Problems with Key Fob

Cate · Fri May 24, 2013 9:21 pm

Help! Having trouble with my fob this week. I keep it in my purse, haven't taken it out in months, it just always is detected and works.

1st: Couldn't open my door with the button on door handle after shopping the other day. Dug the fob out of my purse and the buttons on that didn't unlock the door. After trying a few more times, the button on door handle finally unlocked the car and it started fine.

2nd: Car would not start today, message on dash said "Place Key FOB on start switch". So I touched the fob to the round button and held it there and the car started. I went and got my 2nd fob to take with me so I wouldn't have trouble while out shopping.

Now am home and just went back to garage with only my fob and I still have to touch it to the start switch to start the engine. So, is this a sign of needing a battery, or should I take it to Suzuki for them to check? I have a 2011 SLS Sport, still under warranty.

Thanks.

Fri May 24, 2013 11:17 pm

I'm a little confused by the last paragraph....did you use the 2nd FOB or the 1st FOB when you went back out in to the garage?

I've noticed that both my FOBs are not working as far away from the car as they did when I first purchased the car. Normally the thing is in my pocket and I walk up to the handle and press the button.

Sat May 25, 2013 1:37 am

Cate wrote:Help! Having trouble with my fob this week. I keep it in my purse, haven't taken it out in months, it just always is detected and works.

1st: Couldn't open my door with the button on door handle after shopping the other day. Dug the fob out of my purse and the buttons on that didn't unlock the door. After trying a few more times, the button on door handle finally unlocked the car and it started fine.

2nd: Car would not start today, message on dash said "Place Key FOB on start switch". So I touched the fob to the round button and held it there and the car started. I went and got my 2nd fob to take with me so I wouldn't have trouble while out shopping.

Now am home and just went back to garage with only my fob and I still have to touch it to the start switch to start the engine. So, is this a sign of needing a battery, or should I take it to Suzuki for them to check? I have a 2011 SLS Sport, still under warranty.

Thanks.

Looks to me like a telltale sign of fob battery going out. Replace it and it should be resolved.

honsonwong · Sat May 25, 2013 2:23 am

I believe it is the battery problem too.

murcod · Sun May 26, 2013 3:16 am

Yes, it would be the first thing to try.

Cate · Mon May 27, 2013 10:21 pm

Thanks, all. Feel kind of silly now as it was just the battery. Replaced it the other day and it's been fine now. Will also replace the battery in my 2nd fob, as that one doesn't unlock the doors unless you are very close to the car.

It was frustrating to find how to open the fob and what battery to get (CR2032), I could not find that in my manual at all! I got the battery number from searching this forum, and husband figured out how to open and replace it.

murcod · Tue May 28, 2013 2:37 am

Perhaps Suzuki were hoping you'll pay them to change it?

Good to hear it was a simple fix.

NiteRider · Wed May 29, 2013 9:45 pm

It's important to note that you should replace the FOB batteries soon after you discover they are getting low. Once they are fully depleted, they will lose their programming and will need to be reprogrammed by the dealer which will cost you a pretty penny.

Kelevra · Thu May 30, 2013 4:13 am

NiteRider wrote:It's important to note that you should replace the FOB batteries soon after you discover they are getting low. Once they are fully depleted, they will lose their programming and will need to be reprogrammed by the dealer which will cost you a pretty penny.

Good to know, thank you..

Thu May 30, 2013 12:41 pm

NiteRider wrote:It's important to note that you should replace the FOB batteries soon after you discover they are getting low. Once they are fully depleted, they will lose their programming and will need to be reprogrammed by the dealer which will cost you a pretty penny.

10-4, Thanks! I was wondering about this if they get to the "touch the FOB to the start button" in order to start the car state.