2016 Tacoma Keyless Entry Problem

I have never had any problems with the system until about a month ago. It is an OEM installation so not something I have done myself or messed with. I took it to a dealership thinking the battery I replaced erased the memory or something. They could not find the problem after a couple of hours. Here is a breakdown of what it is doing.

What still works....
1. pushbutton start
2. when I approach the vehicle the interior lights come on like they are supposed to
3. the lock and unlock buttons on the inside of the two front doors
What does not work...
1. key fob buttons will not operate the door locks, the red light on the fob comes on when the buttons are pressed but the door locks do not respond.
2. the touch function on the drivers handle does not work either to lock or unlock the driver's door.
3. I locked the keys inside the truck and the dash middle display comes on with a message the the keys are still inside the truck, an audible alarm sounds that notifies me I have left the keys inside but the door will not automatically unlock. I have to use the manual key to unlock the door.

I initially thought it was a fob battery. I replaced it myself before I realized anything was wrong and it did not fix it. When I took it to the dealership, I told them I thought it was the fob battery. After two hours they could not find out what was wrong. According to the technician, when he hooked the diagnostic tool to the truck everything starting working but when he took it off the problem returned.

Anybody have any ideas about what I can check? Anybody experienced a similar problem?

 

You have two key fobs right? What happens with the second fob?

If nothing happens with either, then I'd look at whatever the sensor/antenna or whatever it is that picks up the signal within the truck itself.

 

Sounds like you’ve got the fob locked out. There’s a button sequence that disables it.

it’s like press lock then hold unlock or something til it beeps. I don’t remember off hand

edit: hold lock and press unlock twice

 

I only have one fob. Previous owner lost one of them.

 

There's literally hundreds of pages in the FSM relating to the Smart Key . . .
Most of it is written in Greek.

Maybe you could try disconnecting the truck battery for about 20 minutes, then reconnect?

 

I am not familiar with the system. Is there a thread or other resource that explains where all the various components are located and what each one does?

 

Download the 2016 Factory Service Manual from this post. It's not easy to find stuff in the manual, but I think the Smart Key info starts around page 2300 or so.

 

There are two receivers for the key, one behind the dash to detect keys in, ignition start etc and one above the rear headliner to detect keys for lock/unlock. From your description is sounds like the one in the headliner is a problem. Since the tech said it works with the diagnosis tool plugged in, it could well be wiring issue, which would be hard to find. Quite a few people have had issues with the system and aftermarket electrics like led bulbs or powering dash cams, so it’s quite finicky.

 

That is good information. I will check the receiver. Your comments about a wiring issue could well be true. The previous owner had dual power seats installed, obviously not factory even though the harnesses used are OEM. Whoever tied it in had to know where to connect the wires for them to work. I have had the truck for about 18 months and never had any issues at all until a month ago.

 

try this..i would add on (do first) disconnect the truck battery for a few minutes then connect back up then do Shellshock's idea..

 

Well, disconnected the negative terminal on the battery for about 30 minutes......when I reconnected it the key fob now works normally! Thanks for the suggestions. Any ideas about why this would work?

 

CTRL-ALT-DEL

 

I guess the dealer spent a couple of hours trying to understand Greek. I guess they never did try the simplest remedy for possible computer issues. Hopefully they didn't charge you for their couple hours of wasted time.

 

What?

The antenna in the overhead rear location is for the Tire Pressure Warning System.

 

go to the door lock system in the manual. There is a receiver on the drivers side towards the back of the cab (so over rear seat). Further back than the one shown in that image and not central. One you show is not the one I referenced in my post

 

Show me...the central antenna is inside the center console rearmost part.



The one in the front is above the SRS ECU

 

No. I’m at an airport on a phone and have better things to to than prove you wrong. You obviously have the information at your hands, look at either the exploded parts diagram of the keyless entry system or the diagnostic procedures of the system and you’d be blind to miss it. Or wait a few days when I’m in front of a computer and I’ll post a pic from the service manual.


Edit. Quick google. Crap image compared to manual but you can see it.
http://www.ttguide.net/images/books/171/E333586E05.png

 

Y'all might be arguing over the same thing. It seems that the TPMS Receiver includes the electrical Key (Door Control Receiver) on vehicles that include TPMS.
I think that might be all vehicles sold in the U.S.?

 

Didn't think it was a "competition" and now an argument...
The info now is, there are receiving antennas on driver's handle, 2 in the vehicle's center-line and, depending on "type", an extra one in the overhead.

 

I don't claim to know anything about any of this. But I do think I was the first to suggest disconnecting the battery, and that seems to have fixed the OP's issue at least for now.
I simply looked in the FSM to try to find whatever mutely was talking about. But from the images and description I found it appears the devices in question are one in the same, located in the same headliner position.
The device appears to be dual-function if the vehicle has TPMS, or single-function (door control only) if the vehicle doesn't have TPMS. From the images I found I can't really tell if the device is located in the center area of the headliner or the rear area.
Truth is, I don't really care unless mine breaks.