New car key fob experience?

[lcg377]

The remote key fob for our car (Mazda6) seems to have come "disconnected" somehow.  The battery has been replaced, and we've tried the reprogramming hokey-pokey directions that I've been able to find online, but no dice.

Has anyone else fixed this on their own? Our auto parts store doesn't have a compatible generic version. Any tips before I give in and call the dealership?

[Daley]

Is there a reason why you can't just use your keys to lock and unlock your car?

[dragoncar]

Call the dealership and make them fix it for free.  I've never heard of such a thing, which implies faulty design.

[seattlecyclone]

Does your car have a physical key that you can stick in the ignition? Some cars don't have that anymore. I generally love our Prius, but the key is a big pet peeve of mine. I miss having a key that you could replace for $2 at any hardware store, that can both start and lock the car. My wife lost one of our key fobs a couple of years ago. It's a proprietary piece of technology that is only made by Toyota. I called around to all the dealerships in town to see what a replacement would cost. The lowest quote I got was about $300. Not willing to spend that much on a stupid key, I found a forum post online where they detailed a procedure you can use to reprogram someone else's used key fob to start your Prius (but not lock or unlock the doors). I got one on eBay for "only" about $60 and it worked great. Last I checked there was no known way to reprogram a used key to lock or unlock the car, though. To get around that problem I took the backup mechanical key from our remaining key fob, got the hardware store to make a full-sized copy of it, and use that to open the doors.

[Jack]

Last I checked there was no known way to reprogram a used key to lock or unlock the car, though. To get around that problem I took the backup mechanical key from our remaining key fob, got the hardware store to make a full-sized copy of it, and use that to open the doors.

Be careful with that. Apparently, on some cars with standard keyless entry the mechanical lock cylinders aren't designed or intended for regular use. My VW is like that (in fact, later models just have a plastic cap instead of a lock cylinder!) and I broke the lock by using the key too often. (That's the alleged reason -- told to me by an independent locksmith -- at least.)

[GuitarStv]

Is there a reason why you can't just use your keys to lock and unlock your car?

lol . . . this was my first thought.  I actually take the fobs off of my car keys and keep them in the house because they're too heavy on my key ring.

[Cinder]

Does your car have a physical key that you can stick in the ignition? Some cars don't have that anymore. I generally love our Prius, but the key is a big pet peeve of mine. I miss having a key that you could replace for $2 at any hardware store, that can both start and lock the car. My wife lost one of our key fobs a couple of years ago. It's a proprietary piece of technology that is only made by Toyota. I called around to all the dealerships in town to see what a replacement would cost. The lowest quote I got was about $300. Not willing to spend that much on a stupid key, I found a forum post online where they detailed a procedure you can use to reprogram someone else's used key fob to start your Prius (but not lock or unlock the doors). I got one on eBay for "only" about $60 and it worked great. Last I checked there was no known way to reprogram a used key to lock or unlock the car, though. To get around that problem I took the backup mechanical key from our remaining key fob, got the hardware store to make a full-sized copy of it, and use that to open the doors.

I recently replaced one of my prius keys.  Using the procedure you found somewhere, you can only do that with a master key, and as you said, the 'new' key that you programmed can't unlock the doors.  You also have the problem that if you do lose the master key, you will be unable to (even though a certified toyota dealer) reprogram a new key at all, and you will be forced to replace the computer in the dash (which I think was around a $1500~$2500 cost!).  I decided to spend the $300 now instead of potentially $2k later.

[lcg377]

The car only has one lock cylinder in the driver's door, so anytime I need to enter the car I have to go street-side and unlock it, then walk around and open the trunk, etc.  to load or unload from the curb.  My real concern is that I have 2 greyhounds that come to work with me each day, so I have to walk them both into the road to unlock my car, then walk back and get them into their respective seats.  If it wasn't for the dogs' safety in traffic, I wouldn't mind the manual lock. lol

Our ignition just uses the regular metal key, fortunately! I might search around ebay and see what I can find for used clickers.  Thanks!

[StarryC]

I purchased from Amazon a new key fob for a Ford Focus.  I think I just had to have one key to start the car in order to do it. 

Why?  When I open my car with the key, the alarm goes off if you don't start the car in 5 seconds or something.  Since I'm a slow car starter dealing with purse, bags, whatever, it was annoying. (My roommate had "stolen" my keys, and I made due with the one remaining manual key,  but, I decided I needed a backup set when they were found.)  The cost for one extra key  and fob was under $15.  The cost for a new key from the dealer would have been $95.  A locksmith, probably $50.  I feel like having an extra "full set" around is a good idea.

[N]

I ordered a replacement fob on ebay for my 08 ford focus. I did have to program it, and I still had a second working one, so I dont know if that makes a difference. the one I bought on ebay was about 8$

[cosmie]

The remote key fob for our car (Mazda6) seems to have come "disconnected" somehow.  The battery has been replaced, and we've tried the reprogramming hokey-pokey directions that I've been able to find online, but no dice.

Has anyone else fixed this on their own? Our auto parts store doesn't have a compatible generic version. Any tips before I give in and call the dealership?

For my Mazda3, when the battery died in the fob it reset the thing and had to be reprogrammed. However, following the hokey pokey instructions did the trick. A lot of fobs never come back after a battery replacement though, so you may just need to buy a new one. AFAIK you can get them off eBay for ~$45 (or $100 from a dealership + ~$50 to program...). You don't need a working fob to program it, so I'd go the eBay route. If you have an Advanced Fob, those require dealership programming no matter what.

While on eBay, I also strongly suggest getting a few blank transponder keys for cheap. If you have two working keys, you can self-program additional transponder keys. But if you only have one working key, a dealership has to do it (~$50 for the programming, ~$50 for the key). I bought two transponder keys for my Mazda3 for about $10, got them cut at a local locksmith (chain stores can't get it through their heads that you only need it cut, not programmed), and used the two keys I had to program them. So now I always have two on hand even if I lost one, and don't have to deal with the dealership if I lose a key.

[jwystup]

Aw, you guys had me hopeful for a second. I even went outside & tried. No luck.

I have a 2005 grand prix that I got from a guy that fixes up wrecked cars. I used the button for a few years to lock & unlock the car and didn't realize I never tried the key until the battery died. I replaced the battery once and it worked again. Then when the battery died again I was never able to get the button working again. There is only one keyhole on my car (driver's door) and the key doesn't work in it. I'm assuming the door lock got replaced when the car was fixed. I just don't lock my car anymore. It sorta works out because we mostly use my husband's car and I bike to work. We live in a niceish neighborhood.

Anywho, I just googled for instructions, found 'em, got really excited, went to try it, and couldn't find the fuse that I was supposed to remove. After a bunch more googling, it seems that after-2004 grand prix's need to be taken to the dealer to be reprogrammed, the instructions I found were for the older ones (even though the instructions *said* 2005 - what's with all of the car fixing/generic answer websites replacing text with things I searched? Don't they WANT to be helpful?) crap.