Intermittent Key Fob Problems (1 Viewer)

[Rednexus]

Has anyone else ran into (and solved) intermittent key fob issues with their GX? Both of mine work maybe 70% of the time. Usually they'll work great, but often the lock button won't lock the doors (the light on the key fob blinks red, but nothing happens). Sometimes the unlock button will work even though the lock won't, sometime neither work. Then, the next time I use it, everything works fine. I took one of the keys apart and cleaned the contacts and then replaced the battery, but the problem persists. The problem is also not affected by distance from the GX - when it is working I can lock/unlock from 50+ ft away, then it won't work when I'm 2 ft from the door.

I've read that this problem can sometimes be caused by a failing door lock actuator, a problem with the actual chip key itself, or the wireless receiver on the vehicle. I'm curious if anyone else has been able to solve a similar problem on their GX before I start buying parts, especially due to the price of the transmitter/receiver electronics.

 

[aztoytec]

I had a similar issue with my sons 02 IS300 and had a new key programmed.

 

[drowzyGX]

I’ve had similar issues @Rednexus, but they’ve been less frequent. Fob will work perfectly, but then it won’t lock. I’ll mash the button a bunch and nothing. Then I’ll walk back to the car, and it works. I don’t think it’s a distance issue either because, once it works, the car responds to the fob from normal distances.

For me, it seems to come in waves. I’ll get a day or 2 where it feels “laggy” then it’s smooth sailing for a while.

Only thing I’ve tried is changing batteries, but it didn’t seem to make an impact.

 

[Charles63]

I'm not sure if this is your issue, but I bought 2 key fobs from 1010keys on ebay for$50. They cut them from a photo of my old key and mailed them quickly. I had to program them myself with a series of key insertions and door opening and closing for the key itself and the fob. ( key fit and car would turnover , but no start). Both mine work flawlessly , so far. Maybe reprogram your fob? The instructions are on youtube. I've got them downloaded too. I kept looking around to see if someone was secretly filming me, but it worked . Trying to find instructions now, but failing. I'll post them in a bit

 

[Charles63]

4runner key fob program - Google Search

 

[Rednexus]

I'm not sure if this is your issue, but I bought 2 key fobs from 1010keys on ebay for$50. They cut them from a photo of my old key and mailed them quickly. I had to program them myself with a series of key insertions and door opening and closing for the key itself and the fob. ( key fit and car would turnover , but no start). Both mine work flawlessly , so far. Maybe reprogram your fob? The instructions are on youtube. I've got them downloaded too. I kept looking around to see if someone was secretly filming me, but it worked . Trying to find instructions now, but failing. I'll post them in a bit

I did see some of those aftermarket, reviews were a bit spotty (either worked great or not at all). Not opposed to trying it, however. New Lexus keys are around $130, frankly I'd probably just get one key and not care if the spare works intermittently.

 

[Charles63]

I did see some of those aftermarket, reviews were a bit spotty (either worked great or not at all). Not opposed to trying it, however. New Lexus keys are around $130, frankly I'd probably just get one key and not care if the spare works intermittently.

Not my car, but you could try reprogramming your current fob? Would be free. This is my first Toyota, mother in law has always had one though. The keyless entry has always frustrated me. If you unlock and don’t get there soon enough it relocks, still not used to it

 

[Rednexus]

Not my car, but you could try reprogramming your current fob? Would be free. This is my first Toyota, mother in law has always had one though. The keyless entry has always frustrated me. If you unlock and don’t get there soon enough it relocks, still not used to it

Yes, I'll definitely give that a shot as well. My fob has also been through the washing machine at least a couple of times with me as the owner and who knows that happened to it while the GX was under the PO's care

 

[Charles63]

Yes, I'll definitely give that a shot as well. My fob has also been through the washing machine at least a couple of times with me as the owner and who knows that happened to it while the GX was under the PO's care

Adds character, as my dad used to say. I really have no reason to think my idea will do anything different, but it hopefully it won’t hurt

 

[plan8oftheJapes]

I replaced my rear running/brake lights with LEDs I noticed that if I had my lights on AUTO and they were still on when I tried to lock the door they wouldn't lock. Once the lights turned off I could lock easily. Not sure if this is the same issue, but something that has happened to me recently. I just started to turn my lights off when I parked like a pleb.

 

[Rednexus]

I've replaced everything with LEDs, so that could certainly be it, and I'll give that a shot too. I usually leave lights either on auto or always-on when turning off the ignition, so the whole GX is lit up like a Christmas tree when I go to lock the doors (and it's usually the lock feature that has a problem first).

 

[Rednexus]

Just did a trial with the lights on, off, and auto (still light so the headlights were off). In each case with the lights on the keyfob would lock the GX maybe 20% of the time. With the lights off (switch off or auto with lights not activated), it locked it every time. Unlock also worked perfectly with the lights off.

I'll do some more trial-and-error and see if this persists, but it certainly seems encouraging and will hopefully save purchase of new key(s). I might also try unplugging specific lights to try to identify if just one set is causing it (my headlights have high-speed fans on them). Being that the transmitter in these pre-dates widespread LED bulb usage, it certainly makes sense that interference from the dozen-plus Chinese LED bulbs on my GX may cause issues with the keyfob.

 

[plan8oftheJapes]

If it’s any help. I only had leds on the bottom when I noticed this problem.

 

[Charles63]

I've replaced everything with LEDs, so that could certainly be it, and I'll give that a shot too. I usually leave lights either on auto or always-on when turning off the ignition, so the whole GX is lit up like a Christmas tree when I go to lock the doors (and it's usually the lock feature that has a problem

Just did a trial with the lights on, off, and auto (still light so the headlights were off). In each case with the lights on the keyfob would lock the GX maybe 20% of the time. With the lights off (switch off or auto with lights not activated), it locked it every time. Unlock also worked perfectly with the lights off.

I'll do some more trial-and-error and see if this persists, but it certainly seems encouraging and will hopefully save purchase of new key(s). I might also try unplugging specific lights to try to identify if just one set is causing it (my headlights have high-speed fans on them). Being that the transmitter in these pre-dates widespread LED bulb usage, it certainly makes sense that interference from the dozen-plus Chinese LED bulbs on my GX may cause issues with the keyfob.

I would have never guessed that the leds were the problem, I hope that fixes it. I had led blinkers in mine that I replaced because they were about 4 times faster. I do have led headlights though. My key fob works fine, I've got no door lights with any door open and I don't think the running board lights come on with door open. The running board lights flash when I unlock with the fob. My dome lights work with all door switches. I leave my headlights in the on or auto also. I'll see if off makes a difference

 

[Rednexus]

It definitely seemed to get worse when I replaced all of the turn signals, reverse lights, tail lights, marker lights, etc with LEDs a few weeks ago. I've had the LED headlights for a long time. The LEDs are super bright and provide more visibility/safety, so if they get confirmed to be the problem I'll keep them and just deal with turn lights off.

 

[Charles63]

It definitely seemed to get worse when I replaced all of the turn signals, reverse lights, tail lights, marker lights, etc with LEDs a few weeks ago. I've had the LED headlights for a long time. The LEDs are super bright and provide more visibility/safety, so if they get confirmed to be the problem I'll keep them and just deal with turn lights off.

 

[Charles63]

I agree , can’t go back to the dim headlights

 

[plan8oftheJapes]

I never had the problem with my headlights. It only started to be a problem when I put rear park/brake light leds in.

I ran the led headlights and front turns for over a year with no issues

 

[Charles63]

I’ll have to check my tail lights. The whole assemblies look super new and shiny compared to my headlights

 

[Krazykevin]

I have heard of LED causing this issue and it is why i am hesitant on replacing all of the lights with LED.