GM Can Be Indecisive About Factory Keyless Entry Remote Features

I know this surprises you . . . that GM can be indecisive about the remote features associated with factory keyless entry systems in some vehicles. Take factory keyless entry remotes used on 2002-2009 Chevy Trailblazers as an example.

For Trailblazer’s first model year in 2002, GM decided to equip the Chevrolet SUV with only a 3-button remote with lock, unlock and panic buttons. (See this remote – Remotes Unlimited part 610-1610 – at this link.) This remote has GM part number and FCC ID 15051014 or 15081831 and FCC ID MYT3X6898B.

Chevrolet offered seat memory as an option on the 2002 Trailblazer, so there actually were three different remotes used with the vehicle. In addition to the GM parts listed above, which have no fob number identifier on the back, there also are remotes with fob 1 (GM part 15008008) and fob 2 (GM part 15008009) on the back. All of these parts look exactly the same from the front, use the same circuit board, transmit an identical signal, and are interchangeable. (The fob numbers on the back of the case are simply to help drivers distinguish one remote from another since the first remote programmed is associated with seat position 1 and the second is associated with seat position 2.)

2003 Chevy Trailblazers used the same factory keyless entry systems and remote keyfobs as the 2002 model.

Then, in 2004, GM engineers decided the Trailblazer should have the option of operating the rear glass on the liftgate from their keyless entry remote. So, a 4-button remote with lock, unlock, panic and rear glass buttons was introduced. (See this remote – Remotes Unlimited part 849-1849 – at this link.)

In 2006, Chevrolet decided not to sell Trailblazers with seat memory. So, the two seat memory fobs were discontinued on new models.

And, in 2007, GM backed off having an option package in which the remote key fob operates the rear glass. So, the 4-button remote added in 2004 was no longer available with new Trailblazers. So, the 2007, 2008 and 2009 Trailblazer models had no seat memory option and no remotely operated rear glass option.

So, you see, GM seems to flail around quite a bit in use of keyless entry remote features. And unlike aftermarket alarm systems, they sometimes end up with fewer features over time rather than more.