Key fob locks but won't unlock - Toyota Yaris Forums

Pingouin · 09-15-2010, 03:21 AM

Hi all,
A new problem developed on my 3dr 2008 Yaris this morning: although the key fob can lock the doors, it won't unlock them. I tried the spare fob, and it did the same. After many attempts, it may successfully unlock once in a while. The inside button does work though, and I can still unlock the driver's door with the key. I thought it could be the fob battery, but then the lock button always work, and unlocks is really struggling to work even when using the fob inside the vehicle. Besides, the little red light on the fob works fine.
Any ideas what could be wrong? It's still under warranty, but since it seems to work randomly, I bet that if I go to the garage it will work, they'll tell me that they can't fix something that works and I'll be wasting my time.

*EDIT* it seems that if I point the remote from the front window towards the back of the vehicle, the likelihood of the fob successfully unlocking the doors increases significantly, so I may try to change the fob battery anyway, albeit as I said before locking is working fine.

bobolinko · 09-15-2010, 03:29 PM

[QUOTE=
*EDIT* it seems that if I point the remote from the front window towards the back of the vehicle, the likelihood of the fob successfully unlocking the doors increases significantly, so I may try to change the fob battery anyway, albeit as I said before locking is working fine.[/QUOTE]

Shucks Auto has a keyfob remote tester on their counter (most locations) and it will analyze the fob transmitter's signal to see wheather your battery is bad/weak. For those that visit them, test your keyfob transmitter so that you won't have the same prob. I did while waiting for my reciept, and bought batteries while I was there, saving a trip for batteries. (only 2 years old)

I had the same issue and the batteries were not up-to-par and replacement corrected the problem on BOTH of my keys.....

Pingouin · 09-15-2010, 03:53 PM

Thanks bobolinko for the reply!
Yep, I switched the battery with a spare one I had lying around and it sorted the problem. Strangely, my other fob didn't seem to work either (which led me to believe that it wasn't the battery since I never use the other fob), and it worked when I got back home tonight

Still strange that locking was working fine. Also, the "dead" battery I removed is still at about 80% charge, so be weary that if it seems fine, it might still have insufficient juice!

09-15-2010, 03:21 AM	#1
Pingouin Drives: Yaris Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Outside of it Posts: 28	Key fob locks but won't unlock Hi all, A new problem developed on my 3dr 2008 Yaris this morning: although the key fob can lock the doors, it won't unlock them. I tried the spare fob, and it did the same. After many attempts, it may successfully unlock once in a while. The inside button does work though, and I can still unlock the driver's door with the key. I thought it could be the fob battery, but then the lock button always work, and unlocks is really struggling to work even when using the fob inside the vehicle. Besides, the little red light on the fob works fine. Any ideas what could be wrong? It's still under warranty, but since it seems to work randomly, I bet that if I go to the garage it will work, they'll tell me that they can't fix something that works and I'll be wasting my time. EDIT it seems that if I point the remote from the front window towards the back of the vehicle, the likelihood of the fob successfully unlocking the doors increases significantly, so I may try to change the fob battery anyway, albeit as I said before locking is working fine. Last edited by Pingouin; 09-15-2010 at 04:02 AM.

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09-15-2010, 03:29 PM	#2
bobolinko Bob Drives: Yaris and Scion XD 5 spd BSP Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Was Hawaii - Moved to Everett WA Posts: 145	[QUOTE= EDIT it seems that if I point the remote from the front window towards the back of the vehicle, the likelihood of the fob successfully unlocking the doors increases significantly, so I may try to change the fob battery anyway, albeit as I said before locking is working fine.[/QUOTE] Shucks Auto has a keyfob remote tester on their counter (most locations) and it will analyze the fob transmitter's signal to see wheather your battery is bad/weak. For those that visit them, test your keyfob transmitter so that you won't have the same prob. I did while waiting for my reciept, and bought batteries while I was there, saving a trip for batteries. (only 2 years old) I had the same issue and the batteries were not up-to-par and replacement corrected the problem on BOTH of my keys.....

09-15-2010, 03:53 PM	#3
Pingouin Drives: Yaris Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Outside of it Posts: 28	Thanks bobolinko for the reply! Yep, I switched the battery with a spare one I had lying around and it sorted the problem. Strangely, my other fob didn't seem to work either (which led me to believe that it wasn't the battery since I never use the other fob), and it worked when I got back home tonight Still strange that locking was working fine. Also, the "dead" battery I removed is still at about 80% charge, so be weary that if it seems fine, it might still have insufficient juice!