Key for the newest Crossfire stopped working this week -- cannot lock/unlock doors. (Have not tried to start car, though.) Went to backup key and it worked fine. I suspect dead battery in key fob but before I go to the dealer for new battery + install, I thought I'd ask for a sanity check on my diagnosis. I do have Tom's write up for taking fob apart, but meticulous effort is beyond my patience and I'd rather pay the dealer so if he messes up, he's responsible.

Gripe: I have two keys each for 2005's which both work great. Why would a key for a 2 year newer car fail so soon?

 

May I offer a few suggestions;

1. You can buy new batteries cheaper at Wal-Mart, etc. Check you owners manual for the number for the battery. It is listed in there. It takes 2 of them.
2. Take batteries from any working fob and see if it works. If it is working then replace them. Replace them in pairs.

Hope this helps.

 

In response to your gripe:
Any number of reasons: you use it more; less batteries; weaker batteries etc. etc.

 

I was a little daunted by the steps and care necessary to crack the fob case to get at the batteries. There seems to be real danger of ruining the card. I'd rather pay a little premium and hold the dealer accountable rather than DIY and have to buy a new key for $140.

Or is it easier than I realize?

 

Try to reprogram it. I have had to do it to mine a few times. The batteries are easy to replace. These snips from the service manual should help. It should be a easy fix without having to go to the dealer.

 

It is A LOT easier than you think, unless there are different keys out there.

Simply open your key get your fingers in where the key would be near the end of where the key would be and pull up on the plastic section with no emblem on it (directly below the section with the emblem) it should come right apart, I just did mine in 2 seconds to verify...

Hope this helps friend....

 

You can get a 2-pack batteries for a couple of bucks from Radio Shack.

I just did mine a month ago.

 

You guys are right and I'm an idiot. I read the post about swapping the guts of a key fob and that is complicated. I checked the key case -- the half cover popped off with some gentle finger pressure, giiving me access to the batteries. Thanks.

 

do you have to reprogram the key after new batteries? Mine started the car, but wouldn't operate the keyless entry?

 

I don' tknow. It's my son's car and he is using the backup key. I pointed out it would be wise to get his a$$ down to Walmart and buy the pair of batteries for what, $4, but he'll procrastinate until the other key fails. Then he'll call me for a ride. And I'll do my famous "you have a wrong number" response since I am so pissed off that he says he'll do everything later.

 

I have 2 keys and had the same problem with my key after the car was in the body shop for 4 months. Once i got in the car (working key was locked in it) and started the car with the key that wasnt working it began to work and havent had a problem since.

 

Ok guys need your wisdom and experience on this problem. The key will not go all the way into the door lock (works great in the ignition and gloce box). Took it to a lock smith, thinking something was in the lock, and he found nothing and using a small scope saw nothing. He squirting a solution into the lock without any siccsuc. Said I should take it to a dealer for them to remove the lock and see if any of the small pins and needles were missing.
Any suggestions before I take the door panel off (if I have to remove the door panel is there a link to assist/guide with the task?
thanks

 

Are you the original owner? Has the key worked in the past?I had a trunk emblem that opened up for the trunk key (Boot for you). The chrome kept corroding on the emblem. I had it changed out three times under warranty before I received good one. I know I checked the key on the two doors and trunk when I bought the car new. Eight years later when I tried to open the trunk with the key it did not work in the lock. You never know what could have taken place when you buy a used car. I am sure whoever bought my Riviera could not figure out why the key did not work for the trunk.

 

Third owner, do not know if it ever worked. Both keys stop about a quarter of an inch from going all the way in and it feels like a hard stop (I thought something was in the lock).