Key Card Issue

Hello!

Has anyone had to replace the battery in their key card (credit card style) yet? A friend of mine replaced his about 2 months ago, and said it hasn't worked since. I figured he just screwed something up. Well, two days ago I got a "key fob battery low" message on my MID, so I replaced the battery in mine. Guess what...it doesn't work now! And unfortunately I was away from home for a few days, and didn't have any fobs with me.

I was still able to start the truck with the card right next to the start button, but every time I unlocked the truck with the key the alarm would go off until I started the truck.

Luckily I'm back home now and can use my fob.

I did a quick Google search and found that if these cards lose power, that they may need to be reprogrammed!

Anyone else have any insight/experience with this?

Thank you!

 

I did the Lexus wallet key mod for my 3rd gen and have replaced the battery a couple times with no issue. I can't imaging the toyota logo version works any different.

Make sure you put it in with the correct orientation, + on same side as logo, and if you got one of those child safety batteries try scrubbing the coating off where the battery makes contact.

 

Make sure you have the correct battery size/model. I’m told it’s not the typical 2032 type.

 

Correct. It's a CR2412 which can be difficult to find locally but is available on Amazon etc.

 

Thanks for all of the input so far, everyone! But check, check, and check to all of that so far!

 

Time for a trip to the stealership

 

If you have a voltmeter, check the new battery voltage - sometimes ya get a dud. If it's reading ~3 volts then time to visit the stealership.

 

I had to replace the key card battery after about 1 year. The key card is often finicky. When I first got it, it always worked with my wallet in my back pocket. Now, I often have to take the card out and bring it closer to the door handle to get it to respond. I had one occasion since I replaced the battery where the key card would not work. I took the battery out and back in and then it worked. I think there is some inconsistent quality on batteries coming from Amazon.

 

I got the ‘key not detected’ message a few times and had to remove the battery and then re-insert it. First time it happened I was 3 hours from home, can definitely be unnerving… on long trips I’ll use the real FOB from now on.

 

Honestly I prefer the traditional keyfob. Just pop it in your pocket and you’re good to go. You can remote start, lower the tailgate, lock and unlock it from a distance. Once the novelty of the credit card key goes away it’s not a big deal unless you want to use to start conversation with random people because it’s cool.

 

No novelty here. I like not having a traditional key or fob in my pocket as this fits right in my wallet, which I always have with me anyway. 95% or more of the time it is just me, so I have no need to unlock the door before I open it, and I don't have a fancy power tailgate. I don't park where I'd be able to start the truck with the fob, so the remote start with the fob is a moot point for me.

I've used only the credit card key for over a year now that I've had the truck, and it'll kind of suck if I have to get it reprogrammed to work. Yes, I went most of my life without one, but now that I've had one, I want it to work!

 

Most of those batteries are now in “impossible for old people to open” packaging but I had one a couple weeks ago that was covered in such a thin plastic I couldn’t even tell. I think it has bitter tasting additives to keep the kiddies from popping them like a skittles. That might be your culprit.

 

Duracell are the worst for that coating and packaging.

 

Over 8 years with the wallet key and counting. (Lexus mod with my 3rd gen)

Never was a novelty, just super convenient to not carry a fob in a pocket. Just grab my wallet and go.

I lock/unlock/remote-start from my watch.

Each to their own though, if carrying something extra works for you, great.

 

My key card stays in my work bag. That bag is always with me when I go to and from work. Works great to unlock doors as I walk up and to start the engine while it's inside the bag on the back seat. The less I have in my pockets the better.

 

WTH? Have you seen the size of a keyfob? carry extra. You guys are only carrying a card key because you think you’re cool and want to flex to other people which is weird.
What a joke.

 

This is a joke post right?

 

Has to be. Too silly to be real.

 

Yeah....