2020 Tacoma Key fob issues

Hi I’m new to this group but I have a 2020 Tacoma off road and recently have a problem using my key fob. My truck won’t recognize it. I can’t unlock my truck and I have to hold the key to the push button to start. I tried the spare key and tried replacing the battery. I also measured the battery with a multimeter and read 3V so I know it’s not a battery issue.

Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas on what it could be?

I also read that people have problems after replacing lights. My truck is completely stock and has all the original parts so that’s not it either.

Thank you in advance.

 

Maybe re-code it at the dealer?

 

Fob's aren't cheap you're still under warranty I think a trip to the dealership is your best bet.

 

I third the motion to take it to the dealer.

 

I am planning on taking it to the dealer in two days. I guess I was curious if anyone else has this issue and I will keep all informed on what the problem is when I find out.

 

Did you happen to install LED lights over the backseats? I had similar issues where an LED board was installed and caused interference and caused them to replace the fob module twice. The module is in the roof close to the rear seat light. If you did, then replace with the original halogen to test. I found a different LED and no issues since but the original led I installed did damage the fob module according to the dealer.

 

If both of your fobs are having the same issue, I would definitely take it to the dealer and have them look at it under warranty. Do any of the buttons work on the fob like the panic button?

I don't think it would be the key battery saving system because it deactivates with a simple push of the unlock button on the fob.

The only other thing I could think of is that it is possible to deactivate the smart key system through the stereo under vehicle customization.

 

The panick button is the only one I have not tried. I’m a little afraid it will work and I won’t be able to turn it off

But I do know none of the other buttons work.

 

Update

I went to take my truck to the dealer and of course my key fobs started to work. I took the truck to the dealer anyway and they were not able to find anything and the headquarters said they have never heard of this happening either.

However, I had a intermittent problem with my truck not shutting off after using the remote start when unlocking my car. My truck would then shut off when put into gear and wouldn’t let me restart again for 10 min or so. They said they have heard of this happening and will replace the transmitter so hopefully this will prevent issues with the key fob in the future too.

 

I've had this happen to me as well, 2020 OR. Only happened when using the door handle to unlock when the truck was remote started and still running. Truck wouldn't start for a few minutes afterwards, as if the immobilizer had turned on. I've never had it happen when using the fob to unlock the doors. I mentioned it to the dealership, but they weren't able to replicate the problem of course, and hadn't heard of this issue before. I found a thread somewhere on here where someone said a Toyota tech identified a weak signal from the door handle sensors as the issue IIRC. Please post an update if the transmitter helped!

 

I was having an intermittent issue with my Smart Key system and key fobs not working, including not being able to lock the doors by touching the door handle. Only way to lock the truck was with the key. Would also get flashing display on cluster.
Turns out it was user error! I have battery powered hand warmer/power banks that I charge in the truck thru the cigarette plug USB adapter. Apparently, the power bank was back feeding voltage into the truck. This seems to have made the computer think the power was on, so the truck presumably thought the key was inside. After unplugging one of the banks, the system immediately worked normally.

 

I have not had the problem since getting the transmitter replaced. If you’re still under warranty I recommend just getting it replaced. It can’t hurt.

 

I had a similar issue with my FOB. Took the coin sized battery out and roughed the metal contacts where the coin battery sits with steel wool. FOB works fine now.

 

Bumping this only in case someone has the issue and is searching for answers. 2017 TRD Sport- I swapped out my truck battery (with an optima yellow top) and soon after experienced the 'key not detected' condition and nothing on the fob would work. I did everything I found online, including all of the suggestions here. They were all very viable, but nothing helped. If I did nothing other than hold the fob up to the push to start button, the dash would light up indicating that the fob was now recognized. I could then start the truck as I normally would. After much hair pulling and getting no good answers online, I disconnected both terminals from the battery for about 20 minutes, then reconnected. This fixed my issue. I hope this might help someone who needs it.