System and method to operate an extended range keyless entry system to recognize a keyless entry transmitter.

A communication system (10), an in-vehicle communication module (24), and a method (300) for operating a keyless entry receiver (12) in a vehicle (14) to recognize a keyless entry transmitter (16). An internet server (20) is used to store programming data for operating the keyless entry receiver (12) to recognize the keyless entry transmitter (16). An in-vehicle communication module (24) is used to communicate with a diagnostic bus (26) of the vehicle (14) to determine a vehicle identity, communicate with the internet server (20) to download programming data corresponding to the vehicle identity, operate the keyless entry receiver (12) into a learn mode via the diagnostic bus (26) and in accordance with the programming data, and operate a keyless entry transmitter (16) to transmit a keyless entry signal (22) effective for the keyless entry receiver (12) to recognize the keyless entry transmitter (16).