Key Fob Issue - Subaru Enthusiasts Car Club of the Sierras

cody · 2010-01-08, 05:33 PM

This problem started earlier this week. I have to keep pushing buttons on my fob to get the door to unlock. I changed the battery and re-married the fob by pushing one of the buttons 6 times (as instructed in my owner's manual). It seemed fixed, but the problem came back. Just now, repeatedly pushing buttons didnt' fix it so I held down the Lock Button for like 10 seconds (which should have set off the panic but didn't) and then the unlock button worked.

I see the same behavior with 2nd fob.

I have the OEM alarm. It's not in valet mode.

The red LED on the fob stays on for a long time after pushing the button, not sure if this is new behavior.

Hopefully this is just one of those RTFM things like the parking light switch. Otherwise I bet it's gonna be an expensive fix.

cody · 2010-01-08, 06:09 PM

I'm thinking maybe loose contacts somewhere because I could have sworn my Reverse lights weren't working earlier this week but they do now (and so does the fob). Any details on what contacts I can check? I have some of that battery terminal spray. Is that good to spray on contacts? It's purple.

cody · 2010-01-14, 11:17 AM

Bump, I'm still having this issue. I posted it on Nabisco too.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...php?p=29404062

If I can't find the issue, who should I take it too?

Dean · 2010-01-14, 11:23 AM

Pull, check and put back in all relays and fuses from both blocks and and clean anything crusty. Find any main junction/connectors between the fuse box and the security/door lock controller and pull/check/clean and plug those back in. Check connections on idividual modules as well.

cody · 2010-01-14, 11:33 AM

Do you know where the controller is located?

Dean · 2010-01-14, 11:34 AM

I don't recall. RTFsM.

sperry · 2010-01-14, 11:47 AM

Have you done the obvious step of replacing the batteries in your fobs? Sure it's not very likely that they're both bad at the same time, but it's a good 1st step before tearing all the wiring out of the car.

cody · 2010-01-14, 11:54 AM

I have. That was the first thing I tried. The manual says that the LED will stop lighting and range will be reduced when batteries are dying. My LED is bright and sometimes stays lit for a while after pushing the button when it can't comunicate to the controller.

2010-01-08, 05:33 PM	#1
cody Candy Mountain Real Name: Cody Join Date: May 2005 Location: Californication Posts: 7,751 Car: 03 Pussy Wagon, now with more pink! Class: TESP OMG Internet!	Key Fob Issue This problem started earlier this week. I have to keep pushing buttons on my fob to get the door to unlock. I changed the battery and re-married the fob by pushing one of the buttons 6 times (as instructed in my owner's manual). It seemed fixed, but the problem came back. Just now, repeatedly pushing buttons didnt' fix it so I held down the Lock Button for like 10 seconds (which should have set off the panic but didn't) and then the unlock button worked. I see the same behavior with 2nd fob. I have the OEM alarm. It's not in valet mode. The red LED on the fob stays on for a long time after pushing the button, not sure if this is new behavior. Hopefully this is just one of those RTFM things like the parking light switch. Otherwise I bet it's gonna be an expensive fix. __________________ Slow and low, that is the tempo.

2010-01-08, 06:09 PM	#2
cody Candy Mountain Real Name: Cody Join Date: May 2005 Location: Californication Posts: 7,751 Car: 03 Pussy Wagon, now with more pink! Class: TESP OMG Internet!	I'm thinking maybe loose contacts somewhere because I could have sworn my Reverse lights weren't working earlier this week but they do now (and so does the fob). Any details on what contacts I can check? I have some of that battery terminal spray. Is that good to spray on contacts? It's purple. __________________ Slow and low, that is the tempo.

2010-01-14, 11:17 AM	#3
cody Candy Mountain Real Name: Cody Join Date: May 2005 Location: Californication Posts: 7,751 Car: 03 Pussy Wagon, now with more pink! Class: TESP OMG Internet!	Bump, I'm still having this issue. I posted it on Nabisco too. http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...php?p=29404062 If I can't find the issue, who should I take it too? __________________ Slow and low, that is the tempo.

2010-01-14, 11:23 AM	#4
Dean Señor Cheap Bastarde Real Name: Dean Join Date: May 2003 Location: $99 Tire Store Posts: 9,294 Car: $.04 STI Class: Fast,Cheap & Reliable=STI Deal, did somebody say Deal? Oh, Dean, yeah that's me.	Pull, check and put back in all relays and fuses from both blocks and and clean anything crusty. Find any main junction/connectors between the fuse box and the security/door lock controller and pull/check/clean and plug those back in. Check connections on idividual modules as well. __________________ I am a Commodore PET --- Now get off my lawn you kids...

2010-01-14, 11:33 AM	#5
cody Candy Mountain Real Name: Cody Join Date: May 2005 Location: Californication Posts: 7,751 Car: 03 Pussy Wagon, now with more pink! Class: TESP OMG Internet!	Do you know where the controller is located? __________________ Slow and low, that is the tempo.

2010-01-14, 11:34 AM	#6
Dean Señor Cheap Bastarde Real Name: Dean Join Date: May 2003 Location: $99 Tire Store Posts: 9,294 Car: $.04 STI Class: Fast,Cheap & Reliable=STI Deal, did somebody say Deal? Oh, Dean, yeah that's me.	I don't recall. RTFsM. __________________ I am a Commodore PET --- Now get off my lawn you kids...

2010-01-14, 11:47 AM	#7
sperry The Doink Real Name: Scott Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 20,335 Car: '09 OBXT, '02 WRX, '96 Miata Class: PDX/TT-6 The way out is through	Have you done the obvious step of replacing the batteries in your fobs? Sure it's not very likely that they're both bad at the same time, but it's a good 1st step before tearing all the wiring out of the car. __________________ Is you is, or is you ain't, my con-stit-u-ints?

2010-01-14, 11:54 AM	#8
cody Candy Mountain Real Name: Cody Join Date: May 2005 Location: Californication Posts: 7,751 Car: 03 Pussy Wagon, now with more pink! Class: TESP OMG Internet!	I have. That was the first thing I tried. The manual says that the LED will stop lighting and range will be reduced when batteries are dying. My LED is bright and sometimes stays lit for a while after pushing the button when it can't comunicate to the controller. __________________ Slow and low, that is the tempo.

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