KEY FOB DEAD?

[AC0GV]

Over the weekend I was reminded of the problems that a dead battery in the key fob can cause. I carry a spare key fob in both my car and tow vehicle. I removed the batteries and wrapped the spare in foil because in my old Lincoln it will start with no battery if the fob is in the car. Saturday, I got a call from an F150 owner that said his fob was not working (no key detected) to start the truck. Videos on the web show the built-in secret hiding place for the fob, IT IS NOT FOR THAT, it is where you can place your dead fob and still start the vehicle. Next time you get an oil change ask you dealer where your hidden compartment is. I had it happen on the road in Montana last year, I drove into the gas station, filled with gas, and it would not re-start. On Saturday I just told the driver to put the fob in the “secret hiding place” and he was on the road again.

[dmad1]

Put a couple of spare batteries in your console or glove compartment for times like these.

[AC0GV]

Originally Posted by dmad1

Put a couple of spare batteries in your console or glove compartment for times like these.

and yes, now I do. I have been watching for batteries in gas stations but no coin cells to be found.

[dmad1]

Bought mine at Harbor Freight and Lowes.

[TWelch]

I am totally ignorant, I admit, on this topic. How do you even open the fob to get to the battery? I have always taken mine to the dealer for battery replacement. I have an Odyssey, 2019. . . I can see how to take out the metal key that is embedded in it, but no clue as to how to replace the battery in it.
Thanks.

[AC0GV]

Originally Posted by TWelch

I am totally ignorant, I admit, on this topic. How do you even open the fob to get to the battery? I have always taken mine to the dealer for battery replacement. I have an Odyssey, 2019. . . I can see how to take out the metal key that is embedded in it, but no clue as to how to replace the battery in it.
Thanks.

...is getting the new battery out of the package.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKtDQAXda9o

[TWelch]

Thank you so much for the video!!
I can't tell you how much I appreciate it!
Absolutely super.

[C&G in FL]

Originally Posted by AC0GV

Over the weekend I was reminded of the problems that a dead battery in the key fob can cause. I carry a spare key fob in both my car and tow vehicle. I removed the batteries and wrapped the spare in foil because in my old Lincoln it will start with no battery if the fob is in the car. Saturday, I got a call from an F150 owner that said his fob was not working (no key detected) to start the truck. Videos on the web show the built-in secret hiding place for the fob, IT IS NOT FOR THAT, it is where you can place your dead fob and still start the vehicle. Next time you get an oil change ask you dealer where your hidden compartment is. I had it happen on the road in Montana last year, I drove into the gas station, filled with gas, and it would not re-start. On Saturday I just told the driver to put the fob in the “secret hiding place” and he was on the road again.

That works if you have the push button start. My XLH is key start. But I believe if you have a key cut, even if it’s not “activated,” a dead key in the compartment will allow the non-activated key to start the F-150. It is my understanding that the “secret compartment” reads the key even if its battery has gone to the big recycling center in the sky!

[Jon in AZ]

I'm grateful for the heads-up. My wife's newer daily driver has push-button ignition. It happened on a Nissan rental a few years ago. No secret compartment, but there was a very specific back-up start procedure. I need to find out what it is for my wife’s car before it happens.

Myself, I've been driving my Pilot for several years now using just the valet key. No battery, no chip, no problem!