Key remote dead (I already searched)
 

Key fob died today. I can start the car but the remote doesn't work at all to turn off the shitty alarm they put in these things. Replaced the coin battery and no dice. Not willing to re-test if it still starts the car right now because if the alarm goes off there's nothing I can do about it and it arms itself whether or not the car is locked.



Done the cursory research/read the threads through the years that google dredged up but the problem is those are for if you lost the key. I have the key; the problem is the remote dying and being unable to shut the alarm up (what kind of alarm doesn't fuck off when you turn the car on with the fucking transponder key??). Can I buy an aftermarket fob and have it programmed or do I need to buy an OEM key?


Just trying to gauge how fucked I am.

try another battery first. sometimes those cells go bad on the shelf.

also wouldn't hurt to clean the battery contacts with a lint-free cloth and some alcohol.

Do you have a second fob?
Something is way off though since the alarm should not arm if the car isn’t locked.
You can try disarming the alarm completely. Instructions should be in your manual.
If not they are in post 10 here https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=115733

No second fob. Only got one when I bought the car last year.

Hm. Well it's what it does. After about a minute or so (haven't timed it) it arms itself unless the car is on. Enormous pain in the ass.

Those instructions are for a push-start car after '17. Mine's key start, '15. Will give it a go regardless tomorrow, if I can't get the fob working after trying a different new battery. If I can't get it to shut the fuck up when I try this what happens if I disconnect the battery with the alarm triggered? I assume it will shut it up but I hate fucking with electronic shit I don't understand very well.

Ok the key start 15s didn’t come with an alarm system so it must be an aftermarket one. Unfortunately there is no way to know how to disarm it without knowing what make and model.

God damn it I cannot afford this right now.

good news then. if it's an aftermarket alarm, there's a fuse somewhere near the main body of the alarm. find it, pull it, alarm disabled.

many times they like hiding the main alarm body(about the size of a CD, usually a black square box), under the drivers side panels by the steering column, as all the door lock/power wiring is there in the fuse box.

When you say “fob” do you mean you have one separate from the key?

It's all one unit. The combined key+fob. OEM with the Scion logo on it. Would snap a pic but honestly I'm in a bad mood and just can't be fucked to bother right now.


I really appreciate the help and will update tomorrow when I go monkey with the car. I won't be that asshole troubleshooting a car alarm at 11PM.

Well as Sound said there should be a fuse someplace. It may be an inline one or wired directly to the fuse box. May take some searching but it will be a cheap and easy fix.

There are only so many systems that would work with the stock key but without knowing that doesn’t help much.

Replacement battery was a dud. Ohhhhh thank fuck.


Man I needed a win.

KISS

Keep It Simple and Smart.

all that overthinking and getting ready to burn the car down, and it all came down to a $3 battery!

Haha yeah. Love this car way too much to burn it down though.



Glad someone told me those are known to be duds. Was not excited about having to ask my father for a loan, know what I mean?

I would still do away with that system if it arms even when unlocked. Be a major pain in the ass.