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After sitting overnight, FOB doesn't always work until...

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Old Sep 10, 2017 | 01:40 PM
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Default After sitting overnight, FOB doesn't always work until...

I have a 2014 Z51 w/43K miles.

For a month or 2 now and if the car has been "sitting overnight", I've noticed that (usually) I can't walk up to the car and have it unlock for me by using the door "handle" even though I have my FOB with me. Sometimes pressing the UNLOCK button on the FOB will make the car respond, other times it won't. But pressing the PANIC button always makes the car respond and once that's done, everything about the FOB works normally, including opening the locked door using the "handle" and for the rest of that day

This happens with both my FOBS and their batteries are fine. No, I have not tried a battery disconnect reset yet (a PITA to get to, right?). Anyone experienced similar?

Last edited by KenHorse; Sep 10, 2017 at 01:41 PM.
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Old Sep 10, 2017 | 01:59 PM
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You sure it's not the fob batteries? Mine started acting goofy before finally dying. Happened pretty much right at the 3-year mark on both for me.

Last edited by Kracka; Sep 10, 2017 at 02:00 PM.
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Old Sep 10, 2017 | 02:10 PM
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Changed 'em both out just to be sure (measured the voltage of 'em before installing too)
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Old Sep 10, 2017 | 03:13 PM
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I would just disconnect the negative battery terminal for 10 minutes. All you need is a 10mm wrench. It is not a PITA, other than you have to re-index your windows afterwards, and you may loose a few settings.

But don't be surprised if your issue is really a marginal car battery. The computers do a lot of funky things with marginal batteries. My battery had a shorted cell and was less than 2 years old and kept on the trickle charger all the time.
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Old Sep 10, 2017 | 09:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Flame Red
I would just disconnect the negative battery terminal for 10 minutes. All you need is a 10mm wrench. It is not a PITA, other than you have to re-index your windows afterwards, and you may loose a few settings.

But don't be surprised if your issue is really a marginal car battery. The computers do a lot of funky things with marginal batteries. My battery had a shorted cell and was less than 2 years old and kept on the trickle charger all the time.
I was referring to getting AT the battery is a PITA!
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Old Sep 11, 2017 | 02:40 PM
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I found that the fob batteries have to be in very good condition, even if new. I had some batteries still in the package, put them in the fob, nothing from either fob.
Bought a brand new set of batteries, installed them, and everything has worked perfectly since then.

Also, if you do try to access the main battery in the car, I would suggest that you remove the side trim to keep from tearing the carpet. It is stiff, and seems to tear easily.


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Old Sep 11, 2017 | 08:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Flame Red
I would just disconnect the negative battery terminal for 10 minutes. All you need is a 10mm wrench. It is not a PITA, other than you have to re-index your windows afterwards, and you may loose a few settings.

But don't be surprised if your issue is really a marginal car battery. The computers do a lot of funky things with marginal batteries. My battery had a shorted cell and was less than 2 years old and kept on the trickle charger all the time.
Is 10mm used on both the poss and neg terminals ?
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Old Sep 15, 2017 | 09:57 PM
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Mine did this. When you open the fob there are two fingers that are like springs that press against the battery to provide better contact. On mine, I had to bend these up a little bit. Fixed the issue for me.
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Old Oct 26, 2017 | 06:55 PM
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Final solution to the problem
Oops... bad choice of words...

Final disposition... turns out that the C7 FOBS (at least mine) are quite sensitive to voltage, in that although the batteries in them read 2.95 (or slightly above) volts, the FOBS didn't like it that low. Now, CR2032 batteries are spec'd at 3 volts nominal and I would have thought that +/- 10% isn't that big a deal. The new batteries I used measured 3.2 and above and all has been working fine since replacing them. Who knew?


(and the suggestion about the fingers was a good one but didn't help in my case)
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