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Battery in key fob ?

wanderingbob
Explorer II
Explorer II
Came out of restaurant today , punched the door fob , battery in fob was dead . I could have unlocked with key but next door was Auto Zone , replaced battery , all fine ! My question is if fob battery was 100 % dead would my 2014 Ram 2500 CTD have started , does the fob have to have juice for motor to run ?
38 REPLIES 38

Fordlover
Explorer
Explorer
fj12ryder wrote:
mich800 wrote:
fj12ryder wrote:
Another useless "feature" that makes me glad I don't have a vehicle that needs the fob.


Why, it was already demonstrated it does not impair your ability to use the vehicle.
Really?

"I have had a dead fob battery or near dead and the car does NOT start. Message, "keyless not detected" comes up. I just recently had to replace the batteries to both my fobs to the SUV."

Personally I fail to see the usefulness of the silly pushbutton/fob combination. Just one more thing to go wrong, and it adds nothing of real value.

My step-son has a bike with the fob, and he has started the bike then forgetfully put the fob down and rode away. He discovered it a hundred miles later when he filled up and couldn't start the bike since the fob was sitting in his garage back home. Handy, really handy.


I guess I'm glad you aren't in charge of making decisions on option availability on vehicles. I like not having to fish keys out when I have my hands full with other things.

I really like the keyless entry pad on the door of FoMoCo products.

I've never had a battery run down in a fob in the Ford, but in my Infiniti I got a warning message about a low battery, and replaced it before it became an issue. There is also a cubby to put the key in if the battery becomes too low to start it, both on the Infiniti and on the truck.
2016 Skyline Layton Javelin 285BH
2018 F-250 Lariat Crew 6.2 Gas 4x4 FX4 4.30 Gear
2007 Infiniti G35 Sport 6 speed daily driver
Retired 2002 Ford Explorer 4.6 V8 4x4
Sold 2007 Crossroads Sunset Trail ST19CK

mich800
Explorer
Explorer
fj12ryder wrote:
mich800 wrote:
fj12ryder wrote:
Another useless "feature" that makes me glad I don't have a vehicle that needs the fob.


Why, it was already demonstrated it does not impair your ability to use the vehicle.
Really?

"I have had a dead fob battery or near dead and the car does NOT start. Message, "keyless not detected" comes up. I just recently had to replace the batteries to both my fobs to the SUV."

Personally I fail to see the usefulness of the silly pushbutton/fob combination. Just one more thing to go wrong, and it adds nothing of real value.

My step-son has a bike with the fob, and he has started the bike then forgetfully put the fob down and rode away. He discovered it a hundred miles later when he filled up and couldn't start the bike since the fob was sitting in his garage back home. Handy, really handy.


You must have had some early adopter push button start technology. That is not how they work now. They are no more risky than forgetting your cut key in ignition format. No key no start, no fob no start. Batteries not included or batteries dead no problem.

fj12ryder
Explorer III
Explorer III
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Pick up FOB from where you store it, place in your pocket.

Wife keeps hers in her purse. She can approach passenger side touch handle and is in without waiting for me.
Why would she want to get in without a driver? What's the advantage in that? I mean you can come up with reasons why it's you think it's handy, but really they're just excuses for added/needless complexity. And they'll bite you in the butt if something goes "Oops". KISS. And what happens when you lose that fob? I can get a spare key cut for a couple bucks. What's a spare fob cost?
Howard and Peggy

"Don't Panic"

camperdave
Explorer
Explorer
Super_Dave wrote:
I have had a dead fob battery or near dead and the car does NOT start. Message, "keyless not detected" comes up. I just recently had to replace the batteries to both my fobs to the SUV.


There should be a procedure to start the car even with a dead FOB battery. In my wife's car, it's a matter of putting the remote in a specific 'slot' in the center console. Some car's have a hidden ignition switch under a cover, and a key inside the FOB you can use. Check the manual (or google) for your particular car, I bet there's a way to start it with a dead FOB battery.
2004 Fleetwood Tioga 29v

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
Pick up FOB from where you store it, place in your pocket.

Wife keeps hers in her purse. She can approach passenger side touch handle and is in without waiting for me.
2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
fj12ryder wrote:
Another useless "feature" that makes me glad I don't have a vehicle that needs the fob.


HONESTLY it’s great. Have a FOB for MC also.
2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD

fj12ryder
Explorer III
Explorer III
mich800 wrote:
fj12ryder wrote:
Another useless "feature" that makes me glad I don't have a vehicle that needs the fob.


Why, it was already demonstrated it does not impair your ability to use the vehicle.
Really?

"I have had a dead fob battery or near dead and the car does NOT start. Message, "keyless not detected" comes up. I just recently had to replace the batteries to both my fobs to the SUV."

Personally I fail to see the usefulness of the silly pushbutton/fob combination. Just one more thing to go wrong, and it adds nothing of real value.

My step-son has a bike with the fob, and he has started the bike then forgetfully put the fob down and rode away. He discovered it a hundred miles later when he filled up and couldn't start the bike since the fob was sitting in his garage back home. Handy, really handy.
Howard and Peggy

"Don't Panic"

Bedlam
Moderator
Moderator
None of my trucks have had fobs, but the last two cars have - Neither of those cars could be configured/ordered without one. For me, it is still a complexity and insecurity that is not outweighed by the convenience of the device.

Host Mammoth 11.5 on Ram 5500 HD

mich800
Explorer
Explorer
fj12ryder wrote:
Another useless "feature" that makes me glad I don't have a vehicle that needs the fob.


Why, it was already demonstrated it does not impair your ability to use the vehicle.

fj12ryder
Explorer III
Explorer III
Another useless "feature" that makes me glad I don't have a vehicle that needs the fob.
Howard and Peggy

"Don't Panic"

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
Replace your FOB batteries once a year when you replace your smoke detector batteries.

Battery is a 2032 for this style FOB.

2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD

Bedlam
Moderator
Moderator
I just replaced the batteries in my mother's car - Hers at least warned that the battery was weak. They typically use 2025 or 2032 batteries which are common at any drug store under $5/ea or can be ordered on line for $1/ea.

Host Mammoth 11.5 on Ram 5500 HD

mich800
Explorer
Explorer
wanderingbob wrote:
Thanks for your replies , I hope I never have to find out !


I have been in some with a low fob battery (FCA vehicles), and sometimes you actually get a message to use the fob to start rather than fob not present.

One thing I have not tested. If you lock the vehicle with the fob and then open with the key and dead battery on fob, does it set the alarm off.

Super_Dave
Explorer
Explorer
I have had a dead fob battery or near dead and the car does NOT start. Message, "keyless not detected" comes up. I just recently had to replace the batteries to both my fobs to the SUV.
Truck: 2006 Dodge 3500 Dually
Rig: 2018 Big Country 3155 RLK
Boat: 21' North River Seahawk

TenOC
Nomad
Nomad
Learjet wrote:
I pretty sure the owners manual has the procedure for a dead fob battery.


Yes, but the manual of my car is locked in the trunk. . . . 😮
Please give me enough troubles, uncertainty, problems, obstacles and STRESS so that I do not become arrogant, proud, and smug in my own abilities, and enough blessings and good times that I realize that someone else is in charge of my life.

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