501 Program FOB #1" appears. Press "Fan Down" instead if "RFA 500 No Override" appears.

  • Press "Warmer" until "99" appears in the upper-left corner of the instrument panel. Then you've successfully entered programming mode.

  • Hold the trunk button on the remote. While still holding it down, press the lock button on the remote for one second. Release them together after the trunk button has been held for three seconds. The locks will cycle to indicate programming has completed. Perform this step in 30 seconds. Otherwise, start again at Step 5.

  • Program the second remote by pressing "Fan Down" until "RFA 502 Program FOB #2" displays. Then press "Fan Up." Then repeat Step 6 for this remote.

  • Exit the programming mode by pressing "Auto," "Mode Up," "Mode Down" or "Reset."