Intermittent Lock/Unlock

[jeffg369]

I've owned the car for 6 months so I think I know how to open or lock the doors. The problem happens occasionally - the doors will not lock or unlock when the door handle is held and the button is held in. I'll try two or three times and no go I can lock or unlock the door with the key fob and then the button works. This happens only once or twice a week. Any suggestions/thoughts?

[Patrick Wong]

Originally Posted by jeffg369

I've owned the car for 6 months so I think I know how to open or lock the doors. The problem happens occasionally - the doors will not lock or unlock when the door handle is held and the button is held in. I'll try two or three times and no go I can lock or unlock the door with the key fob and then the button works. This happens only once or twice a week. Any suggestions/thoughts?

I assume you have the Smart Entry/Smart Start system with the Smart Key fob.

When locking the doors, it is not necessary to hold the door handle. It is only necessary to press the black square button.

If you hold the handle and then press the button, the system might become confused as to whether you are trying to lock, or unlock.

Try to press the black button without holding the door handle, and see if you still have a problem in locking the doors.

[ceric]

Jeff,
I want to make sure you know this...
- when unlocking, touch the inside pad of door handle. No need to press the black button.
- when locking, press the black button, no need to touch the inside pad (it is OK to touch it).

This is Toyota/Lexus way of SmartKey.
Other automakers have slightly different procedures. I hope you are not confused by it. On Mazda, for example, one needs to press the black button no matter one is trying to lock or unlock the doors.

[airman]

I had the same problem. I was touching the inside of the handle and pushing the button. Just push the button with your finger and don't loop you hand around the handle. This solved my problem.

[captnpops]

I've had this problem; mine was always linked to my cell phone... ie if my cell phone is in my pocket and fob on the bottom... there's a chance the signal is blocked... every time I pull my cell phone out... the fob works...

[jeffg369]

Thanks all. The cellphone seems to have fixed it. Black button would not work today removed phone from pocket placed it on the ground and pushed black button and door locked. If phone is in shirt pocket - no problem.

[ny biker]

Originally Posted by jeffg369

Thanks all. The cellphone seems to have fixed it. Black button would not work today removed phone from pocket placed it on the ground and pushed black button and door locked. If phone is in shirt pocket - no problem.

Interesting, since I have both phone and key fob in my purse, and they're only inches apart, and I haven't had problems.

The phone is in one pocket of the purse and the keys in another, but I can't imagine that a little thin fabric would make a difference.

[edthefox5]

Originally Posted by captnpops

I've had this problem; mine was always linked to my cell phone... ie if my cell phone is in my pocket and fob on the bottom... there's a chance the signal is blocked... every time I pull my cell phone out... the fob works...

Oh jeez...I've been having the same problem too. I know about the handle thing but the push button to lock has been very intermittent. I go to push to lock and nothing...push again...nothing...push again and it locks...maybe. Thanks alot for your post because I carry my cell phone on the same side as my key fob. I bet thats it. Woo HOO!!! Gonna check it out right now!!

Just went out to the car and it locked first try sans cell. Awesome! Thanks alot!!!!!

[richard schumacher]

Anything conductive can have the same effect: a mass of keys, a big ball of pocket change, etc.

[Sheepdog]

yet another thing where I thought I was the only one! I have started locking the doors/car by pushing the black button.

I never push any buttons on the FOB anymore. cool feature that smart key!