Smart Key/Fob Intermittently Not Unlocking/Locking

[T4Runner]

Over the past month I’ve been experiencing intermittent issues getting into and/or securing my LC (it’s happened like 4-5 times so far). I’ve had to resort to using the actual key to get into the vehicle...

Sometimes it will beep/flash many times and whatever door I’m unlocking will unlock, but all others won’t (the unlocking door varies — including tailgate). Sometimes I get no beep or lights and door(s) won’t lock or unlock. I have not had any problems starting the rig...

I replaced the fob battery to no avail...

A search on here only came up with an apparently location specific locking/unlocking issue potentially due to radio interference...

Anyone have similar experience or any thoughts?

 

[Pnw425]

I purchased my '08 LC over the winter and when I went to leave the dealership (not Toyota) the car wouldn't start. Through some stressful trial and error I was able to determine that the second fob they gave me was somehow interfering with the whole system. I spoke with someone at Toyota who recommended I throw away the bad fob and get the vehicle and the good fob (plus a new one provided by the dealer) reprogrammed. Everything has worked fine since then.

Perhaps the ‘ole turn it off and turn it back on trick will work. The dealer used a mobile key service to do this reprogramming.

 

[Oakleyguy]

I sometimes experience interference if my keys and phone are in the same pocket. Same goes for my wallet, but it's made from metal.

 

[OregonLC]

^ This. Fob wants it's own pocket.

 

[T4Runner]

Thanks for the replies. The intermittent nature of my woes may very well correspond to my pocket usage. I’ll pay more attention to where my iPhone and fob are...

 

[JeffH]

I get intermittent issues with my 2010 LX, haven't figured anything out as far as what could be interfering, but it always works next time I try it. Fresh batteries didn't help either.

 

[Crab Sack]

You probably have a door lock actuator that is intermittently not locking one of your doors.
I found that the beep was not present when pressing the lock feature on the fob on mine.
Keep the fob away from the vehicle and find out which door isn't locking.
Then replace the door lock actuator or replace the motor inside the door lock actuator that is failing. Mine ended up being the LR door lock actuator.

 

[Phrog]

Yes, what Crab Sack says. I had an intermittent LR door lock actuator. When it wouldn't respond to the key fob, the car exterior lights wouldn't flash. Easy to find out if this is the problem: test each door individually - see if it locks/unlocks with the key fob. In my case, replacing the actuator solved the problem. There are threads on how to do this.

-Phrog

 

[JeffH]

Yes, what Crab Sack says. I had an intermittent LR door lock actuator. When it wouldn't respond to the key fob, the car exterior lights wouldn't flash. Easy to find out if this is the problem: test each door individually - see if it locks/unlocks with the key fob. In my case, replacing the actuator solved the problem. There are threads on how to do this.

-Phrog

How do you test each door using the key fob?

 

[Island1064]

I have had that issue but it was because it was parked right by the front door of a Jewelry store and the alarm system messed the Keyfob transmission.

 

[Phrog]

How do you test each door using the key fob?

Stand just outside each door, press lock and unlock on the key fob, listen for the telltale 'click.'

-Phrog

 

[kevinfoutch]

@T4Runner did you get to the bottom of this?

I had a similar experiences in the past, and I had a random thought that might apply here. Is your key fob in the same pocket as an RFID-blocking wallet? I am trying to isolate interference from my phone or RFID wallet and am having more success by keeping the fob isolated. Too soon for me to prove anything definitively, but wondered if you had any luck yet?

 

[T4Runner]

I should have up dated this. It appears to have been a combination of things:

1. Sometimes in a cargo pocket and the fob would work its way back (essentially behind my leg),

2. Sometimes in a pocket with iPhone (not sure if radio interference or phone just getting in front of fob), and

3. Driver’s door actuator intermittently failing.

If I had an RIFD blocking wallet I’m sure it would have been another of my causes...

 

[studawg]

You probably have a door lock actuator that is intermittently not locking one of your doors.
I found that the beep was not present when pressing the lock feature on the fob on mine.
Keep the fob away from the vehicle and find out which door isn't locking.
Then replace the door lock actuator or replace the motor inside the door lock actuator that is failing. Mine ended up being the LR door lock actuator.

I just purchased a '13 and noticed the car isn't beeping when I lock it. Maybe this is the problem!

 

[T4Runner]

You can adjust the beep volume so the previous owner may have turned it off...

 

[studawg]

Yeah, I checked that, its turned up