Key fob lock/unlock doesn't always work (not dead batteries)

[wparsons]

Hoping someone here might have some insight as to what is causing this issue for me...

The symptoms are simple, sometimes the car doesn't respond to the keyfob buttons at all. Lock/unlock/trunk/panic, nothing works. After pushing lots of buttons, eventually it works. Usually what works best is pressing the last button that was used prior to now (so unlocking it responds faster to lock), but that could just be in my head.

I've tried both keys, the second key has never been used but behaves the same. I've tried new batteries in both, no change. When it is responding I get great range (150-200 feet easily), even with the original batteries.

Once it starts to respond everything works great.

My guess is that for some reason the car doesn't understand the signal/encryption from the fob, but I really don't know how complicated that communication is, or if it could even fail like that.

Any thoughts?

[Kimsey47]

Yeah I have nothing... Sorry! I was thinking it was perhaps the car's own battery, but I would imagine you'd have more issues than the key fob.

[steve99]

Does the problem happen at a particular location like at home ? possibly some interfering transmitting device in area ?

[Freetime]

my guess is, you are keeping the keys somewhere that the buttons are being pushed frequently when you are away from the car. When this happens, you usually have to hit it quite a few times for it to catch up.

[turtlefeeder]

Had this issue before, hopefully this help

1, put key in ignition.
2, turn it all the way without starting engine, (dont turn on any other things like headlight or ac,etc if they're ON turn it OFF before starting)
3, let it sit for about 5 second.
4, start the car and let it sit for 5-10 min, if it's cold start give it 15.
5, turn I off engine, test key by standing a few feet away.

Repeat a few time if it does not work first time
If it does work every time you get in your car follow step two before ignition.

[wparsons]

Originally Posted by steve99

Does the problem happen at a particular location like at home ? possibly some interfering transmitting device in area ?

Nope, it happens pretty much everywhere.

Originally Posted by Freetime

my guess is, you are keeping the keys somewhere that the buttons are being pushed frequently when you are away from the car. When this happens, you usually have to hit it quite a few times for it to catch up.

I'll keep an eye out for that, but it happens every morning after the keys have been sitting on a shelf without buttons being pushed.

Originally Posted by turtlefeeder

Had this issue before, hopefully this help

1, put key in ignition.
2, turn it all the way without starting engine, (dont turn on any other things like headlight or ac,etc if they're ON turn it OFF before starting)
3, let it sit for about 5 second.
4, start the car and let it sit for 5-10 min, if it's cold start give it 15.
5, turn I off engine, test key by standing a few feet away.

Repeat a few time if it does not work first time
If it does work every time you get in your car follow step two before ignition.

I'll give that a shot, but since the key eventually works without starting it I'm not sure if that'll do much.

[Rican_D]

Originally Posted by wparsons

Hoping someone here might have some insight as to what is causing this issue for me...

The symptoms are simple, sometimes the car doesn't respond to the keyfob buttons at all. Lock/unlock/trunk/panic, nothing works. After pushing lots of buttons, eventually it works. Usually what works best is pressing the last button that was used prior to now (so unlocking it responds faster to lock), but that could just be in my head.

I've tried both keys, the second key has never been used but behaves the same. I've tried new batteries in both, no change. When it is responding I get great range (150-200 feet easily), even with the original batteries.

Once it starts to respond everything works great.

My guess is that for some reason the car doesn't understand the signal/encryption from the fob, but I really don't know how complicated that communication is, or if it could even fail like that.

Any thoughts?

I've had this issue trying to unlock

[turtlefeeder]

When this happened to me lock unlock and trunk will/will not work randomly but panic button still is functional also I notice when dome light is on auto and you open the door when remote still not working, dome light won't work either, if you have this same exact symptom than keep in mind my previous reply to this post. Had no problem after doing the whole procedure since than I started doing the turn key to "on" than wait for 5 sec till ignition, and key still working fine, no more issues from than on

[wparsons]

Originally Posted by turtlefeeder

When this happened to me lock unlock and trunk will/will not work randomly but panic button still is functional also I notice when dome light is on auto and you open the door when remote still not working, dome light won't work either, if you have this same exact symptom than keep in mind my previous reply to this post. Had no problem after doing the whole procedure since than I started doing the turn key to "on" than wait for 5 sec till ignition, and key still working fine, no more issues from than on

So... open it with the key instead of waiting for it to respond to the fob? I'll give that a shot tonight.

[turtlefeeder]

yeah, whatever it takes to get in the car first lol. if the fob is already working just use step 2 before any later ignitions. fob should stay working. keep us posted

[wparsons]

Tried that, even with the fob not working the dome light comes on. I always turn the car to on for a few seconds (until the tach has swept and the fuel gauge has moved) before starting it, so I wasn't too hopeful about that doing much. To be safe, I left it "on" before starting it for a good minute but no change.

I did notice something interesting though... if I press a button on the remote FAR from the car (like right now, car is many km's away) the little red light flashes. If I'm close to the car and the fob isn't working the light doesn't flash (tested in a dark garage last night), but as soon as it starts responding the light works again.

Not sure if it's a red herring or not... but the behaviour was consistent with both fobs.

[jasonojordan]

I have a range issue with mine. You literally have to be standing about 2' or less from the car for it to work. Does it with both key fobs and one new replacement fob the dealer got me with new batteries. Gave up after 4 trips to the dealer and the issue not being resolved.

[wparsons]

It's not a range issue, when it's working it works 150-200 feet away. When it's not working, it doesn't work sitting in the drivers seat (key out of the ignition).

[wparsons]

Bump this back up... anyone else have any suggestions?

It seems to be getting worse, I haven't had it work right away once in a couple weeks now. I'm going to try re-programming the fobs to the car, but I don't have much hope for that since they do work eventually.