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multigraincracker

(34,289 posts)
Mon Dec 23, 2024, 02:31 PM Monday

Key fob or car electric system?

Spent an hour or so at the Rec Center. Came out and fob wouldn’t unlock to door or deck lid. Kept pushing the button and nothing. Went back in the building to warm up for about 5 minutes and found deck open and doors unlocked. 2012 Focus.
Think I replaced fob battery a couple of years ago and car battery last year.
31 degrees out.
May never happen again. For now wait and see.

15 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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multigraincracker

(34,289 posts)
2. Think ill switch it with the spare and see if it happens again.
Mon Dec 23, 2024, 02:37 PM
Monday

The fob did work with a 5 minute delay.

viva la

(3,854 posts)
3. Just yesterday I had to replace TWO key fobs.
Mon Dec 23, 2024, 02:44 PM
Monday

One hasn't worked for awhile, and the other broke (the circuit board) when I dropped it.
$350.
I guess I seldom have to buy new tires because they last so well now. But these keys cost like 2 tires.

viva la

(3,854 posts)
5. They had to be programmed for my car. That's where the $300 comes in. It took the tech about 30 minutes.
Mon Dec 23, 2024, 02:54 PM
Monday

All this high-tech stuff. There are all these theft controls that have to be synced to the fob, I guess.

I did look into a kit that let you program it yourself, but the first step was 'insert key fob into key programming slot under the steering wheel," and there was no slot. Frustrating! I guess the idea is just what happened with me-- I got so frustrated after that, I willingly called a locksmith and paid weekend prices.

Oh, well, I just won't buy any more Xmas gifts!

viva la

(3,854 posts)
11. There was a really good video that explained how to program.
Mon Dec 23, 2024, 05:47 PM
Monday

But without that slot (which I'm sure is somewhere in the car, but the manual wouldn't say), nothing worked.
Too late now anyway.
I was going to get a new car, but now I've got these shiny new keys, maybe I'll wait a few months.

3Hotdogs

(13,559 posts)
13. New car .... economically, always a bad idea.
Mon Dec 23, 2024, 06:03 PM
Monday

But if you are really set on one, do it before the idiot's tariff's are set.

viva la

(3,854 posts)
14. I usually get a used one. "Gently used."
Mon Dec 23, 2024, 07:05 PM
Monday

I'll probably look for a 2023 or 2024.
You know what they say-- "The new car depreciates 10% the moment you drive off the lot."

Response to viva la (Reply #5)

FSogol

(46,725 posts)
7. $350 is too much. Avoid the dealer. Go to a local locksmith and they can copy the fob progamming onto a genric version
Mon Dec 23, 2024, 04:03 PM
Monday

for about $80.

viva la

(3,854 posts)
12. It was on a Sunday, and they came to my house. (Good, because I couldn't start my car!)
Mon Dec 23, 2024, 05:49 PM
Monday

So I'm sure it was double for the weekend.
I'm remembering the first key fob I got-- there was still a key ignition start also. That would be useful.
Then again, I'm still longing for a return to DIALS for volume control.

doc03

(36,948 posts)
8. I had 2015 Ford Fusion I read there was secret code in them that was not in the
Mon Dec 23, 2024, 05:29 PM
Monday

car manual, it would roll down all the windows and open the moon roof. I tried it and it worked, maybe you accidently
hit that code while messing with buttons.

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