Question 1

How long does it take a Subaru dealer to replace a key on a 2004 Forester?

Accepted Answer

It depends on whether they have the fob in stock. On a vehicle this age, the remotes are older units that dealers don't always keep on the shelf. Best case, they have one, and you're looking at maybe 30 to 45 minutes once you're actually in the service bay. Realistic case, they have to order it by VIN and you're coming back in a few days. All-keys-lost on older Subaru models with a conventional ignition cylinder is a more manageable job than on newer push-to-start vehicles, so you won't hit the module-removal nightmare that plagues the newer lineup. But dealer scheduling, parts delays, and labor rates still add up fast. We do this on site in East Valley in under an hour, and you're not leaving your car anywhere overnight.

Question 2

What exactly is a remote key and how does it work on the 2004 Forester?

Accepted Answer

On your 2004 Forester, the key is a two-part system. The metal blade turns the ignition, and a transponder chip embedded in the key head communicates with the immobilizer when you turn the key. If the immobilizer doesn't recognize the chip signal, the engine won't run even if the blade fits perfectly.

The 4-button remote is a separate transmitter that handles the wireless functions: locking, unlocking, and the other button functions. It runs on a CR2025 battery. It does not affect whether the car starts. That's handled entirely by the transponder side.

So when people say their key stopped working, I always ask: did it stop starting the car, or did the lock and unlock buttons stop responding? Those are two different problems with two different fixes.

Question 3

Why does the dealer take so long on Subaru key replacements?

Accepted Answer

Two main bottlenecks on a vehicle like this. First, older remote fobs often aren't stocked at the counter and have to be ordered by VIN, which can mean a multi-day wait before they even start. Second, once the part arrives, you still have to get a programming appointment, which is a separate slot in the service schedule.

On the 2004 Forester specifically, you're not dealing with the module-shipment delays that hit newer Subaru push-to-start models, so it won't stretch into weeks. But the combination of parts ordering and separate appointment scheduling means what should be a one-trip job often turns into two or three trips spread over a week. We carry remotes for this generation and handle the cut and program in a single visit, parked wherever your Forester happens to be in Escondido.

Question 4

I bought a replacement fob online for my 2004 Forester. Can I sync it myself or do I need a tech?

Accepted Answer

The 2004 Forester does have an onboard remote sync procedure that owners have used successfully, so a self-sync on the remote functions alone is worth trying if you have a pre-cut key that already starts the car. The catch is that procedure only registers the remote side. If you also need the transponder chip in the key head programmed because you have a new uncut key blank, that part requires a programmer. An online fob that came without a key blade is the easier case. An all-new key with a blank transponder chip is the harder one. If you try the sync sequence and the remote still won't respond, the fob may not be the right frequency or it wasn't registered correctly, and that's when to call us rather than keep guessing.

Question 5

My 2004 Forester starts fine but the remote stopped locking and unlocking the doors. What's going on?

Accepted Answer

Almost always the CR2025. It's a small cell and it runs down without much warning. Swap it first.

If a fresh battery doesn't fix it, the fob may have lost sync with the vehicle, which can happen after the battery dies completely or sometimes just on its own. There's an onboard resync sequence for this generation that doesn't require any special equipment. If the fob still won't respond after a resync attempt, the transmitter itself may have failed internally, which does happen on fobs this age. At that point you need a replacement remote matched to the factory FCC ID on your original fob, cut to your key blade profile, and synced on site. That's a quick job.

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