2012 Sonic Key Programming issue

[Bluezmax]

Hi everyone !

So my wife's 2012 Sonic only came with one key from the dealer. We bought a key blank on Amazon and got it cut.

All the instructions I saw online made it seem extremely easy to program the key : start the car with the working key, take it out and put the new key in and start the car within 10 seconds of taking the other one out.

As luck would have it, this didn't work for me !

When putting the new key in, it would turn and start the car but the immobilizer light never did go off... tried leaving it in there for a while, still nothing...

I suspect you need the "Master" or primary key to complete this process and that my wife got the "second" key when she purchased the car but not the "master".

I did see a process to re-program the key without a working key consisting of leaving the new key in the ignition on for 10 minutes at a time, 3 times in a row and this would make the new key the "Master" key but this would also reset the working key (which scares my wife thinking her key won't work anymore and she's afraid we'll be stuck with no working key at all...).

So what am I missing ???
Am I correct assuming the programming difficulties come from the "secondary" key ?

How can I get this damn new key to work !!!???

Thanks in advance !
BluezMax

 

[TurtleOverlord]

I dont know if it makes a difference, but it states to turn the key to the ON position not to actually start the car.

Also it is useless and frowned upon to double post in two separate categories.

 

[Bluezmax]

Sorry about the double post, I wasn't quite sure which section was the proper one for this post.

Also, I did try with just the "ON" position, without starting but no success either... immobilizer light just kept blinking...

 

[TurtleOverlord]

Are you in Canada? I think that procedure only works in the US.

Edit: Elsewhere you need two keys, one after the other, then the new key.

 

[Bluezmax]

I'm in Miami, Florida.

 

[92dakota]

1. Insert the original, already programmed key in the ignition and start the engine.
2. After the engine has started, turn the key to off and remove the key.
3. Insert the key to be programmed and turn it to on within 10 seconds of removing the original key.
4. The security light will turn off once the key has been programmed. It may not be apparent if the security lightwent on due to how quickly the key is programmed.


this is what i did for a second key.. but i got a GM original key online.. like you only had 1 key..


NOTE: A maximum of 8 key transmitters can be programmed
Insert programmed master key transmitter into ignition
Switch ignition ON
Switch ignition OFF
Remove master key transmitter
Within 10 seconds insert new key transmitter and switch ignition ON
New key transmitter now programmed

.. in canada.. works like a charm..

 

[Bluezmax]

Thanks for the reply 92dakota.

I actually tried that 3 or 4 times but to no avail.
I think my problem might be that I don't have the "programmed master key transmitter" but instead have a secondary key or one that's been programmed using this same technique.

Should this programming technique work if the key you have isn't the "Programmed Master Key Transmitter" ?

 

[92dakota]

first one is start vehicle once... not with second.. slightly different then what u have said you tried.. just a thought..

second one is what i did and what i was told the same from locksmith when i got the key cut.. with no mention of master, just a programmed *fobed* key .. might be the key you got im assuming was a cheaper alternative one and might be the issue.. as i got a gm original..


its also possible it hit is limit of 8 keys? .. will need to be cleared and locksmith, or get a locksmith to *clone* the key you have..

 

[Bluezmax]

Ok so I've resolved the key programming mystery.... and I feel like a dumbass....
You guys are going to laugh.
Maybe I shouldn't have trusted my wife to order her key on Amazon herself.
After all those headaches, I decided to pop the key open to check the battery. There was no battery to check. My dear wife ordered an empty key fob shell, not a fully working key (which was only $4 more...).

So I just ordered the functional key fob blank. I'll transfer the cut blade over to the new fob when I receive it and I bet I'll bet able to program that one without a problem...

Thanks for all the help though !!!