Truck Maintenance

[Fishindude77]

Seems like all these modern electronic capabilities of our automobiles are sure causing a lot of problems for the little bit of luxury they add.

I've not tested this theory yet, but I suspect if you left your modern vehicle somewhere such as a remote trailhead for an extended period such as a long backpacking trip there is a strong possibility you could come back to a dead vehicle that won't start?
Does anyone have any insight on this?

[QuarterMillionMan]

A new problem happened. Electrical system completely dark w/no lights on dashboard, no radio, engine did not start. Called AAA for tow. Guy comes uses my manual key inserted in my driver's side door and turns it. Immediately all dashboard lights come on and engine starts, weird. Scheduled an appointment w/dealer for Monday to see what is happening.

[QuarterMillionMan]

The free trial was great. I will have to look into the subscription, thanks for reminding me about that. It could be worth the headache in the future.

[ua_guy]

The day will come when you are out and about and guess what, you cannot find your key FOB. What good is your key FOB at home? Yes, your significant other can deliver your key FOB to you but I hope you're not 150 miles away. Being a single guy, I don't have that option.

If it truly is a proximity key, it could be screwing with the system having it hidden under the car. A Fob is actually a thing, not an acronym. No need to capitalize it

I've actually never lost a set of keys. Locked them in the car once, way before proximity key systems and phone apps. Speaking of which, you said you own a Chevrolet. You probably have access to the MyChevrolet app and connected services (usually comes with a free trial) which allows you to lock/unlock and perform remote functions and monitor location of your car.

[QuarterMillionMan]

The day will come when you are out and about and guess what, you cannot find your key FOB. What good is your key FOB at home? Yes, your significant other can deliver your key FOB to you but I hope you're not 150 miles away. Being a single guy, I don't have that option.

[ua_guy]

If it has to be within a couple feet of the dash / center console I should imagine where he has it hid is sufficiently far away.

That said I am not a fan of this method. Magnets / duct tape / and all the rest, when the day comes you need the spare and find out it is not where you left it because you hit a bump or slammed a door.

Proximity keys are just that. They enable door unlock and other functions within a radius of the vehicle, usually up to about 3' away.

[myrdale]

Is the fob a proximity key? If it were my car I wouldn't be keeping a spare fob hidden under the car. That would basically enable anyone to walk up to it and unlock or start the car, yes?

If it has to be within a couple feet of the dash / center console I should imagine where he has it hid is sufficiently far away.

That said I am not a fan of this method. Magnets / duct tape / and all the rest, when the day comes you need the spare and find out it is not where you left it because you hit a bump or slammed a door.

[QuarterMillionMan]

Also, a dead key FOB battery won't unlock the door. Need to use the actual key inside the key FOB.

[QuarterMillionMan]

No & no. For the 1st one the key FOB is far enough away hidden under the chassis that it is not detected and cannot start the car. For the 2nd one with a dead battery in the key FOB once my owner's manual said to use the key FOB itself to press the start button which I tried to no avail. Upon replacing the battery it started right up. So again no & no.

[ua_guy]

This should be a lesson to everyone if your key FOB battery dies your car won't start.

Not exactly. Most proximity keys still work to start the engine even if the battery is dead. They typically need to be placed in a specific spot in the vehicle (the owner's manual will tell you) and/or held up directly to the start button when attempting to start the engine. The fob contains an RFID which is still operable without the battery if you get it close enough to the car's reader.

[ua_guy]

After I did some research it has to do with the key FOB not being recognized. On Youtube a few channels said to reset the system with 3x cycles of turning on (accessories) then off which then the system recognizes the key FOB, which I think I did unknowingly while I was stranded in the parking lot. In addition, I always keep a new spare CR2032 battery in my glove box which I changed the key FOB battery while stranded in the parking lot. In addition, I have a spare key FOB hidden under my chasis which I tried to get to by crawling under my car but couldn't get because I was parked next to a curb. I had ordered an Uber in order to get my groceries home but right as the Uber arrived my car started and the warning disappeared. I had to pay a $5 cancellation fee which I understand and I as I was leaving saw the driver and told him what happened and I would pay the fee. I must have tried 5x's of off then on, then off then on, etc. Which must have resetted the key FOB.

Is the fob a proximity key? If it were my car I wouldn't be keeping a spare fob hidden under the car. That would basically enable anyone to walk up to it and unlock or start the car, yes?

[myrdale]

I always keep a new spare CR2032 battery in my glove box which I changed the key FOB battery while stranded in the parking lot.

I do this as well. It is worth double checking what type of battery yours needs ahead of time, as my Tacoma is a CR2016 not CR2032. They are both the same diameter, but the CR2016 is about half the thickness.

[QuarterMillionMan]

Similar images of what I got is the words saying "Service Theft Deterrent System," and the icon of a car with a padlock. The engine did not start. However, I truely believe if I was able to retrieve my spare key FOB hidden under my chasis which the curb prevented me from getting, I'm almost positive my car would have started with the spare key FOB.

[QuarterMillionMan]

This should be a lesson to everyone if your key FOB battery dies your car won't start.

[QuarterMillionMan]

After I did some research it has to do with the key FOB not being recognized. On Youtube a few channels said to reset the system with 3x cycles of turning on (accessories) then off which then the system recognizes the key FOB, which I think I did unknowingly while I was stranded in the parking lot. In addition, I always keep a new spare CR2032 battery in my glove box which I changed the key FOB battery while stranded in the parking lot. In addition, I have a spare key FOB hidden under my chasis which I tried to get to by crawling under my car but couldn't get because I was parked next to a curb. I had ordered an Uber in order to get my groceries home but right as the Uber arrived my car started and the warning disappeared. I had to pay a $5 cancellation fee which I understand and I as I was leaving saw the driver and told him what happened and I would pay the fee. I must have tried 5x's of off then on, then off then on, etc. Which must have resetted the key FOB.