Key Fob

[Bob Cochran]

I was wondering the other day even if you have the key to the door what happens if the battery goes dead in the key fob. It disables the engine key fob battery dead then you cannot start the engine. So I have the following questions:

1) If you replace battery do you lose the program? Can it be reprogrammed without the other fob? I can see the battery dead and replace it and it loses program, replace and has no program and the other key fob with wife miles away?

2) How can you disable the unit that blocks the engine from starting? Is there a fuse someplace?



I just put a second battery in the center console just in case, but even a new battery can be a problem!!!:{

 

[Bob Cochran]

Hey did I stump everybody?

 

[Bigsaint]

Bob, I'm not sure, but I'd bet that there is a short term memory storage capacity in the key fob. Why not try this while at home and while you have access to both fobs... . take one apart and remove the batt. , wait maybe a few minutes and replace the batt. , if it doesn't work, then you'll know. As long as you have one working key fob, you can reprogram the other yourself, it's right in the manual. The manual goes over batt. replacement but states nothing about the need to reprogram the fob after same, my guess is that it retains the original programming. Hope this helps !!!



Scott W.

 

[Bob Cochran]

Scott thought the same thing but never thought about doing it at home before it was a REAL problem!!! DUHHHH :-laf



Okay just read the service manual, I should learn to read before I ask questions. What I learned :



First I bought 1 2016 battery for the fob and it takes 2. Boy would that have ticked me off if later batteries went dead in the middle of nowhere!!!



Second if I read it right the FOB has a code non-volitle programmed in it. This code is programmed in the the RKE reciever in the truck by the fob!!! So dead battery in fob don't hurt a thing accept it does not transmit any longer so don't work is all can have the battery out for hours, days months!!!



:--)

 

[Bigsaint]

Life is like a box of chocolates Lets us know what you find



Scott W.

 

[Bob Cochran]

Love chocolate!!!

 

[Bigsaint]

Me too !!! Thanks for the info



Scott W.

 

[EShaw]

I can't believe I missed this one!

Bob and Scott,

You are correct that the fob is just a transmitter... ... the security system in the truck learns the code (from transmitter).

Now... ... ... if your transmitter takes a crap and you unlock the door with the key you have just disabled the security system and the truck will start... ... . Scott, remember I put in the remote start? the power door locks and arm/disarm share the same circuit wire. Not to fear... ... . it will start.

Eric

 

[Bigsaint]

Good info Eric, thanks .



Scott W.

 

[Bob Cochran]

EShaw you sure? I don't have the alarm but the engine is disabled to prevent starting. I think it sets itself in 30 seconds if you don't do it immediately when the truck is locked with the fob. I know for sure just unlocking door with the key will not let the truck be started. If you unlock the truck with the key you still have to press the unlock on the fob before it will start. Maybe when you have keyless entry but no alarm it works different? Now if you disable it using the valet buttonbehind the flashing red LED you don't have to do any of the above but who wants to do that???



I think it must be different when you have the alarm is the only thing I can think.