This is how to program the switchblade type key fob for your 2013, 2014 or 2015 Chevrolet Malibu:
Once you have the key cut, you can program the key and remote yourself at home.
Use this method if you have the proxy key (push button start on your dash)
**instructions for Non-proxy type key that you turn in ignition are below**
• Only keyless access transmitters programmed to
the vehicle will work.
• If a transmitter is lost or stolen, a replacement
can be purchased and programmed through your
dealer/retailer.
• The vehicle can be reprogrammed so that lost or
stolen transmitters no longer work.
• Any remaining transmitters will need to be
reprogrammed. Each vehicle can have up to five
transmitters matched to it.
Programming with a Recognized
Transmitter:
A new transmitter can be programmed to the vehicle
when there is one recognized transmitter. To program,
the vehicle must be off and all of the transmitters,
both currently recognized and new, must be with you.
1. Place the recognized transmitter(s) in the
cupholder.
2. Insert the vehicle key of the new transmitter into
the key lock cylinder located on the outside of
the driver door and turn the key to the unlock
position five times within ten seconds. The Driver
Information Center (DIC) displays “Ready For
Remote #2, 3, 4 or 5.”
3. Place the new transmitter into the transmitter
pocket. The transmitter pocket is located inside the
center console storage area under the cupholder.
The cupholder will need to be pulled out to access
the transmitter pocket.
4. Press the ignition. When the transmitter is learned,
the DIC display will show that it is ready to
program the next transmitter.
5. Remove the transmitter from the transmitter pocket
and press the unlock button.
To program additional transmitters, repeat Steps
3 through 5. When all additional transmitters are
programmed, press and hold the ignition for 5
seconds to exit the programming mode.
Programming without a Recognized
Transmitter:
If there are no currently recognized transmitters
available, follow this procedure to program up to five
transmitters. This procedure will take approximately
30 minutes to complete. The vehicle must be off and
all of the transmitters you wish to program must be
with you.
1. Insert the vehicle key of the new transmitter into
the key lock cylinder located on the outside of
the driver door and turn the key to the unlock
position five times within ten seconds. The Driver
Information Center (DIC) displays “Remote Learn
Pending, Please Wait.”
2. Wait for ten minutes until the DIC displays “Press
Engine Start Button To Learn” and then press the
ignition. The DIC displays will again show “Remote
Learn Pending, Please Wait.”
3. Repeat Step 2 two additional times. After the
third time all previously known transmitters
will no longer work with the vehicle. Remaining
transmitters can be relearned during
the next steps. The DIC should now show “Ready
For Remote #1.”
4. Place the new transmitter into the transmitter
pocket. The transmitter pocket is located inside the
center console storage area under the cupholder.
The cupholder will need to be pulled out to access
the transmitter pocket.
5. Press the ignition. When the ignition is learned, the
DIC display will show that it is ready to program
the next transmitter.
6. Remove the transmitter from the transmitter pocket
and press the unlock button.
To program additional transmitters, repeat Steps
4 through 6. When all additional transmitters are
programmed, press and hold the ignition for 5
seconds to exit the programming mode.
Starting the Vehicle with a Low
Transmitter Battery:
If the transmitter battery is weak, the DIC may display
“No Remote Detected” when you try to start the
vehicle. The “Replace Battery” in Remote Key message
may also be displayed at this time.
To Start the Vehicle:
1. Remove the cupholder from the center console
storage area.
2. Place the transmitter in the transmitter pocket with
the buttons facing up.
3. With the vehicle in “P” (Park) or “N” (Neutral),
press the brake pedal and the ignition control. See
“Starting the Engine”, for additional information
about the vehicle’s keyless ignition with push start.
Replace the transmitter battery as soon as possible.
Battery Replacement:
Replace the battery if the “Replace Battery in Remote
Key” message displays in the DIC. See “Replace
Battery in Remote Key” under Key and Lock Messages.
The battery is not rechargeable. See your dealer/
retailer to replace the battery.
If you have the key that you must turn in the ignition to start the car, you will use these instructions:
• To initiate, this procedure requires that a learned
master key be available.
• A total of 10 keys may be programmed to a single
vehicle.
• This procedure adds keys only. The procedure
does not erase previously learned keys.
• The keys to be learned must duplicate the
mechanical cut of the current key.
• If more than one valet key is to be learned,
immediately precede each valet key with a
learned master key.
1. With a previously learned master key, turn ON
the ignition, with the engine OFF.
2. Turn OFF the ignition and remove the key.
3. Within 10 seconds of turning OFF the ignition,
insert the key to be learned and turn ON the
ignition. The vehicle has now learned the new key.
There is no “transmitter pocket” in the 2014 chevy malibu! How do I reprogram the key/fob to my car?
Have you pulled out the cup holder?
These instructions are for the proximity system, if you have to put your key in the ignition to start the car this will not work
I have since updated the instructions to include the non-proxy key. Thank you for bringing this omition to my attention. 🙂
This procedure doesn’t seem to work on our 2013 with out the remote start. All I get is Service Theft Deterrent System on the DIC.
Help.
Be sure you are using the proper procedure for your ignition.
If you turn the key in the ignition there is one way to program the fob…
If you have the push button start on the dash, there is another method.
There may be an issue with the remote itself if you continue to have issues.
how do you program the keyfob for a 2013 Malibu with automatic start but not pushbutton
If you have the key that you must turn in the ignition to start the car, you will use these instructions:
• To initiate, this procedure requires that a learned
master key be available.
• A total of 10 keys may be programmed to a single
vehicle.
• This procedure adds keys only. The procedure
does not erase previously learned keys.
• The keys to be learned must duplicate the
mechanical cut of the current key.
• If more than one valet key is to be learned,
immediately precede each valet key with a
learned master key.
1. With a previously learned master key, turn ON
the ignition, with the engine OFF.
2. Turn OFF the ignition and remove the key.
3. Within 10 seconds of turning OFF the ignition,
insert the key to be learned and turn ON the
ignition. The vehicle has now learned the new key.
Is it learning the remote and push button start also on the keyfob if not how do you do that?
When you program the remote it will program the remote start button as well… keep in mind that your vehicle must already be equipped with the remote start feature and it must be activated on the car before this will work. If you are not sure if the car has remote start capability, or if it is hooked up on the car, call your local dealer with your VIN number and they should be able to tell you if the car is equipped.
How do you reset a key fob that has been previously programmed to another vehicle?
If the key is cut to the car you are trying to program it to, you would simply follow these instructions.
How to program a new turn key,(notpush to start) on a 2014 Chevrolet Malibu? Lost our original keys.
Those instructions are also included on the same page
What if you have one working transmitter with a broken key, and a new transmitter with a be key to program?
You need to have a complete working unit to be able to do this procedure.
Same issue lost key part, have fob. Key in ignition and broke off fob next to it, it cranked. Key was lost, no spare. Have the key cut with new fob at Chevy dealer (2015 Chevy Malibu ,engine start w/ key turn)? Then remove battery from new fob and hold old fob next to it to crank? Insert battery into new fob and allow it to reprogram? Will this work? :))))))))))
And by “a previously learned master key” I am assuming you really mean a previously learned fob? Or do the actual keys have chips that need to work with and be programmed to the fob?
The keys do have transponder chips in them that are synced to the ignition of the vehicle. This is separate from the remote transmitter. I hope this answered your question.
Cannot guarantee it will. But by all technicalities it should.
I have a working key and my car you have to turn the key to start. When I follow the steps it doesn’t program. When the key that I’m trying to program is in the ignition I am getting a Service Theft Deterrent System. Does it matter if the key I am trying to program was programed to another vehicle before? I have a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. Please let me know if there is anything further I can do to help myself.
Hi Jason,
Yes, it does matter. The chip in the key has already been programmed to another ignition system, so it will not work.
is the lost key procedure the same for the reg ignition? typical turn on 10 mins 3x then start?