Remote access failure on 2002 SR5 AC

New guy here, long time second owner of 2002 SR5 Tundra AC, 122K on the clock, west coast rig all its life. Great truck, highly reliable, we take it anywhere. Recently my lone original remote access key fob stopped working. This led to the events listed below. I've read many threads on related topics in this forum and elsewhere but have not found one that covers this exact situation.

- Initially we assumed the battery in the fob was dead. Our truck was factory built with the RS3000 alarm system, it has an LED indicator just to the right of the dimmer knob on a small panel to the left of the steering column. For years we’ve observed this light flashing intermittently when the truck is sitting in our driveway. Never gave it much thought.

- Got a new battery for the fob, remote access lock/unlock function resumed working for several days, then quit. We assumed the new battery was bad.

- We had always intended to get new fobs and since the original was looking worn, ordered 2 new aftermarket fobs with correct BAB237131-022 number to match the original fob.

- Received new fobs, removed kick panel under steering column, located RS3000 ECU to the right of steering column more or less above gas pedal.

- With key ON, depressed green button on ECU for 3 seconds then pressed top button on new fobs. Each time heard a double click from the area of the ECU. Tested fobs for remote access function (lock/unlock), neither worked.

- As a test, installed fresh battery in the original fob, now the remote access function did not work with it either.

- At this point, none of the 3 fobs would lock/unlock the truck. The alarm system appeared to be non-functional, the red LED did not come on at any time. Suspecting the RS3000 ECU module, we looked for some way to get a response.

- Reading a manual for the RS3000 VIP system from a 2001 Tacoma we found the section on Programming and Adjustments. Wondering if the Tundra could somehow be in Valet mode (remote access should still have worked) we decided to experiment. Using the original fob with key ON, we held both fob buttons down for 2 seconds and released. As advertised, the red LED came on, we pressed the top button on the fob and the system went into Passive (Automatic) Arming ON mode. Turning the key to Lock, the system chirped 3 times and the exterior lights flashed 3 times. Closing the door resulted in the red LED flashing intermittently. Opening the door for more than 15 seconds caused the horn to honk and the exterior lights to flash.

- This would seem to indicate the original fob is still linked to the RS3000 ECU, however it will not lock/unlock the doors.

- We repeated the procedure for Operational Mode programming and set the system to Passive (Automatic) Arming mode OFF. Worked perfectly but the fob is still unable to lock/unlock the doors.

- Tried the procedure for Operational Mode programming with the 2 new fobs. Works with one but not the other. The one that works is unable to lock/unlock the doors just like the original.

- Now we have 3 fobs, 2 of which seem to be paired with the RS3000 ECU but none of which will lock/unlock the doors.

- We’re considering erasing all remote control codes from the system and starting over but it would be a shot in the dark as we have no reason to believe this would make any difference.

- The RS3000 ECU module appears to be working but for some reason the lock/unlock signal is not activating the locks. The locks work normally with the toggle switches on the arm rests as well as with the key from either door so we know its not a problem with the lock motors.

We've checked all the fuses and read all the information we can find, has anyone experienced this particular problem? Help would be greatly appreciated.

 

This would be my next step. I have RS3200 so I can't speak to your exact point, and I haven't seen a similar issue (my memory only goes back a few years) but I'd wipe all fobs to take them out of memory, confirm they're not paired, then re-pair one at a time.

 

And if that fails, then consider that the system might just be failing overall. It’s old and these tend to have a lifespan of about this many years for a lot of the people who come to this forum for advice. It’s not a factory installed option, but a port or dealer installed system. Could be time to replace.

 

Thanks Shifty and Knabores. Tried clearing the RS3000 ECU of all fobs, turns out that function is not working. So we're back to suspecting it as the problem. I'm going to pull it out of the truck, open it up and inspect the printed circuit assembly. Meanwhile we found another one online so have that coming as well. I guess we could remove the ECU from the truck entirely and plug the harness into the base of the lock cylinder assembly. Everything should work but we wouldn't have remote access which my wife wants and so do I.