For 1990-2009 cars

# INFO. ON SYNCHRONIZING THE REMOTE FUNCTION ACTUATOR

#### SUBJECT: INFORMATION ON SYNCHRONIZING THE REMOTE FUNCTION ACTUATOR (RFA) TRANSMITTER

#### MODELS: 1996-97 BUICK LESABRE, PARK AVENUE, RIVIERA 1996-97 OLDSMOBILE AURORA, EIGHTY EIGHT, LSS, NINETY EIGHT 1996-97 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE

THE REMOTE FUNCTION ACTUATOR (RFA) SYSTEMS THAT CLCD BEGAN USING IN 1996 HAVE INCORPORATED "ROLLING CODE" TECHNOLOGY. "ROLLING CODE" OFFERS A NEW LEVEL OF SECURITY FOR THE RFA SYSTEM THAT WAS NOT AVAILABLE IN PRE-1996 VEHICLES. THIS NEW LEVEL OF SECURITY PREVENTS ANYONE FROM RECORDING THE MESSAGE BEING SENT FROM THE TRANSMITTER TO THE RECEIVER AND PLAYING IT BACK TO GAIN ENTRY TO A VEHICLE.

"ROLLING CODE" REFERS TO THE WAY THE INFORMATION IS BEING SENT OUT BY THE RFA TRANSMITTERS AND ACCEPTED BY THE RECEIVERS. THE TRANSMITTED SIGNAL IS SCRAMBLED IN A DIFFERENT ORDER UPON EVERY RFA TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMITTER AND RECEIVER KEEP TRACK OF THE APPROPRIATE ORDER OF THE TRANSMITTED INFORMATION. WHEN THE SIGNAL BEING SENT BY THE TRANSMITTER IS NOT IN THE ORDER THAT THE RECEIVER IS EXPECTING, THE TRANSMISSION IS DEEMED INVALID AND NO OPERATION IS PERFORMED. THIS OCCURS WHEN THE RECEIVER AND TRANSMITTER ARE "OUT OF SYNCHRONIZATION".

WHEN THE TRANSMITTERS ARE OUT OF SYNCHRONIZATION, LOOK FOR THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS:

RFA-B: WHEN TRANSMITTERS ARE "OUT OF SYNCHRONIZATION", ALL BUTTONS EXCEPT THE PANIC BUTTON WILL BE INOPERATIVE.

CAUSES FOR LOSS OF "SYNCHRONIZATION" -

O 256 BUTTON PRESSES OUT OF RANGE OF VEHICLE FOR RFA-B O REPLACING THE TRANSMITTER BATTERY O PERFORMING THE RESYNCHRONIZATION PROCEDURE OUT OF RANGE OF THE VEHICLE

TO DETERMINE IF A TRANSMITTER IS OUT OF SYNCHRONIZATION, ALL FUNCTIONS APPEAR TO BE INOPERATIVE, PRESS THE RED PANIC BUTTON. IF THE HORN STARTS HONKING AND LIGHTS START FLASHING, THE TRANSMITTER IS OUT OF SYNCHRONIZATION.

REFER TO "RESYNCHRONIZING TRANSMITTERS" IN SECTION 9K OF THE SERVICE MANUAL. THE CUSTOMER SHOULD BE MADE AWARE OF THIS CONDITION AND DIRECTED TO REVIEW THE RESYNCHRONIZATION PROCEDURE IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL.

#### WARRANTY INFORMATION:

THIS PROCEDURE SHOULD NOT BE CHARGED TO WARRANTY.

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GENERAL MOTORS BULLETINS ARE INTENDED FOR USE BY PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIANS, NOT A "DO-IT-YOURSELFER". THEY ARE WRITTEN TO INFORM THOSE TECHNICIANS OF CONDITIONS THAT MAY OCCUR ON SOME VEHICLES, OR TO PROVIDE INFORMATION THAT COULD ASSIST IN THE PROPER SERVICE OF A VEHICLE. PROPERLY TRAINED TECHNICIANS HAVE THE EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS AND KNOW-HOW TO DO A JOB PROPERLY AND SAFELY. IF A CONDITION IS DESCRIBED, DO NOT ASSUME THAT THE BULLETIN APPLIES TO YOUR VEHICLE, OR THAT YOUR VEHICLE WILL HAVE THAT CONDITION. SEE A GENERAL MOTORS DEALER SERVICING YOUR BRAND OF GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLE FOR INFORMATION ON WHETHER YOUR VEHICLE MAY BENEFIT FROM THE INFORMATION.

COPYRIGHT 1996 GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.