a first secret key code indicated at 72 this first secret key code 72 is stored within the current memory location 66 within the memory device 62 of the vehicle controller 22 as indicated at 84 and shown as step 1 in fig3 each of the corresponding transmitters 66 is also programmable from the controller 22 to include the first secret code 72 programming of the vehicle controller 22 is provided by a programming module 60 the programming module 60 is shown schematically and may be facilitated by a hand held device or software generated and run on a portable computer or other device that is capable of communicating with the vehicle controller 22 in a secure manner normal operation is established once the initial program complete and storage of the secret code concluded in both the vehicle controller 22 and each of the plurality of transmitters 26 normal operation includes the transmission of an encrypted code that is encrypted utilizing the secret key code this transmission from a transmitter 26 is accompanied by non encrypted data except for the secret key upon receipt of this data by the vehicle controller 22 the encrypted data is decrypted utilizing the stored key code the decrypted data is then compared to the non encrypted data to assure validity and authorization of the transmission to operate the various functions of vehicle 10 when it is desired to reprogram the secret key to replace or ensure certain security needs the first secret code value 72 is saved in.