Fob buttons stopped working

[edwardl]

2018 push start brz


The other day I tried so start my car and the battery was dead. I ended up jumping it but afterwards noticed I couldn't lock my car. None of the buttons on my fob would work. I couldn't lock, unlock, or open my trunk.



However, I can still lock and unlock the car by touching the door handle and start the car just fine with the fob in my pocket. But the buttons do nothing.


The red light on the fob lights up when I hit them so the buttons are doing something.


I replaced the battery in the fob twice just in case the first one I replaced was also dead but no change.


The 2nd fob that came with the car still works fine.



What could've caused this?

[DarkPira7e]

Take the battery out of the working fob and put it into the non working fob.
As unlikely as it is that both batteries you tried are duds, a working example is better than an unknown variable.

If the buttons are reactive but not operating as intended, it's likely that it's either become de-programmed ( extremely unlikely) or some trauma has broken the functions.
Trauma could be-
Having liquid spilled on it
Physical high shock events (dropping, slamming, pressing buttons way too hard)
Existing in 2020
Extreme heat or cold (unlikely)

[humfrz]

I addition, I suggest you examine the prongs on the fob to make sure they are touching the battery properly. Carefully bend them slightly if necessary.

The fob on mrs humfrz saturn started acting up. Bubba placed a piece of match pack between the battery and prongs and the top of the case, so when it was snapped close, contact was made. That was two years ago and it still works -

[edwardl]

Swapped the known good battery from the working fob. No change.


Confirmed full pin contact, no change.



No damage to the fob, no liquids spilled no drops, always in my pocket.


It can't be the fob being desynced from the car since the dome light still comes on when I approach and I can lock/unlock from the handle and start the car.


Maybe the buttons just shat out? Any chance this is something I can get replaced under warranty?

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by edwardl

Swapped the known good battery from the working fob. No change.


Confirmed full pin contact, no change.



No damage to the fob, no liquids spilled no drops, always in my pocket.


It can't be the fob being desynced from the car since the dome light still comes on when I approach and I can lock/unlock from the handle and start the car.


Maybe the buttons just shat out? Any chance this is something I can get replaced under warranty?

Well, it's worth a try. Whether or not it's covered under the warranty may depend on how the service person is feeling that day -

Good luck.

[DarkPira7e]

Originally Posted by edwardl

Maybe the buttons just shat out? Any chance this is something I can get replaced under warranty?

At worst, you're out about ~$350. Nothing ventured nothing gained, may as well ask.
Or make this your spare and use the fob that functions! That will cost nothing