2000 Subaru Outback Fob foibles

[robsmithld]

I recently bought a used Subaru Outback and couldn't be happier. That
was until both keyless entry FOBs seemed to be on their way out. I'm
looking for any help diagnosing this trouble.

Both of the remotes are showing the same problem of flickering their
LED instead of brightly lighting when a button is pressed. Either
button, anytime. Sometimes they work on the first try, other times it
takes up to a hundred presses for the doors to lock or unlock.

I've replaced both remotes batteries with new ones. I didn't
necessarily clean the contacts, but I did spin the batteries which
usually removes corrosion, before closing the remotes up again. One of
the remotes had been displaying this problem for a while. I thought it
may have been used more by the previous owners, but now that both of
them are doing the same thing I'm starting to wonder what the bigger
issue here is.

Thanks for reading and I thank anyone for their help in advance.

Truly,

Rob Smith

 

[JohnO]

Both of the remotes are showing the same problem of flickering their
LED instead of brightly lighting when a button is pressed. Either
button, anytime. Sometimes they work on the first try, other times it
takes up to a hundred presses for the doors to lock or unlock.

I had a similar problem with my '99...maybe it's the same. The battery
holder bracket broke its solder connection to the circuit board.
Electrically I couldn't see how this mattered, but when I resoldered
it, the remote worked perfectly...until one of the kids used it to open
the car, and they aren't so subtle with the pressure...lots of
re-solders. I eventually shoved a couple slices of tape in the remote,
on top of the battery holder, to take up the space.

If you aren't good with a soldering iron, fine someone who is...it's an
easy job once you've seen it done.

BTW...six solid transmissions from the remote will reset the receiver,
and then it works.

-John O

 

[robsmithld]

Thanks John.

I had thought about the idea of a dry solder joint or something. It
just seemed weird to have happened in both. But then again I went
prying in to both of them to replace the battery so who knows. I'll
certainly open up and give it a look.

Thanks for the advice. Does it seem like resettting the receiver would
be helpful in this situation? Again, something I hadn't considered.

Have a good one.

Rob

 

[y_p_w]

Thanks John.

I had thought about the idea of a dry solder joint or something. It
just seemed weird to have happened in both. But then again I went
prying in to both of them to replace the battery so who knows. I'll
certainly open up and give it a look.

Thanks for the advice. Does it seem like resettting the receiver would
be helpful in this situation? Again, something I hadn't considered.

Have a good one.

Perhaps new remotes? They're a bit pricey, but some internet
retailers have them for about $60-70 for a pair. Programming
instructions should be in your owner's manual.

 

[JohnO]

Thanks John.

I had thought about the idea of a dry solder joint or something. It
just seemed weird to have happened in both. But then again I went
prying in to both of them to replace the battery so who knows. I'll
certainly open up and give it a look.

I looked at mine very carefully, and the problem is based on something
in the mechanical design. There's no reason that holder should come
loose, IMO the solder connection isn't very strong, and the tab through
the PCB isn't long enough to be useful. Fortunately the solder pad on
the PCB isn't breaking.

Thanks for the advice. Does it seem like resettting the receiver would
be helpful in this situation? Again, something I hadn't considered.

I read this somewhere...that six consecutive unlocks from the fob does
the reset. It matches my experience that when the thing breaks, it
takes exactly six clicks to unlock the door.

-John O

 

[robsmithld]

Still dumbfounded. Everything looks good inside.

This morning when I unlocked the car with the remote it unlocked all
the doors by receiving 2 consecutive unlock presses. Then took a lot
(it was too cold to count) of presses to get the vehicle to lock. It
was probably 3 minutes between locking and unlocking (had to steal the
wife's ice scraper).

Very peculiar. I may just bite the bullet and order new remotes. Sucks
to spend that money though if it turns out ot be something else.

Thanks again.

Rob