Key FOB lock / unlock only working intermittently...

a couple weeks ago my key fob remote started working only intermittently. Would only lock / unlock after a random number of clicks and at random distances. Figured the battery was dead after almost 8 years and so I replaced it about a week ago - didn't fix the issue. If anything, it's gotten worse since.

Any ideas? Key hasn't been through the wash or dropped or run over or anything fun. I'll replace the battery again tonight but beyond that, not sure what might be going on.

 

does the other fob do the same? I would start there to narrow it down.

GL

 

that is a great question - lost that key ages ago so I've only got the one with a fob. I'd made a valet key years ago as a backup, but no remote buttons on it.

just replaced the battery and it seems to work fine. I guess I'll give it the week and report back

 

I know you said you changed already but my batteries died this year for 2019, so roughly 5.5yrs. Did exactly as you described but was almost as if it charged while driving because I could get click or two afterwards but couldn't click before driving.

Also spares were dead at same time so thru me for a loop for a minute.

 

energizer batteries work best with the fobs

 

Scrub/clean the contacts too. Mine was being a pita like you described and I think I got another couple months out of it

 

circling back on this one - I changed out the batteries to Duracell from the 2 random Amazon brands I'd been using and it's been working great every since.

Some things are worth paying up for the brand name

 

For anyone that has two key fobs you can turn off the one not being used to save the battery.

To turn off a Toyota Tacoma key fob (putting it into a battery-saving sleep mode), press and hold the "lock" button on the fob, then quickly press the "unlock" button twice; you should see the light on the fob flash to confirm it's deactivated.