Key fob dead? - Honda Pilot

cwelty · 11-22-2011, 01:27 PM

My key fob has not been working intermittently. It seems to be random. Sometimes I'll go out and it will unlock fine but I get to work and it won't lock. Other times it won't unlock but when I get to work it locks. I haven't noticed a pattern.

The only think I could say that changed is that it is now cold out, but my key doesn't check the weather before leaving.

Today it wouldn't lock when I got to work. I noticed that the red light on the key didn't blink when I pushed the button. I did just try it sitting at my desk and the light blinks when I push the button now.

It must be the battery but I don't see why it would go back and forth, working or not. Has anyone else had this problem? My wifes car is 9 yrs old and on the same battery, and the vehicle I got rid of was 7. It seems like this will get obnoxious changing the key fob battery every 18 months. Is the key fob battery covered with the 36/36k warranty?

I still have to go in for the seatbelt recall and I'll find out what's up with the key. I just wanted to see if others have this problem and if they'll expect me to pay to fix it.

deanmcneill · 11-22-2011, 01:36 PM

My '07 battery lasted about 2 years, while the one in my wife's (seldom used) FOB lasted almost 4 years. My dealer said battery wasn't covered. When my battery started to go it was intermittent like yours.

Arizonaadam · 11-22-2011, 03:03 PM

Per 2011 warranty booklet:

Original equipment batteries for
key fobs and remotes are covered
for the first 6 months of
ownership

So if it's the battery, it's likely not going to be covered. You may want to try replacing the battery before taking it to the dealer. If the battery doesn't fix it, let the dealer know.

rafael73 · 11-22-2011, 03:39 PM

I changed mine about 3 months ago. also bear in mind you have to be close to the car. FOB of Accord has better range than Pilot

Chas_NJ · 11-22-2011, 05:35 PM

There apparently is a known issue with the remote key system on the 2011 pilots. When I went to my dealer with the same complaint, they said they are familiar with the problem and replaced the innards of the keys no questions asked. They did need me to leave the vehicle for half a day though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cwelty

My key fob has not been working intermittently. It seems to be random. Sometimes I'll go out and it will unlock fine but I get to work and it won't lock. Other times it won't unlock but when I get to work it locks. I haven't noticed a pattern.

The only think I could say that changed is that it is now cold out, but my key doesn't check the weather before leaving.

Today it wouldn't lock when I got to work. I noticed that the red light on the key didn't blink when I pushed the button. I did just try it sitting at my desk and the light blinks when I push the button now.

It must be the battery but I don't see why it would go back and forth, working or not. Has anyone else had this problem? My wifes car is 9 yrs old and on the same battery, and the vehicle I got rid of was 7. It seems like this will get obnoxious changing the key fob battery every 18 months. Is the key fob battery covered with the 36/36k warranty?

I still have to go in for the seatbelt recall and I'll find out what's up with the key. I just wanted to see if others have this problem and if they'll expect me to pay to fix it.

roarkrd · 11-22-2011, 05:54 PM

We have an 08 and both remote batteries (1616) have died. I noticed when changing it that the size of the battery is a lot smaller than the one in the 03's (2032) remote. It's my guess that this is what's causing the batteries short life.

AcuMarino · 11-22-2011, 10:48 PM

I have found in my Accords and Pilot, the FOB's would stop working intermittently. Found dirt/dust buildup in the Fob to be the cause of this. Unscrewed the fob, cleaned the battery contacts, works great.

Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app

candrews · 11-23-2011, 03:44 PM

Same symptoms so I just replaced the battery on my 2010. Works fine now. $5 or less, easy DIY so long as you have a small phillips head screwdriver.

Arizonaadam · 11-23-2011, 08:19 PM

Anyone know the battery number without me having to look it up? I have a freezer full of button batteries because they are ridiculously cheap in bulk.

11-22-2011, 01:27 PM	#1 (permalink)
cwelty Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Des Moines, IA Posts: 15 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Key fob dead? My key fob has not been working intermittently. It seems to be random. Sometimes I'll go out and it will unlock fine but I get to work and it won't lock. Other times it won't unlock but when I get to work it locks. I haven't noticed a pattern. The only think I could say that changed is that it is now cold out, but my key doesn't check the weather before leaving. Today it wouldn't lock when I got to work. I noticed that the red light on the key didn't blink when I pushed the button. I did just try it sitting at my desk and the light blinks when I push the button now. It must be the battery but I don't see why it would go back and forth, working or not. Has anyone else had this problem? My wifes car is 9 yrs old and on the same battery, and the vehicle I got rid of was 7. It seems like this will get obnoxious changing the key fob battery every 18 months. Is the key fob battery covered with the 36/36k warranty? I still have to go in for the seatbelt recall and I'll find out what's up with the key. I just wanted to see if others have this problem and if they'll expect me to pay to fix it. __________________ 2011 Pilot LX

11-22-2011, 03:03 PM	#3 (permalink)
Arizonaadam Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 231 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Per 2011 warranty booklet: Original equipment batteries for key fobs and remotes are covered for the first 6 months of ownership So if it's the battery, it's likely not going to be covered. You may want to try replacing the battery before taking it to the dealer. If the battery doesn't fix it, let the dealer know. __________________ Current Vehicles: '11 Pilot LX 4wd; '10 Subaru Outback 3.6R; '02 Honda Shadow 750; Pilot v. Outback: http://ohmahdeehness.wordpress.com/2...-two-vehicles/

11-22-2011, 03:39 PM	#4 (permalink)
rafael73 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: FL Posts: 70 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I changed mine about 3 months ago. also bear in mind you have to be close to the car. FOB of Accord has better range than Pilot __________________ WW: 11 Pilot EX-L ASM 2WD, JDM Yellow Turn Bulbs, Crystal Vision Hi & Low Beams, 2500K Fogs Bulbs, Stage 2 LED conversion DD: 06 Accord EX-L V6 6MT 4DR ASM, Honda MP3 Player, Honda DVD Player, JDM Yellow Turn Bulbs, 9006 Crystal Vision, 9005 2500K bulbs, 2500K Fogs bulbs, Stage 2 LED conversion, Euro Switchblade Key, TL RSB

11-22-2011, 05:54 PM	#6 (permalink)
roarkrd Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Rolla, MO Posts: 208 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	We have an 08 and both remote batteries (1616) have died. I noticed when changing it that the size of the battery is a lot smaller than the one in the 03's (2032) remote. It's my guess that this is what's causing the batteries short life. __________________ 2003 Honda Pilot EX-L: Sage Brush Pearl 2008 Honda Pilot EX-L: Steel Blue Metallic 2002 Honda CR-V EX Auto: Eternal Blue Pearl Totaled on 2/9/11 @ 100,700 miles - Spun out on the snow/ice covered highway and collided with the cable barriers.

11-22-2011, 10:48 PM	#7 (permalink)
AcuMarino Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Detroit, MI Posts: 30 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I have found in my Accords and Pilot, the FOB's would stop working intermittently. Found dirt/dust buildup in the Fob to be the cause of this. Unscrewed the fob, cleaned the battery contacts, works great. Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app __________________ 2011 Pilot Touring (Black, OEM: All weather mats, rear floor cover, Window and Sunroof guards, Premium running boards, Remote start. Custom Silver-grey "3 star" pinstripe (by dealer) 2009 Honda Accord LX-P (traded in 55K, $12,800. $19,000 new) 2007 Honda Accord SE V6 (lease) 1997 Honda Accord Special Edition (owned new, sold 168,000) 1995 Honda Civic EX (owned new, stolen by Portland meth-heads with 176,000)

11-22-2011, 01:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
deanmcneill Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Nova Scotia Canada Posts: 57 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	My '07 battery lasted about 2 years, while the one in my wife's (seldom used) FOB lasted almost 4 years. My dealer said battery wasn't covered. When my battery started to go it was intermittent like yours.

11-23-2011, 03:44 PM	#8 (permalink)
candrews Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Lakeville, MN Posts: 44 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Same symptoms so I just replaced the battery on my 2010. Works fine now. $5 or less, easy DIY so long as you have a small phillips head screwdriver. __________________ 2010 Honda Pilot EXL 4X4 / Polished Metal Metallic 2008 Acura TL / Nighthawk Black Pearl 1973 Triumph Spitfire / just 'cuz!

11-23-2011, 08:19 PM	#9 (permalink)
Arizonaadam Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 231 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Anyone know the battery number without me having to look it up? I have a freezer full of button batteries because they are ridiculously cheap in bulk. __________________ Current Vehicles: '11 Pilot LX 4wd; '10 Subaru Outback 3.6R; '02 Honda Shadow 750; Pilot v. Outback: http://ohmahdeehness.wordpress.com/2...-two-vehicles/

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
Piloteers.org Advertisement

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread: