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2018 TRD Key Fobs Not Working As Well As They Used To

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by Rat Man, Jul 13, 2025 at 12:42 PM.

  1. Jul 13, 2025 at 12:42 PM
    #1
    Rat Man

    Rat Man [OP] Member

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    My truck is 7 years old, and I am using both of the OEM key fobs. Recently, they both stopped operating normally. And yes, I have already replaced the batteries twice and even tested the battery's voltage (3.2v).
    I used to be able to lock/unlock the truck from inside my house. I used to be able to touch the door handle to unlock with the key in my pocket. Now I'm lucky if I can get the door to unlock when I am holding the fob in my hand and touching the handle.
    I think the problem is in the truck. The BCM perhaps.
    Any tips will be greatly appreciated!
     
    TacoTime55 and Beerpayzdabillz like this.
  2. Jul 13, 2025 at 2:41 PM
    #2
    Anchovy

    Anchovy Rule #1: Never take me seriously

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    I’ve noticed something similar with mine
     
  3. Jul 13, 2025 at 2:46 PM
    #3
    TA2016

    TA2016 Well-Known Member

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    Gently rub steel wool on the metal contacts where the coin battery sits. A couple of years ago, this helped my Fob to work better when a new battery did not help.
     
    Okiedokie59 and itsnotatoy like this.
  4. Jul 13, 2025 at 2:54 PM
    #4
    Midnight beauty

    Midnight beauty Well-Known Member

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    White mountains AZ
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    My 2020 is doing the same thing
     
  5. Jul 13, 2025 at 5:01 PM
    #5
    TacoTime55

    TacoTime55 TT59

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    Delaware
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    TRD Lift,OTT Tune, LED HLs,TRDSkid, TalonCAT
    I've got a 2021 and the FOB keys aren't performing like they did the first 2-3 years.

    The actions explained can sometimes take a second to react on my FOB.

    I'll watch it closely.
     
  6. Jul 13, 2025 at 5:17 PM
    #6
    itsnotatoy

    itsnotatoy Well-Known Member

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    I agree with TA 2016.

    The battery contacts may be dirty or have some corrosion on them.
     
  7. Jul 13, 2025 at 6:23 PM
    #7
    doublethebass

    doublethebass aspiring well-known member

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    Antoin
    Minneapolis MN
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    ’17 6MT Pro
    I had similar problems with my 2017….changed the batteries with some Amazon generics a couple times, didn’t fix it. Swapped to Duracell and problems have been gone for over a year
     
    itsnotatoy likes this.
  8. Jul 14, 2025 at 8:47 PM
    #8
    Rat Man

    Rat Man [OP] Member

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    I'll clean the contacts and hope for the best. But again, this is both fobs acting the same way. I was thinking the BCM. Any BCM theorists out there?
     
  9. Jul 14, 2025 at 9:19 PM
    #9
    Dm93

    Dm93 Test Don't Guess

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    Predator tube steps, Ranch Hand grill guard, Magnaflow CatBack exhaust, Toyota tool box & bed mat, 2LO Module by @Up2NoGood, Rearview Compass/Temp Mirror, Tune by @JustDSM.
    The Body ECU has nothing to do with the Smart Key, all Smart Key functions are handled by the Certification ECU, several antenna's, and the Electrical Key/Door Control/TPMS Receiver.
    Service info doesn't really specify a minimum range that it should work in.
     

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    Chew likes this.

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