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Hello all!

Man, it's been (literally) years! (last visit 12-08-2015!).

I'm back though, and glad to see ezone is still around :P.



Anyways, I was wondering what the limits are of the key FOB and how other people's battery life is on them?

I LOVE the features of the keyfob, like the auto-start and the sequence to roll all the windows down & open the moon roof. For any that don't know, you press the unlock button twice, and then press and hold it for a third time...the windows and moonroof will start opening and keep going until they are all the way open, or until you release the button.


Problem I have, it is INCREDIBLY sporadic if these functions work or not. The windows are the main concern. I have to be very, VERY close for this function to work properly. I'm not sure if this is intended, or if there is an issue, or if my FOB battery is simply low (But it's only been 1.5 years?). If I'm more than 20 ft away (measured it) the windows will start rolling down but then stop about 1/4 of the way. More than 50 ft away and they barely open more than a crack. I have to be within 10-15 ft for the windows to roll all the way down.

Any ideas? Anyone else have key FOB battery life reports for me to compare?


Thanks!

 
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Rep Power: 518

Waaaaasssssup?



If you're close enough it responds to the keyfob unlock command, it's close enough to roll down the windows with the fob. If you're out of range, you're out of range. If the battery is weak and it stops transmitting under a load (holding the button down) then just replace the battery and it should return to normal.

When the fob battery gets low enough to be critical, the dash should display a message stating the fob battery is low. (each fob is independent, but if both are used often you might want to replace batteries in both at the same time when the message appears.....Check your owners manual on this, IIRC all of the smart key cars can show the message)

Battery life is much shorter with the keyless access (smart keyfob) because it is now a 2 way communication device instead of a one way device. It has to transmit its signal if it is within range of the car before the car will do what it's supposed to do. You cannot start the car unless you have the fob inside or on your person, and the car has to verify that fob is present before it can work. Same for remote starting.
If you watch the red LED on the fob, not only does it light up when you push a button, it will also blink every time it responds to a ping from the car; every time you use the proximity sense to unlock the doors by touch, and starting the car.

HTH

 
Rep Power: 186

Good information. Any tricks to getting to the battery in the fob? I broke the plastic on my 2006's key replacing it's battery so I'm a little hesitant to try on this one.

I'll be at the dealer later today, I'll ask how much they'll charge but I'm pretty sure I won't like the answer lol.

 
Rep Power: 518

Pull out the key. Use the key to split the shell open.
It's a watch battery. Once you know what type it is, go almost anywhere to buy one?

 
Rep Power: 186

Dealership was selling them for $3, could get a 5 pack on Amazon for $5 but didn't feel like waiting.


The gentleman at the parts counter said they are seeing around 2 years on the battery for most people, and I'm at 1.5 years so I'm guessing the battery was indeed getting low (will test when I get my car back from 'em)
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Rep Power: 367

oh, hey Jordan, new car?

 
Rep Power: 228

Welcome back 😁.

lol, ya that video is funny, I was going to post the same one.

you can also try opening the fob, finding the antenna and soldering a loop of small, insulated wire to it.