Strattec Smart Key Fob (FCC ID HYQ2EB) – Cadillac Fitments & Info

By Mohammad H. Abdelhadi, ALOA-Certified Master Locksmith, mobile automotive locksmith. Reviewed by Ray Obar, Master Locksmith. Updated June 1, 2026.

Programming a Strattec Smart Key Fob (FCC ID HYQ2EB) requires a professional-grade diagnostic platform capable of interfacing with General Motors’ immobilizer architecture and initializing the embedded PCF7937E transponder chip. The procedure begins with establishing communication through the vehicle’s OBD-II port and placing the body control module into learn mode, after which the device must complete a cryptographic handshake with the vehicle’s receiver module operating at 315 MHz. Locksmiths enrolling the Strattec Smart Key Fob (FCC ID HYQ2EB) should verify that existing keys are accounted for, since most GM platforms will deauthorize all previously learned remotes during the registration cycle. Once the fob is enrolled correctly, pressing the start button while the unit is inside the vehicle cabin should trigger ignition without delay. This smart key is manufactured by Strattec Security Corporation, a leading OEM supplier of automotive access products, and replacement units carrying FCC ID HYQ2EB remain commercially available through aftermarket locksmith distributors.

Technical Specifications of the Strattec Smart Key Fob (FCC ID HYQ2EB)

The core of this proximity remote is the PCF7937E transponder chip, manufactured by Philips (now NXP Semiconductors following the Philips semiconductor division rebrand). The PCF7937E is an encryption-capable transponder IC commonly found in GM keyless entry and push-to-start systems of this era. It handles both the passive immobilizer authentication — the engine will not crank without a valid cryptographic response from the chip — and the rolling-code RF communication used for remote lock, unlock, and trunk release functions.

The RF transmission frequency for this fob is 315 MHz, which is the standard operating band for North American automotive keyless entry systems. This frequency is allocated by the FCC for low-power unlicensed devices and is distinct from the 433.92 MHz band used in European and some Asian-market vehicles. The FCC ID HYQ2EB identifies the specific radio module configuration approved for use in the United States and Canada.

Cadillac Vehicle Fitments

The Strattec Smart Key Fob (FCC ID HYQ2EB) covers a broad range of Cadillac models spanning nearly a decade of production. Below is the validated fitment list:

• Cadillac ATS — 2012 through 2019 model years
• Cadillac CT6 — 2016 through 2020 model years
• Cadillac CTS — 2014 through 2019 model years
• Cadillac Escalade — 2015 through 2020 model years
• Cadillac XT4 — 2019 model year
• Cadillac XT5 — 2017 model year
• Cadillac XT6 — 2020 model year
• Cadillac XTS — 2013 through 2019 model years

This range spans Cadillac’s sedan, coupe, SUV, and crossover lines, from the compact ATS platform through the full-size Escalade. While these vehicles share the same FCC ID and transponder chip family, minor hardware revisions between model years can occasionally affect compatibility. Locksmiths should always cross-reference the VIN against current parts catalogs before ordering, particularly for single-year fitments like the 2017 XT5 and 2019 XT4, where mid-cycle production changes sometimes introduced updated remote hardware.

Programming Procedures and Equipment Requirements

Enrolling this smart key to a Cadillac vehicle is not a DIY procedure. The PCF7937E transponder requires bidirectional communication with a compatible scan tool to complete the security seed-key exchange. Popular platforms used by automotive locksmiths for GM proximity key programming include the Autel IM608 Pro, Smart Pro by Advanced Diagnostics, and the AutoProPAD G2 from Xtool. Each of these tools supports the GM security gateway protocols needed to write the fob’s transponder data to the vehicle’s immobilizer module.

The general programming workflow involves the following steps:

1. Connect the diagnostic tool to the vehicle’s OBD-II port and identify the platform by VIN.
2. Navigate to the immobilizer or smart key programming menu and select the appropriate Cadillac model and year.
3. Follow the on-screen prompts to place the body control module into key learn mode. On most Cadillac platforms from this generation, this involves a timeout sequence of approximately ten seconds.
4. Place the new fob inside the vehicle (typically on the center console or steering column pocket, depending on the model) so the low-frequency antenna can detect the transponder.
5. The tool will initiate the cryptographic exchange between the PCF7937E chip and the vehicle’s receiver. Once authentication is confirmed, the fob is registered.
6. Repeat for any additional keys. Most GM platforms allow up to eight smart keys to be enrolled simultaneously.
7. Exit learn mode and verify that the remote functions — lock, unlock, and passive entry — respond correctly at range, and that the push-to-start ignition recognizes the fob.

If all existing keys have been lost, the procedure becomes more involved. Some tool manufacturers require a PIN code derived from the vehicle’s VIN, while others support EEPROM-based recovery from the body control module. Locksmiths should consult their tool’s specific documentation for all-keys-lost protocols on each Cadillac model.

OEM vs. Aftermarket Considerations

Strattec Security Corporation is an OEM-tier manufacturer, meaning the fob carrying this FCC ID is built to the same specification as the unit originally installed at the factory. For Cadillac owners, this is a meaningful distinction: OEM-quality remotes tend to have superior button durability, tighter RF tolerances, and validated PCB coatings that resist moisture ingress over time. Aftermarket alternatives with matching FCC IDs do exist, but quality varies significantly across suppliers.

When sourcing this remote, verifying that the FCC ID printed on the back of the unit reads HYQ2EB is the fastest way to confirm hardware compatibility. The transponder chip inside — the PCF7937E — is not interchangeable with other Philips transponder variants, so substituting a visually similar fob with a different chip family will result in a unit that cannot authenticate with the vehicle’s immobilizer, even if the RF remote functions appear to work.

When to Contact a Locksmith

Cadillac owners who need a replacement proximity remote should work with an automotive locksmith experienced in GM smart key systems. Dealership programming is also an option, though wait times and pricing tend to be higher. A qualified locksmith with the correct equipment can typically program the fob on-site in under thirty minutes, including the transponder enrollment and functional verification of all remote features.

Because the Strattec Smart Key Fob (FCC ID HYQ2EB) spans such a wide range of Cadillac models — from the 2012 ATS through the 2020 CT6 and Escalade — it is one of the more commonly stocked GM proximity remotes in the locksmith aftermarket. Availability is generally strong, and the unit’s broad cross-compatibility makes it a practical choice for fleet operators and multi-vehicle households within the Cadillac lineup.

Related help: Cadillac auto locksmith, car key replacement, car key programming.

Compatible and related keys: related key: Strattec Smart Key Fob (FCC ID HYQ2AB), related key: Strattec Smart Key Fob, Aftermarket Transponder Key (chip ID46), Continental Automotive 5-Button Smart Key Fob (FCC ID YG0G20TB1) (compatible fob), related key: Strattec 5-Button Smart Key Fob (FCC ID NBG009768T), compatible Continental Automotive Smart Key Fob (FCC ID M3N5WY7777A), related key: Delphi 4-Button Remote Key Fob (FCC ID L2C0005T).