2009 Camry Hybrid Keyfob Problem

[JButton]

So my car is a 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid and it has key-less start. Yesterday, my Key-fobs didn't really work. I had both of them with me and after getting out of the house, I pressed unlock. Nothing happened, so I thought that was weird, so I go back into the house and grab the other one. Same problem.

I press unlock harder, still nothing. One thing I realize though is, when I press unlock, the top left corner of the key-fob has a red light that flashes. I'm guessing that means the key-fob IS working and their is battery inside it(since we changed it less than 3 months ago)

Both key-fobs are like that, so I took the small-key out and opened the door manually and plugged the key back into the key-fob and press on the brakes and the engine button turned green. Weird.

So after going to eat, malls and etc. The key-fob worked fine, it locks and unlocks when you press the button. However, when I got home at around 8pm, I tried locking it and it didn't work..unlocking didn't work either.

So I had to press the lock button inside the car and than close it. This morning, as I was heading to work, exact same issue...wouldn't unlock but when you use the key inside the key-fob, it opens and once you get inside, the fob works and you an turn the car back on.

Anyone know whats wrong with it and how to fix it?

Thanks guys!

[ukrkoz]

just to make sure...
1. you do not have little black sensor in the door handle that locks and unlocks vehicle?
2. your lock/unlock feature has little to do with engine start feature. ECM/BCM simply know key is inside and permit push button to start engine.

I'd start with checking door locks fuse.
it starts sounding like either your remote receiver is going bad, or has bad contact. also, you may want to do key learning procedure and cleans your ECM by removing its fuse overnight.
I am not even sure how you replaced the battery without doing learning procedure, as nowadays all remotes are rolling codes and are forgotten the very moment battery is changed, but then many say that they simply had battery in fob replaced and it all worked fine thereafter.

[JButton]

1. I think I do. If you mean the black button-thingy, where you can press on(on the door-handle) than yes I do.

Well, I've changed the battery of my Key-fob twice now in the past 6-8 months. Both times I went to the Toyota dealership and they just popped the battery out and popped a new one back in. Charged $5 + tax. Works perfectly fine afterwards.

you may want to do key learning procedure and cleans your ECM by removing its fuse overnight.

Could you direct me to a site or thread that explains what to do please?

Thanks!


Edit: Also, if your key-fob is out of battery, is there a way to use the small-key that comes with the key-fob to start the car or are you SOL?

[ukrkoz]

ok, so if you have door sensor for "hand shake" close -open, why are you even worried about fob buttons? personally, I do not remember when was the last time I touched mine. but yes, I can understand concern and need to have them function.
1. try reactivating smart entry system;
- stand outside and press smart entry system button in the door handle or trunk handle
- perform any remote fob operation
- insert mechanical key into the door and turn it
2. learning procedures are for mechanical duplicate keys with chip only
-

You Tube

You Tube

so maybe I spoke too soon
3. re-coding fobs for press button engine start systems is done by dealership only. even for that, at least one original key is needed.

[ukrkoz]

if you are changing batteries at that rate, something's draining them. DO NOT LEAVE KEY FOB CLOSE TO THE CAR, as it's continuously communicating with the vehicle smart entry system, what leads to battery drain. manual says - 7 feet.

[WhiteSands]

I own a 2007 TCH and have had this same problem happen to me. We frequently eat at two restaurants in town. One in the south part of town and the other in the northern area. Anytime we eat at either location I have a problem getting the key-fob to auto unlock the doors. The south restaurant it's worse.

I think I found the problem which may be a tall cell tower loaded with cell antennas just behind the parking lot of the south restaurant. The north restaurant has a cell tower which is a half block away.

Once were at home which is in the country or any other location in town, the key-fob auto turns on the dome light and unlocks the doors when were near the car.

At the locations where I have the difficulty I have to then manually press open, then it works after a few tries.

I keep a eye on my key-fob battery by watching for the car dome light to light when i'm within about 4 feet of the car door.

[andym1978]

For the first time since owning the car (2007 TCH), this started happening to me occasionally in my driveway since beginning of December.

ISSUES:
* Touching handle fails to unlock door with either FOB.
* Unlock button failed to work on last 2 occasions.


The 2-3 times this happened, the driver side door happened to be unlocked, and I'd unlock the doors using the button on the arm rest. Also, the car was cold. My guess was interference since it has only hit me when in my driveway so far (just bought this house in Fall), but who knows. I've heard of the 12v battery causing issues. Though mine is original and old, it still puts up over 12v under load so I don't think this is an issue for me.

If the FOB battery is low, it will give you plenty of warning on the alert screen in the car before it stops working. You should only really have to change it if the warning pops up. My FOBs last 2-3 years before needing a battery.

[JButton]

Well. I took my key out and tried opening the door(without using the small key) It wouldn't open. So right now the only option would be to use the small key to open the door. Than attach the small key back into the Fob while I'm in the car and than it works.

It's weird since I've been living at this house for the past 3 years and I've had this car since last year. It worked fine right up until yesterday. So far at two other locations(restaurant and a mall) it works fine but when I get home, it doesn't work. :/

[ukrkoz]

1. is the smart entry system working or not?

2. you have emitter somewhere in your house or close to your house. you may not be aware of it if it's in your house, or neighbors do something they did not do before.

3. is the smart entry system working or not?

PS oh, and there might have been a cell phone relay station placed close by, without letting you know. that'll do it.

[JButton]

The smart-entry system is working. I brought it to the Dealership and they checked it out and CANNOT replicate the problem. It was working flawlessly. So they think it might be some signal/frequencies interfering with it when I'm at home.

I'm starting to think it might be the Christmas lights up and around my house, since they were put in not too long ago and that seems to be the only difference.

Will report back once the lights are taken down! As of right now, I have to use the small key to open the door(when I'm parked at home) and just tap the key-fob against the "Start Engine" button and it'll work.

[ukrkoz]

Originally Posted by JButton

The smart-entry system is working. I brought it to the Dealership and they checked it out and CANNOT replicate the problem. It was working flawlessly. So they think it might be some signal/frequencies interfering with it when I'm at home.

I'm starting to think it might be the Christmas lights up and around my house, since they were put in not too long ago and that seems to be the only difference.

Will report back once the lights are taken down! As of right now, I have to use the small key to open the door(when I'm parked at home) and just tap the key-fob against the "Start Engine" button and it'll work.

2. you have emitter somewhere in your house or close to your house. you may not be aware of it if it's in your house, or neighbors do something they did not do before.

I still don't get it. if the smart entry works - why do you have to use mechanical key to open door??????????????????

[JButton]

Originally Posted by ukrkoz

2. you have emitter somewhere in your house or close to your house. you may not be aware of it if it's in your house, or neighbors do something they did not do before.

I still don't get it. if the smart entry works - why do you have to use mechanical key to open door??????????????????

Smart key works but not for entry. I go near the car with the key, nothing. I press on the button, nothing. The only way for me to open the door is to use the small-key. After I'm inside, than the smart-key system works.

[ukrkoz]

JB, you confusing 2 different things - smart entry and engine start. read my post #4 again. your smart entry appears to be disabled. it can be turned on or off, as owner wishes. all it does is to sens key presence in specific areas and open doors for you. you do not need to press anything, simply place your hand - with key on you - behind the door handle. that's it. to lock vehicle, you need to touch SE button.

1. try reactivating smart entry system;
- stand outside and press smart entry system button in the door handle or trunk handle
- perform any remote fob operation
- insert mechanical key into the door and turn it

[lncshib]

Originally Posted by JButton

Smart key works but not for entry. I go near the car with the key, nothing. I press on the button, nothing. The only way for me to open the door is to use the small-key. After I'm inside, than the smart-key system works.

As I understand it your wireless key works but in your house/garage. The smart key works at 314MHz and is a weak radio signal. If there's a similar stronger frequency then the wireless key will not work. Garage door openers works at 315Mhz and so are other RF devices. Any of these devices could malfunction and leak in the 314MHx range. Did you try pulling out of your garage and test your smart key? or across the street?

In my experience I haven't use the wireless key, it's always in my pocket and this is one the best features I like. The only time I have to use the wireless is to press the panic button because of the alarm.

[JButton]

Thanks for all your help. So we finally figured out what it was.

It was actually our Neighbors Christmas lights that were affecting our keys signal. Just to clarify.

A) I went next to the door, it won't detect the key to open while my hand was tugging on the door-handle.
B) I was within 5 meters and kept taking a step closer towards the car, while pressing "unlock" on the key-fob nothing happened.
C) Surprisingly the trunk opened(or so I think) while my key was in my pocket and I just put my hand underneath and it popped open. I'm not sure what this is called but for BMW it's "Comfort Access"

The only reason I was able to get into the car when it was parked at my house was via the small-key attached to the fob. I'm guessing check if theirs some frequency/signals around your area before heading to the dealership.

Thanks again guys! Luckily the dealership couldn't replicate what happened or else they would've sold me on something I don't need lol