Key fob not working

Key fob all of a sudden stopped working for unlocking/locking doors, panic button still works. Tried both fobs, replaced batteries still not working. After months of using key to unlock, tried fob and mysteriously it has worked but maybe only once every week or two. Any body have any ideas, don’t want to go through stealership! Thanks for any feed back.

 

Here are the complete process for programming the remote FOBS. You may want to clear everything and reprogram the truck to receive the FOBs you have. Note: The info in RED for other models.

Try this. There are 4 modes. You should use Rewrite Mode to start over and only program the remotes you want to use.

There are four different programming commands when setting up or verifying your remote transmitter, they are:

1. Add mode, used to add a remote to your car that is not currently registered.
2. Rewrite mode, used to erase all previously registered remotes and allow you to begin again the programming process.
3. Confirmation mode, used to verify the number of remotes that are already programmed in your car.
4. Prohibit mode, to prohibit all remotes from operating the door locks.

https://www.carandtruckremotes.com/...eplacement-keyless-entry-control-remotes.html

Procedure To Program Toyota Wireless Remote Transmitters:

Begin with: The driver's door open and unlocked. Key out of the ignition.

1. Insert and remove the key from the ignition switch 2 times within 5 seconds.

NOTE: Steps 2 and 3 should be performed within 40 seconds.

2. Close and open driver's door TWICE.

3. Insert the key into the ignition and remove it.

NOTE: Steps 4 - 6 should be performed within 40 seconds.

4. Close and open the driver's door twice.

5. Insert the key into the ignition.

6. Close the door.

NOTE: Steps 5 and 6 should be reversed for the following models ONLY (close door first, then insert key into ignition):

2000 - 2005 Celica

2001 - 2003 Prius

2001 - 2005 ECHO

2001 - 2005 RAV4

2003 - 2004 Avalon

7. Turn the ignition switch from "Lock" to "On" and back to "Lock" at about 1 second intervals to select the desired mode:

1 time for ADD mode.

2 times for REWRITE mode.

3 times for CONFIRMATION mode.

5 times for PROHIBITION mode.

8. Remove the key from the ignition.

9. To confirm your mode selection, the power locks will now cycle "lock" to "unlock" a number of times corresponding to your key cycles in step 7.

NOTE: If Confirmation or Prohibition modes have been selected, opening the door will complete the procedure.

10. For Add or Rewrite modes do the following within 40 seconds of Door

Procedure Lock confirmation:

A. Press both car transmitter Lock and Unlock buttons simultaneously between 1 and 1.5 seconds and release.

B. Within 3 seconds of step A, press the transmitter Lock button for more than 1 second and release.

If the keyless entry remote transmitter has been successfully programmed, the power locks will cycle "lock" to "unlock" once at this time.

If there are problems with the remote transmitter or the procedure up to this point, the locks will cycle twice. If this occurs, verify that you have received the correct transmitter, and then repeat the above procedure.

C. If multiple remotes are to be reprogrammed, repeat steps A and B.

11. Open the driver's door to conclude programming mode.

 

Jimmyh I tried that awhile back but at the end the door locks cycled twice and I never got around to trying it again. What would make my fobs to work periodically in the 1st place but panic button sounds horn ever time? It seems like it might have started when my battery terminal got loose one day and had to retighten it. I just dont think it needs reprogramming being it works periodically! Thanks for the info though!

 

What I would try is to blank them out and then reprogram from scratch.

It could be a lot of things honestly. Maybe open the transmitters up and spraying out the buttons with an electrical contact cleaner.

 

Had the same problem and both FOBs did not work within a week so afyter changing batteries I starting chasing the transmitter and that was not it.
Go on eBay and buy used ones and reprogram then all worked. Go figure but for about $20 worth a try.
Not sure how the new Chinese ones work at many stores even ACE. Maybe Jimmy has the answer above so try that first.

 

I have 2 fobs that came with the truck I purchased brand new off the lot, and one of the fobs has been in my top drawer for 14 years. Never been in my pants pocket. I replaced batteries on both fobs and they both act the same (no un/lock features, but panic button works). I was thinking maybe has something to do with ECU? When I get a chance I’m going to the stealership and I’ll ask parts department if they can give me any ideas. I already know service reps will say a service tech has to look at it. I’ll just keep using it the old fashioned way…with the key to unlock, I can lock from the door before exiting. Thanks again for your input.

 

Muddog321 that sounds like a good solution, I’ll try to reprogram the ones I have one more time for I think I didn’t go through the sequences fast enough and if that fails I’ll look into that. Thanks for your input

 

I had two key fobs that came with my truck, one worked, the other didn't. Changed battery, no change. Then I did this....same procedure as OP above.
Have all transmitters for the vehicle at hand, but use only the one that needs reprogramming....

1. With the key out of the ignition, unlock and open drivers door (all other doors must be closed)
2. Within 5 seconds,
Insert the key into the ignition (Do NOT Turn it) and Pull key out.
Insert the key into the ignition (Do NOT Turn it) and Pull key out.

3. Within 40 seconds,
Close then open the drivers door.
Close then open the drivers door.
Insert the key into the ignition (Do NOT Turn it) and Pull key out.

4. Within 40 seconds.
Close then open the drivers door.
Close then open the drivers door.
Insert the key into ignition and leave it in the ignition.
Close the drivers door. Turn the ignition to ON then back to OFF (Do NOT Start or crank engine).
Remove the key from the ignition.

5. Within 3 seconds, the power door locks should lock then unlock automatically indicating successful entry into programming mode. Return to step 1 if the door locks do not cycle at this point or try the alternate procedure listed below.

6. Within 40 second,
A. Press the lock and unlock buttons on the remote simultaneously for 1.5 seconds.
B. Immediately after letting go of the lock and unlock buttons, press and hold the lock button by itself.
Within 10 seconds, the door locks should lock and then unlock once indicating successful programming.
(If the door locks cycle twice, repeat steps A and B in step 6 as the remote was not accepted)
Repeat steps A and B in step 6 for each new remote.

7. Open drivers door.



I had to do it three different times, once I got the sequence right, bingo, useless remote working properly. I have been sitting on this for over a year, finally did the deed today. I got flustered thinking it wouldn't work. By the third try I knew the sequence pretty well, then bing bang boom, it worked. A little sketchy at the end with the door locks not staying locked, it would revert to open by itself, but once you open the door and close it one last time after all the steps outlined, the fob was in working order...I skipped section 6 as the locks started the recycle sequence, but executed step 7 for success...

I don't even want to mention how much the dealer wanted to do this. 5 minutes max people..

 

@Jimmyh

Does this procedure work for all years or specific years? If specific years, please specify.

Thank you.

Seems not much more complex than the Temp Check Mode for AT fluid level......just need the sequence and timing.

<edit> Nevermind.....found the answer. 2002-2013 Tacoma years.

 

As far as I know, it works for 2nd gens and the first year or two of the 3rd gens....

 

Sorry to bring back an old thread..

Was experiencing similar issues with my key fob last night, seemingly randomly. Tried the sequence and it worked, kind of. Enough to make the door locks flip once. This morning I had my other stock key fob that I hadn’t tried yet. Didn’t try the sequence, used that one, worked perfectly. Then my other key fob that wasn’t working magically worked again. Could be just a fluke. Hopefully this helps someone in the future instead of having to do that video game cheat code sequence to reprogram your fob