Key Fob Problem

[Michael Roback]

I have a 2006 Forester. Recently I noticed that I was having a problem
with the alarm key fob. The battery seemed like it was dying and would
open but often not lock the car. I took out the battery and checked it
and tester said it was okay. Changed the battery with a new one and it
unlocks slightly better but still will not lock car. Used spare fob that
came with the car and no problem. Do these fobs just spontaneously
break. I did not drop it or damage it recently that I know of. Any
suggestions? What do these fobs cost new and do they need to be
programmed, and ... do I need a new one???

 

[johninky]

My guess is there is nothing wrong with the fob. Problem more likely
is the linkage inside the driver's door needs adjusted/cleaned.

 

[nobody >]

My guess is there is nothing wrong with the fob. Problem more likely
is the linkage inside the driver's door needs adjusted/cleaned.

"johninky"
Reread the original post..

Mike:
2006 Forester
">>Used spare fob that came with the car and no problem.<<

"Do these fobs just spontaneously break. I did not drop it or damage it
recently that I know of. Any suggestions? What do these fobs cost new
and do they need to be programmed, and ... do I need a new one???"

It's possible that the bad fob and/or the security system "forgot" the
programming. I had that happen on my 2000 OB. There's a procedure in the
owner's manual on "reprogramming" the system to read a remote, try that.

But... fobs/remotes/clickers/(whatever you want to call'um) do die.
Smart Service (Seattle indie Soob shop) charged $65 for a new remote for
my wife's '97 OBS, including programming.

 

[synthius2002]

$65 for a new remote for my wife's '97 OBS, including programming.

Ouch! I've had some remote problems, and I read the manual in the
glove box, and I seem to recall that it tells you how to program the
remote yourself.

Nils

 

[David]

Ouch! I've had some remote problems, and I read the manual in the
glove box, and I seem to recall that it tells you how to program the
remote yourself.

Nils

If one of your remotes works well and the other not, the problem is
clearly not with the car, but with the troublesome remote.
There are almost always one of two problems with these remotes. The
first is the most common. Weak battery. At $2 to $3 it is well worth
the risk to buy a new battery. You wrote that you had checked the
battery, so I'm assuming you know how to open the remote and replace the
battery. BTW some service centers use two batteries stacked to double
the power.
The second problem is cracked/broken connections within the printed
circuit board. It's not that difficult to deform the pcbs in these
little hand-held devices and after awhile, a connection may become
intermittent. Try giving the pcb a close look with some kind of
magnifying lens. Look especially closely around the battery and button
connections. If you find something that looks a bit dodgy, resoldier
the connection or take it to a car audio/security shop or your local
independent Subie specialist.

Good luck,
David

 

[1 Lucky Texan]

If one of your remotes works well and the other not, the problem is
clearly not with the car, but with the troublesome remote.
There are almost always one of two problems with these remotes.  The
first is the most common.  Weak battery.  At $2 to $3 it is well worth
the risk to buy a new battery.  You wrote that you had checked the
battery, so I'm assuming you know how to open the remote and replace the
battery. BTW some service centers use two batteries stacked to double
the power.
The second problem is cracked/broken connections within the printed
circuit board.  It's not that difficult to deform the pcbs in these
little hand-held devices and after awhile, a connection may become
intermittent.  Try giving the pcb a close look with some kind of
magnifying lens.  Look especially closely around the battery and button
connections.  If you find something that looks a bit dodgy, resoldier
the connection or take it to a car audio/security shop or your local
independent Subie specialist.

Good luck,
David

Good post. He 'could' swap the batteries between the 2 remotes and see
if the problem follows the suspect battery.