Dead Battery? Key Fob and Valet not working

[hankstruck]

Stuck in Myrtle beach at 9pm in a parking with wife and 3 young kids (one infant). The craziest thing happened. Got back to car and neither fob worked. Neither valet got us into the car. I called my insurance companies roadside to get into the car and then jump me off. I’m hoping that takes care of it. Any idea why neither valet worked in the lock?

 

[cgs2k2]

That is bizarre. Not sure if this helps in anyway, but I do believe when the keyfob battery dies, if you hold it up right to the "start/stop" button, that will allow you to start the car. Of course you will need to be able to get IN to the car with the metal key to do that.

 

[hankstruck]

The roadside service did come (by the way, often your insurance has roadside included like gas, locks, tires etc). He did the balloon shim thing and opened the door. That was followed but lots of alarms. I was able to push start the car but the horns proceeded. After a few starts and stops- a combination of pushing all the bottoms on all the fobs and him putting the valet in the door it stopped. I don’t know if any of that did anything though since it seemed like the fob wasn’t recognized- despite not saying that and that the car did start.

I had the check BSM, ABS, caution, and traction lights on the entire ride home. When I got home, the key fob worked and the car seems back to normal. The valet keys still don’t open the door. My wife says something similar happened before but didn’t sustain quite as much- the fob eventually started working.

Something is up for sure electronically or with the security system just can’t find anything about it.

 

[cgs2k2]

The roadside service did come (by the way, often your insurance has roadside included like gas, locks, tires etc). He did the balloon shim thing and opened the door. That was followed but lots of alarms. I was able to push start the car but the horns proceeded. After a few starts and stops- a combination of pushing all the bottoms on all the fobs and him putting the valet in the door it stopped. I don’t know if any of that did anything though since it seemed like the fob wasn’t recognized- despite not saying that and that the car did start.

I had the check BSM, ABS, caution, and traction lights on the entire ride home. When I got home, the key fob worked and the car seems back to normal. The valet keys still don’t open the door. My wife says something similar happened before but didn’t sustain quite as much- the fob eventually started working.

Something is up for sure electronically or with the security system just can’t find anything about it.

Hmmm... I'm sorry, that sounds very frustrating. Glad you made it home, at least. This does sound like something with the security system - perhaps a trip to the dealer is your best bet. Hopefully somebody here can chime in with more experience.

 

[re_guderian]

Still some missing details here. The roadside assistance guys "jumped" you, implies the 12V battery under the hood is dead. When that's dead, it doesn't matter what state your key fob batteries are in, the car will not unlock or start using fob buttons. You WILL be able to get in using the main physical key, either on your master or valet. Not sure what you're referring to as the "valet" key. Can you show a picture? If the metal key (on either type of fob/key) won't open the door, it's just not keyed to match your lock cylinders. Someone has ordered a key and not had it cut correctly, or bought a used key and programmed the electronics, but didn't bother to get a new metal key (they are kind of pricey if you don't sweet talk your dealer), or the doors or handle lock cylinders were replaced in a rebuild, and don't match. So you're saying that you stuck a physical key in the cylinder, but that it wouldn't turn to unlock the door (valet)?

If the FOB battery is dead, but the 12v under the hood is good, your fob won't open the door, but the metal key should, and you wouldn't need a "jump". When the fob key is dead, push the start button WITH the fob itself. This close contact is enough for the fob to be recognized, even with a dead battery. However, a weak battery, either on it's way out, or back to life after a jump, can cause some really weird and un-replicateable issues.

So you got several confusing issues going on, not sure what to tell you without more info or pictures. Unless a recent solar flare fried (just) your electronics, haha

 

[r2m]

Also, a heads up, DO NOT LOSE your KEY FOB!!!
I'll try to keep this brief since I've recited this story elsewhere on this forum.
Late at night with my wife, went to unlock my car and no-go. Reached for my key fob and it was gone!
Called Lexus and they said they can tow it to a local dealer and next morning get a new fob.
Eventually had to call my daughter at home, get the spare fob and come to us.

Lesson learned. Problem with keyless entries is that you can't just hid a fob anywhere on your rig, or anyone who touches the door handle can unlock it.

Note my solution:
Had a spare physical key made (steel key only). I have it hiding in a very secure location somewhere outside my rig.
Inside, I've hidden a spare fob with a battery, but the battery is removed, it is a small pouch with the fob. One can also be store the fob in a small Faraday pouch they sell on Amazon Amazon product ASIN B07GDD35GHThat will also block the radio signals.
So now, if ever I should lose my fob again, I can get INTO my rig, and once in I can START IT!
Good to go.

 

[URJ150L]

Also, a heads up, DO NOT LOSE your KEY FOB!!!
I'll try to keep this brief since I've recited this story elsewhere on this forum.
Late at night with my wife, went to unlock my car and no-go. Reached for my key fob and it was gone!
Called Lexus and they said they can tow it to a local dealer and next morning get a new fob.
Eventually had to call my daughter at home, get the spare fob and come to us.

Lesson learned. Problem with keyless entries is that you can't just hid a fob anywhere on your rig, or anyone who touches the door handle can unlock it.

Note my solution:
Had a spare physical key made (steel key only). I have it hiding in a very secure location somewhere outside my rig.
Inside, I've hidden a spare fob with a battery, but the battery is removed, it is a small pouch with the fob. One can also be store the fob in a small Faraday pouch they sell on Amazon Amazon product ASIN B07GDD35GHThat will also block the radio signals.
So now, if ever I should lose my fob again, I can get INTO my rig, and once in I can START IT!
Good to go.

Thought there was a way to turn the fob off by holding down a combo of the buttons

 

[cgs2k2]

Also, a heads up, DO NOT LOSE your KEY FOB!!!
I'll try to keep this brief since I've recited this story elsewhere on this forum.
Late at night with my wife, went to unlock my car and no-go. Reached for my key fob and it was gone!
Called Lexus and they said they can tow it to a local dealer and next morning get a new fob.
Eventually had to call my daughter at home, get the spare fob and come to us.

Lesson learned. Problem with keyless entries is that you can't just hid a fob anywhere on your rig, or anyone who touches the door handle can unlock it.

Note my solution:
Had a spare physical key made (steel key only). I have it hiding in a very secure location somewhere outside my rig.
Inside, I've hidden a spare fob with a battery, but the battery is removed, it is a small pouch with the fob. One can also be store the fob in a small Faraday pouch they sell on Amazon Amazon product ASIN B07GDD35GHThat will also block the radio signals.
So now, if ever I should lose my fob again, I can get INTO my rig, and once in I can START IT!
Good to go.

smart! very good idea

 

[r2m]

Thought there was a way to turn the fob off by holding down a combo of the buttons

I've never read or head of such an option. Maybe Acrad might have??