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The dealer wanted almost $300 to program one remote for my 2001 Plymouth Prowler. The Dorman 99164 kit promised to do it yourself for about $55. It didn’t work for me.
Here’s what’s in the Dorman 99164 keyless entry remote and programmer kit, the exact procedure I followed in my Prowler, and every variation I tried. My result was a perfect failure rate, but maybe it works better on other years. Check the fitment for your car on the listing before you buy.
- Far cheaper than the dealer’s nearly $300
- Plug-in programmer, no special tools
- Remote looks like the factory Chrysler remote
- Battery and circuit board included
- Didn’t program the included remote
- Didn’t program a second Chrysler remote either
- Instructions leave timing open to interpretation
- Remote has no light to confirm a button press
▶ Watch the full review on YouTube
Why I tried a DIY remote programmer
My Prowler came with just a key. The previous owner, whose father owned the car, never had a remote, which is typical with used cars.
Getting one programmed was the problem. The dealership wanted almost $300 for one remote. Most automotive locksmiths said they could cut a key but not program a remote. One company said it would look into my car, and I never heard back. Then I found Dorman’s kit online.
What’s in the kit
You get a very standard-looking remote for Chryslers of this vintage. I opened it up: it has a CR2032 battery and a circuit board, so it looks like the original factory remote.
The programmer looks like one of those driving monitors. It plugs into your OBD port, has a little LED, and puts the car into programming mode.
The programming procedure I followed
- Turn the key to on (don’t start the car).
- Plug the programmer into the OBD port under the dash.
- Hold lock and unlock together for 3 seconds, then release.
- Hold unlock for 2 seconds, then release.
- Repeat for a second remote if you have one.
- Turn the car off, remove the programmer and wait about 2 minutes.
I also tried a second original Chrysler remote I’d bought on eBay, since it’s nice to have two.
The result: nothing
Two minutes later, the moment of truth: lock, nothing. Unlock, nope. The eBay remote, nothing either.
So I tried every permutation I could think of: holding both buttons for 3 seconds and then going right to unlock, pausing a second in between, counting off an extra second, and waiting well past 2 minutes. None of the remotes ever worked.
For my car it was a big waste of money. Maybe Dorman’s kits work better on other years, but I had a perfect failure rate.
FAQ
Did the Dorman 99164 work on your Prowler?
No. Neither the included remote nor a second Chrysler remote ever worked.
How much did the dealer want?
Almost $300 to program one remote.
What battery does the remote use?
A CR2032, and it comes installed.
What’s the programming procedure?
Key to on, plug the programmer into the OBD port, hold lock and unlock 3 seconds, release, then hold unlock 2 seconds.
Should I buy it?
It didn’t work in my 2001 Prowler. Check the fitment for your exact car before buying.
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