My key fob stopped working after six months. I replaced the battery but it's still not working. I double checked polarity. Unfortunately we're in the midst of moving and my owner's manual is in a box somewhere. Can someone tell me if there's a procedure you have to go through after a battery chanage to get the fob working again? Some fobs require a "reset" sequence to get them talking to the keyless entry system again.

Thanks.

 

There is no "reset" procedure when replacing the transmitter battery. I have replaced batteries in key fob transmitters for several of my vehicles, including the RX-8, and they worked immediately. Sounds like something else is going on here. It's unlikely--not impossible of course--that the battery would die in 6 months. I assume you mean 6 months after you purchased the car new? Check the cars build date on the drivers side door and figure out how old the car (and fob) was when the fob quit working.

Do your other transmitters work? If so, the transmitter is probably gone. If the others don't work either, look elsewhere for the problem. You can pick up a transmitter-fob on eBay, and you can program your car to recognize a new transmitter if you have 2 working transmitters. Instructions for doing so are in the shop manual and also on this forum.

 

Thanks. The car was built 07/03 so it's actually two years old. It's a 2004 bought at the end of the model year and I knew it has been on the lot for a while (just waiting for me ). I guess it's actually 10 months now since I got it.

The other remote works so the receiver is fine. Replaced the battery on the bad remote and no joy. The remotes I've had to reset were GM (father in-law's not mine). On those you hold the lock and unlock for 10 seconds by the vehicle and it recognizes it.

If the remote is toast is should still be under warranty, I think.

 

Same deal here. My primary fob quit working about 2 months ago. My build is 9/03. Replacing the battery did not work.

 

Check with the dealer. It should be covered under warranty.

By any chance, did you have to use it in heavy rain or something? Never heard of remotes going bad...

 

Agree. I've had some that were going strong after 4+ years. Dealer time.

 

My transmitter has also conked out. Replaced the battery and nothing. I remember seeing this thread and saying those guys don't know how to change a battery. Now the same thing has happened to me! Other key fob works like a champ. late 03 build date as well

Any updates from the dealer? Or anyone know what's going on?

 

i don't know about our cars, but BMWs remote keys lose their initializations from time to time. there is a specific way to re-initialize BMW keys.

maybe it's the same with the RX8

 

Hey Roland,

There is a small trick to getting your keyless entry to work. Most keyless remotes are put together with a tiny screw in the back of the remote. If you unscrew it and take it apart carefully, you'll see a small electronic pad thing. now you're going to need one of those small flat head screwdrivers used on eye glasses. Look for the small cylindrical shaped part inside the remote. You might want to do this under a bright light.

Now comes the hard part. Depending how many buttons the remote has, you're going to be constantly pressing and depressing on the unlock button/switch. Make sure you locate that button before continuing on. now with the screwdriver insert it into the cylindrical shaped part. Inside the cylindrical part is a cross shaped cut. Pretty much looks like the top of a screw. Now as you are pressing the unlock button. Very slowly turn the screwdriver. Turn it right or left. But you need to turn it like 0.25 mm at a time.

I have the old viper alarm system and autolocks installed with it. When I drop my remote really hard or change batteries, I would go through this procedure. Works everytime. Sometimes takes 10 sec, sometimes 5 minutes. It takes some patients to get it to work.

 

Just to update, I took my 8 in for the recalls yesterday. I told them I'd replaced the battery in the remote and it still wasn't working. They said it was bad and replaced it under warranty. They did need the second remote to go through the reprogramming.

Thanks for the tip, Y&Y. I didn't get to check for that adjustment before I took it in. I don't think I'll tempt fate by opening my new remote right now.

 

Thanks for the update. Did you try to get the switchblade key fob?

 

No I didn't even think of it. Honestly, I'm not sure that I'd like the switchblade key.