Malfunction of Electronic Key for 2003 Forester

[W. Watson]

My electronic key for the car has gotten a little odd lately. It seems to
work about 1 out of 50 tries. I can stand close to the pick up antenna in
the rear window and the action works a tiny bit better. I noticed the tiny
red LED stays on quite a bit, but clicking the lock button eventually turns
the LED off. I checked the battery once and it seems to be fully at 3v.
Possibly some dust has gotten into the sensor, or the LED being on a lot has
worn down the battery, which when turned off builds up enough charge again
to work for just one shot. Any ideas how to isolate the problem? I'll get
another battery tomorrow, but somehow I think it's in the pocket key device


Wayne T. Watson (Watson Adventures, Prop., Nevada City, CA)
(121.015 Deg. W, 39.262 Deg. N) GMT-8 hr std. time)
Obz Site: 39° 15' 7" N, 121° 2' 32" W, 2700 feet

 

[y_p_w]

My electronic key for the car has gotten a little odd lately. It seems
to work about 1 out of 50 tries. I can stand close to the pick up
antenna in the rear window and the action works a tiny bit better. I
noticed the tiny red LED stays on quite a bit, but clicking the lock
button eventually turns the LED off. I checked the battery once and it
seems to be fully at 3v. Possibly some dust has gotten into the sensor,
or the LED being on a lot has worn down the battery, which when turned
off builds up enough charge again to work for just one shot. Any ideas
how to isolate the problem? I'll get another battery tomorrow, but
somehow I think it's in the pocket key device

You mean the "remote keyless entry"? That's what Subaru calls
the two button remote control that opens the door locks, but
can't turn on the ignition.

3V is the nominal value, but a fresh Li-Mn battery will be
about 3.3V. You might find a new battery works better. Clean
the inside with a cotton swab if it's dusty.

 

[Bart]

Not sure what the issue is with your keyless entry, but one thing I
notice about mine -- there are parts of town where there seems to be a
lot of interference so that I have to get really, really close to the
car before I can unlock it.

There's one store I go to that I have learned to just leave the car
unlocked -- the keyless entry will NOT unlock the car whan I visit that
store -- I think it's the big radio tower in that neighborhood.

 

[W. Watson]

You mean the "remote keyless entry"? That's what Subaru calls
the two button remote control that opens the door locks, but
can't turn on the ignition.

3V is the nominal value, but a fresh Li-Mn battery will be
about 3.3V. You might find a new battery works better. Clean
the inside with a cotton swab if it's dusty.

Yes, keyless entry. I bought a new batter and it fairs the same. I think the
remote may be failing totally. The dealer tells me a new one will cost $65.
Looks like that's my next trial. I hope it isn't the receiver, or I'll end
up with two transmitters.


Wayne T. Watson (Watson Adventures, Prop., Nevada City, CA)
(121.015 Deg. W, 39.262 Deg. N) GMT-8 hr std. time)
Obz Site: 39° 15' 7" N, 121° 2' 32" W, 2700 feet

 

[y_p_w]

Yes, keyless entry. I bought a new batter and it fairs the same. I think the
remote may be failing totally. The dealer tells me a new one will cost $65.
Looks like that's my next trial. I hope it isn't the receiver, or I'll end
up with two transmitters.

You can try eBay. I once saw several going for $5 starting bid with a
$10 "Buy It Now" price. Might have been from some dealer that went
under and sold its stock. Others are used or from lot sales.

Try www.subaruparts.com. They have two remotes for anywhere from
$45 to $65. Programming instructions are in your owner's manual.

<http://www.subaruparts.com/catalog/?section=142#965>

This is for the 2002 model, so I'm not 100% sure that it'll work.
You might try contacting them to find out.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Yes, keyless entry. I bought a new batter and it fairs the same. I think
the remote may be failing totally. The dealer tells me a new one will
cost $65. Looks like that's my next trial. I hope it isn't the receiver,
or I'll end up with two transmitters.


Wayne T. Watson (Watson Adventures, Prop., Nevada City, CA)
(121.015 Deg. W, 39.262 Deg. N) GMT-8 hr std. time)
Obz Site: 39° 15' 7" N, 121° 2' 32" W, 2700 feet

Holding the remote under your chin will extend the power/range a little.
Ebay MAY have remotes a little cheaper but deal only with someone that
assures you it will be compatible - sometimes there are FCC numbers on
the back/inside that are important.

carl