2020highlander Key Fob

1311 Views 5 Replies 3 Participants Last post by Rickvmax, Feb 15, 2020

Grant Taylor

Discussion Starter · Feb 13, 2020

Why doesn't my key fob work unlocking the doors after putting it in battery saving mode and then operating any button? It works on the Toyota app and just using the door handle. After using the app, it works for a few minutes then won't work again. Both the key fobs supplied with the vehicle act the same. I refer to page 132 of the owners manual. What am I missing here?

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Rickvmax

· #2 · Feb 15, 2020

Not sure what exactly have done so far, perhaps somehow the system is slightly confused... Anyhow try this and see if solves the issue, assuming your HL all doors are currently locked, grab and hold of the driver-side exterior handle while use the physical key to unlock the door, open the door wait for 10-seconds then close the door, now lock the door using your key fob. Do this with only one fob.

If the above returns the system to normal, use the 2nd key fob to lock/unlock normally...

P.S. Not sure about using the app... Force stop the app/disabled until you have the system working normally with the 2 key fobs.

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Grant Taylor

Discussion Starter · #3 · Feb 15, 2020

Rickvmax said:
Not sure what exactly have done so far, perhaps somehow the system is slightly confused... Anyhow try this and see if solves the issue, assuming your HL all doors are currently locked, grab and hold of the driver-side exterior handle while use the physical key to unlock the door, open the door wait for 10-seconds then close the door, now lock the door using your key fob. Do this with only one fob.

If the above returns the system to normal, use the 2nd key fob to lock/unlock normally...

P.S. Not sure about using the app... Force stop the app/disabled until you have the system working normally with the 2 key fobs.

When I grab the drivers door handle the door will unlock if I have the fob. Then, the fob will lock and unlock the door numerous times by itself. You think all is good then after a certain time, the fob will not work again and I will have to unlock again using the handle. The fob will work again then somehow, time out and not become functional again. I have not tried your suggestion as yet. I just wanted to let you know more clearly what's happening. This I repeat seemed to start after I used the "key fob battery saving function" on both fobs. And now, both fobs are acting the same. Toyota app works fine in locking/unlocking doors. I hope this does not mean a trip to the dealer?

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toto

· #4 · Feb 15, 2020 (Edited)

There has to be a logical explanation for what's happening.

Whatever happens with the Toyota app is probably unrelated. That's using the Internet and the cellular data module in the car to communicate, not the same system as the key fob.

What else is going on when you're testing? I know unexpected things will happen if both key fobs are within several feet of the car, or if at least one key fob is inside the car. Also, I know the remotes will behave differently if the engine is running. Haven't tried it yet with the 2020 HL, but with my last HL and my Tacoma, it always drives me nuts when the engine is running, I'm outside of the car, and the passenger doors are locked. The unlock button on the key fob won't unlock the doors in that situation.

When that battery-saving function is activated on a key fob, all that should happen is that you cannot unlock the doors by getting that fob near the car and grabbing the handle. Since you're able to unlock the doors by grabbing the handle, I think it's safe to say that at least one fob is not in battery-saving mode.The buttons on the key fob should continue to work when pressed.

Another thought... after you unlock the door one way or another, open at least one door. If you command the doors to unlock, they will lock themselves again after 60 seconds if no door is opened. (That time interval can be adjusted in the menus on the 8" or 12" touch screen.)

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Grant Taylor

Discussion Starter · #5 · Feb 15, 2020

toto said:
There has to be a logical explanation for what's happening.

Whatever happens with the Toyota app is probably unrelated. That's using the Internet and the cellular data module in the car to communicate, not the same system as the key fob.

What else is going on when you're testing? I know unexpected things will happen if both key fobs are within several feet of the car, or if at least one key fob is inside the car. Also, I know the remotes will behave differently if the engine is running. Haven't tried it yet with the 2020 HL, but with my last HL and my Tacoma, it always drives me nuts when the engine is running, I'm outside of the car, and the passenger doors are locked. The unlock button on the key fob won't unlock the doors in that situation.

When that battery-saving function is activated on a key fob, all that should happen is that you cannot unlock the doors by getting that fob near the car and grabbing the handle. Since you're able to unlock the doors by grabbing the handle, I think it's safe to say that at least one fob is not in battery-saving mode.The buttons on the key fob should continue to work when pressed.

I am wondering if I remove and re-install the fob battery if that will cure the problem? When the fob is working, it will easily shoot through our metal inside garage door until it "times out" and will not work again. Then, I have to grab the drivers door handle only and I can use the fob for awhile until it times out again making it useless. So let's say I use the door handle to unlock/lock the door, I can then lock/unlock using the fob. Then, when I go to bed, the next morning, same problem, fobs will not work. Frustrated and stumped to say the least!

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Rickvmax

· #6 · Feb 15, 2020

Do this with one key fob at a time (keep the other out of range for now), Yes, definitely you can pull the battery wait for a minute or two then reinstall the battery and test the key fob.

As far as my earlier post about grabbing the handle and use the physical key to unlock the driver-side door is with all key fobs out of range; otherwise, as you mentioned the fob will cause the door to unlock as soon as you have your hand on the handle.

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