Lear 3-Button Remote Key Fob (FCC ID GQ43VT17T) – Full Guide

Used across a wide range of Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep platforms spanning model years 1996 through 2010, the Lear 4-Button Remote Head Key (FCC ID GQ4-53T) – Specs & Inf 3-Button Remote Key Fob (FCC ID GQ43VT17T) handles keyless entry functions including lock, unlock, and panic activation. Broadcasting at 315 MHz, each Lear 3-Button Remote Key Fob (FCC ID GQ43VT17T) communicates with the vehicle’s receiver module using a rolling-code signal to prevent replay attacks. For technicians working on these Chrysler-group vehicles, this remote is one of the most commonly encountered keyless entry units due to its extensive cross-platform fitment. Owners looking to replace the fob after wear, water damage, or loss will find that a correctly paired Lear 3-Button Remote Key Fob (FCC ID GQ43VT17T) restores full remote lock and unlock capability without any dashboard warning indicators.

Vehicle Fitment for the Lear 3-Button Remote Key Fob (FCC ID GQ43VT17T)

One of the defining characteristics of this remote is its unusually broad compatibility across DaimlerChrysler-era platforms. The device covers sedans, minivans, trucks, SUVs, and even a sports car. Below is the complete validated fitment list:

• Chrysler Concorde — 1998 to 2004
• Chrysler LHS — 1999 to 2001
• Chrysler Sebring — 2001 to 2006
• Chrysler Town & Country — 1996 to 2007 (spanning two generation ranges: 1996–2000 and 2001–2007)
• Chrysler Voyager — 2000 to 2007
• Dodge Caravan / Grand Caravan — 1996 to 2007 (spanning 1996–2000 and 2001–2007)
• Dodge Dakota — 1997 to 2004
• Dodge Durango — 1998 to 2003
• Dodge Intrepid — 1998 to 2004
• Dodge RAM — 2002 to 2009
• Dodge Stratus — 2001 to 2006
• Dodge Viper — 2003 to 2010
• Jeep Liberty — 2001 to 2007

This cross-platform coverage makes the fob a staple inventory item for locksmiths serving the Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep segments. Because many of these vehicles are still in active daily use — particularly the Dodge RAM and Dodge Grand Caravan — replacement demand remains steady.

Technical Specifications and FCC Details

The unit bears FCC ID GQ43VT17T, registered to Lear Corporation. It operates on a 315.0 MHz carrier frequency, which is standard for North American keyless entry systems of this era. The three-button layout provides lock, unlock, and panic functions — a configuration that Chrysler group vehicles used before the transition to more complex smart-key and FOBIK systems in later model years.

Lear Corporation manufactured a significant volume of remote entry products for DaimlerChrysler during the late 1990s and 2000s. The GQ43VT17T represents one of their longest-running SKUs, remaining in production across multiple vehicle redesign cycles. The physical housing uses a standard CR2032 coin-cell battery, accessible via a rear seam that can be separated with a small flathead screwdriver or trim tool.

Programming Procedure Overview

Programming the remote to a compatible vehicle typically involves an on-board procedure that does not require dealer-level diagnostic equipment. The general sequence for most Chrysler-group vehicles covered by this fitment list follows these steps:

1. Enter the vehicle, close all doors, and ensure the ignition is in the OFF position.
2. Press and hold the LOCK button on the driver’s door panel.
3. While holding LOCK, insert the ignition key and cycle it to the RUN position (not START) and then back to OFF. Repeat this cycle — RUN then OFF — a specified number of times within a set time window (commonly three to five cycles depending on the specific vehicle platform).
4. Release the LOCK button on the door panel. A chime or audible lock/unlock cycling should confirm that the vehicle has entered programming mode.
5. Within 30 seconds, press LOCK and UNLOCK on the fob simultaneously, then release. A second chime or lock cycle confirms successful pairing.
6. If programming additional remotes, repeat step 5 for each unit within the 30-second window. Most vehicles in this fitment range accept up to four paired remotes.
7. Turn the ignition to RUN to exit programming mode. Test all three buttons on each programmed remote.

Note that the exact number of ignition cycles and confirmation signals can vary between the Chrysler sedan platforms (Concorde, LHS, Intrepid) and the minivan/truck platforms (Town & Country, Caravan, Dakota, RAM). Locksmiths should confirm the specific procedure against the vehicle’s body control module (BCM) generation before beginning. Some post-2004 RAM trucks, for instance, may require a diagnostic tool to enter learn mode if the on-board procedure does not initiate correctly.

OEM vs. Aftermarket Considerations

When sourcing a replacement for this Lear unit, vehicle owners and technicians will encounter both OEM-branded and aftermarket options carrying the same FCC ID. Genuine Lear-manufactured remotes offer the original housing durometer, button-press feel, and RF output that the vehicle’s receiver was calibrated for. Aftermarket alternatives are widely available and typically cost significantly less, but button longevity and signal range can be inconsistent across different manufacturers.

Regardless of whether the replacement is OEM or aftermarket, the programming procedure and 315 MHz operating frequency remain the same. A locksmith performing the pairing should verify that the replacement unit’s FCC ID matches GQ43VT17T before beginning, as several visually similar Chrysler-group remotes exist with different FCC designations and button counts (four-button variants with a remote-start function, for example, carry a different FCC ID and are not interchangeable).

Battery Replacement and Maintenance

The fob uses a single CR2032 lithium coin cell. Expected battery life under normal usage patterns is approximately two to four years. Symptoms of a low battery include reduced operating range — the remote may need to be held closer to the vehicle or pointed directly at the driver’s door to register. In some vehicles, a low-battery condition in the remote will trigger a brief indicator message on the overhead console or instrument cluster.

To replace the battery, separate the two halves of the housing at the side seam using a thin pry tool. Remove the old cell and insert the new CR2032 with the positive terminal facing the correct direction (marked inside the housing). Snap the housing back together and test. Battery replacement does not erase the remote’s pairing with the vehicle — reprogramming is not required after a simple battery swap.

When to Contact a Locksmith

While the on-board programming procedure is straightforward for owners who still have at least one working remote, situations involving a completely non-functional remote inventory or a replaced body control module will typically require professional intervention. A locksmith equipped with a Chrysler-compatible diagnostic tool can force the BCM into learn mode, pair new remotes, and verify that the 315 MHz signal is being received correctly. This is particularly relevant for higher-mileage Dodge RAM and Dodge Dakota trucks where BCM issues are more commonly reported.

For vehicles at the end of this remote’s fitment range — such as the 2009 RAM or the 2010 Viper — owners should confirm with a locksmith whether the vehicle uses the GQ43VT17T or has transitioned to a newer FOBIK-style integrated key, as some model-year overlaps exist at the production changeover point.