FatNoah

I just purchased a 2005 RL that only came with the Driver 2 fob. The doors and trunk properly unlock when I get close and open them by hand, but the buttons on the fob appear to be nonfunctional. For example, clicking the lock button does nothing except make the tiny light on the fob turn on briefly. When I get in the car, the fob is recognized as the Driver 2 fob.

Any ideas?

getakey

Are you sure they are not working? I might be wrong, but I believe there are set-up options for whether the car makes a sound when locked/unlocked. Doors could be locking/unlocking but you are not aware. What about Trunk unlock button?

getakey

one more question - when you unlock by hand on the handle, does the car beep?

lland

Batteries? If they are the originals from an '05, it's time. They could have enough to power the small LED (LEDs use very little power). I think the fob contains an RFID chip that doesn't need power to be recognized by the car so everything else would work as expected. It's the car that needs power to "ping" the chip.

LL

getakey

I was thinking that as well, but he should get a FOB Low Battery warning in the MIDI.

gbriank

Wonder if the previous owner got the FOB wet... Another RL owner I spoke to put this through a full cycle in a top loader (by accident of course)! It kept working for several months, before the electronics inside corroded.

Have you pulled the FOB open? Anyone know if it wasn't accidental damage, is it covered under warranty?

getakey

interesting - that might explain it
OP should get a replacement FOB1 anyway.

gbriank

Heck yeah! If the second one goes out or is lost, I know that will be SUPREMELY expensive!

FatNoah

Thanks to everyone who posted! My 16 month old son apparently fixed the problem for me. After getting home last night, I got out of the car, grabbed my son, locked the car with the dimple on the passenger side, and got the mail. My son was playing with the FOB and I noticed the interior light turn on. A couple test locks/unlocks seemed to indicate that things were working.

To answer the questions that were asked:
1) I did replace the batteries since I got the low battery light when I first drove the car.
2) I do get the 2 beeps when using the door handle.
3) I knew the car wasn't unlocking because I couldn't unlock the car then have someone else open the door.

In any case, thanks for the quick replies! I love this car and this forum!

FatNoah

Oh and I definitely plan on getting a Driver 1 fob! Not having a backup makes me very paranoid. I check my pocket several times an hour!