New truck, key fob issues....

So just bought a new TRD Sport on Friday. I've been having some troubles with the key fob though and didn't know if it's normal, or mine is acting up.

Keys will be in my pocket and I can't push the "lock" area on the door handle. I have to take the keys out of my pocket, keep trying then eventually it will lock it. Also when I get in the truck to start it, the push button says the key is not in the truck. Then after a few sec's, it will let me start it. Today it wouldn't lock so I took the keys out, push the lock button and still wouldn't lock. wth..

Not sure if this thing is jacked up or maybe it's just a bad battery. Going to switch it out and try my 2nd key fob and see if I get the same issues.

 

Hate to say it, but I think it's time for a trip back to the dealer

 

Yeah, figured. I think that one is just jacked up and I need a new one.

 

You should get 2 fobs when you buy a new truck. Have you tried the other one?

 

Not yet, but that's what I mentioned above. Going to try the 2nd one. The 1st one i've been using seems to be getting worse by the day, so I'm thinking it may have just got shipped with a bad battery. Feels like it's getting weaker. My '20 Tacoma has been solid from day one, so this is a little frustrating already, ha.

 

Hopefully it’s just the battery, easy fix.

 

For me I have to hold my fingers on the front of the door handle for a couple seconds. If I rush it, it won't work. Also, in the past I've had key fobs not work properly in busy parking lots...but these might not be related to your issue.

 

That sounds like a bad battery to me as well. If a battery swap doesn't fix it, definitely take it back to the dealer.

 

So I switched out the keyfob to use my 2nd one and it's basically doing the same thing. What is up.... It unlocks fine when you grab the handle, but it doesn't lock for beans. Even when starting it says the key is not recognized. They are in my pocket, are my jeans made of material that blocks the signal, haha. Getting a little frustrated.

 

Did you put any led bulbs in? When I installed led cargo lights, my fob was acting up as well.

 

I've changed out every interior light blub with an LED. Not sure how that would make the key fob not work, but hell if I know anything, ha. So did you change them back and it work? Humm...
I changed all the bulbs in my '20 Tacoma and it works like a champ.

 

The batteries will drain in both FOB's at almost the same rate since they are always on for the keyless ignition. What you describe does sound like the CR2032 batteries need to be replaced. Just release the key from the FOB and use the end to pry open the FOB. The battery is on the backside of the board. I keep a spare set of batteries in my truck since they do not last that long.

 

Worth a shot. Maybe they where just a bad batch of batteries when they put them together at Toyota. Truck is only a week old with 700 miles, ha.

 

You know, that does kind of make sense though. When I first unlock the truck, none of the bulbs are on. When you open the door and get in, they are on, which maybe could be causing interference. When getting out and lock it, the lights are on. Going to run some test this evening.

 

Yea I changed them back and everything works fine. Cars are so complicated nowadays that everything ties into each other. The led bulbs probably have a different resistant value than the stock bulbs and causing issues in other systems. I would change out the leds first.

 

I'm first going to turn the interior lights off at the switch so they dont come on when you open the door. See if when i do that it will let the truck start right away or not. Then get out and see if it will lock right away. Then turn it all back on and run the same test. If that checks out and switch the bulbs back and and go from there. It's just crazy enough that it could be why, ha. At least I hope it's that simple. Thanks for the heads up, I would have never considered the LEDs.

 

So HOLY SHIT.. you are 100% right. It is the LED bulbs. Took a break and ran out to the truck. Turned the interior lights off and it worked like a champ just as it should. Turned them back on "with the door" and it doesn't work. Wow.... who would have thought. Wonder if it's these specific bulbs or just the led in general.

I remember the bulbs in the back seat light are slightly touching the metal plate, maybe that's shorting something? Going to remove those first and run some trial and error. Can't think you enough for that suggestion. I never would have considering the LED bulbs in a million years. Haha. I'm dumbfounded.

 

Cheap LEDs can be RF noisy. It's a fairly common problem. For example, Ram owners with LED replaced brake light bulbs have reported "key not found" messages while driving.

 

Crazy, I would have never known. Going to see if it's all the ones I have or what. Then go from there and may be buying some better ones. I'm just really happy I figured out the cause. I was starting to get a little sick thinking I was having unknown issues on my brand new truck, ha.

 

Thanks TTU for keeping us posted. I've been really wanting to get some LEDs. Definitely interested in what you end up finding out!!!

 

I never would have thought that the LED's would be that disruptive. Glad to see you guys figured it out.

 

I think if you get nicer ones that are can bus leds they may work? I haven't tried so i can't confirm. Glad it was the leds that was causing your issues.

 

Glad the OP got it squared away.

I turn off the FOB I am not using so the battery does not drain.

Also I usually turn off the FOB I do use every night, to save battery and remove any possibility of signal stealing.

To turn off: Press and hold the lock button while pressing unlock twice, then release all buttons, the red light on the FOB will flash two times pause then flash two more times, this will turn off the signal from the FOB until you hit any button again.

Edited 5-9-2021 for clarity

 

How long do you press and hold?

 

press and hold lock while you press unlock twice, then let go of all buttons.

the red light will flash twice pause and flash twice again.

now your fob is no longer putting out a signal, test it by holding it while grabbing the door handle, it should not unlock.

to turn back on press a button, test it by now pressing lock and then grabbing the door handle should unlock again.

 

My 21 Pro is doing the same. It seemed fine before I put the led bulbs in and now my remote is doing the same as yours. I might have to put my stock bulbs back in. I had no issues with my 2020 4runner pro with the same led bulbs.

 

I'd suggest try some different bulbs. I bought some to have them ready once I got my truck. Forgot I had some already that I bought for my Tacoma a couple years ago. The older ones worked fine and do not interfere with the key-less stuff. The new ones I bought where the bad ones. Changed them out, works perfect.

These are the ones that worked great for me:

$11 Marsauto 194 LED Bulb 6000K White 168 T10 2825 5SMD Replacement Bulbs for Car Dome Map Door Courtesy License Plate Lights (Pack of 10)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079L3WBDN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8

 

Nice!! I always take my spare key on trips and can’t lock the door with the spare key in the truck.

 

What bulb brands are ppl having trouble with? Perhaps we should get a list going for ppl. Thanks TTu19 for the link!

 

These are the bulbs that gave me the trouble:

https://www.superbrightleds.com/mor...-miniature-wedge-retrofit-95-lumens/3305/919/