Car doesn t recognize the fob to start

[ViperGarageElite]

Anybody know how to get the damn fob to work, tried both fobs no go. Started 2 weeks ago has been on battery tender went or tried to go for first ride this year nothing on the fob works. Trunk or door locks if anybody can help much appreciated thanks

[ViperGarageElite]

Want to let everybody know car sits all winter on a battery tender and voltage checks out fine

[RT SERPENT]

Battery in FOB is likely the culprit. Had the same issue. Just replaced both of mine, then they worked perfectly.

[Bill Pemberton]

Completely agree with RT Serpent as that is exactly what happened with my GTS -- two batteries and both fobs rock, no problem!

[swexlin]

I've recently had this issue start. FYI, my car, for years, has always been on battery tender and hibernation mode. Since last February, get in, and "key not detected" on first two tries to start. Third try, she fires right off. Subsequent restarts are fine. Replacing battery in fob has no affect. Battery in Viper is original, but strong.

Very very weird. Owned the car 5 1/2 years, and she tends to sit weeks at a time, but always on tender,and always in hibernation mode as well. As I said, this only started a couple months ago. A real mystery.

[Bill Pemberton]

Honestly , Swexlin, the battery is likely getting tired and might have a weak cell ( have seen what you are having happen even with ones that were on trickle chargers yet they just are hanging in there). The batteries frankly " SUCK," and, yes, that is a professional term! Getting the amount of years out of yours is considered damn near Guinness Record Territory, haha. Fortunately they have gotten cheaper than they were even a few years back , but hang in there , you may eke out a couple more months --- 6 years of battery life and you are golden, ha,ha.

[ViperGeorge]

Change the FOB batteries. Cheap way to find out. Happened to me with my GTS. Both key FOBs had their batteries die at the same time. If you press the key FOB against the starter button instead of using your finger, it should start.

[ViperGarageElite]

Want to thank everybody its the fob batteries. Whats amazing is i n ever used the second one , whats the chances of both being bad at the same time feel like an idiot i would have never thought both at the same time I think i will play lotto for fun. Thanks again guys one of the reasons I like this board so much!

[Bill Pemberton]

Today planned obsolescence is an exact science, because you are not the Lone Ranger, might went bad at the very same time also. Car would not function with Fob numero uno, so just went an got dos ----- dos does not el worko either. Two batteries later the Snake is alive and well !! They mirror image the car's battery, which loves to go on hiatus regardless if on a trickle charger, hibernation mode, or constant driving, but at least it is all a consistent problem, haha.

[supersnake]

Want to thank everybody its the fob batteries. Whats amazing is i n ever used the second one , whats the chances of both being bad at the same time feel like an idiot i would have never thought both at the same time I think i will play lotto for fun. Thanks again guys one of the reasons I like this board so much!

Another thing that I will mention is don't leave your key fobs in the car or near the car, As I have found out if the fobs are in close proximity of the car they drain the batteries in the fob. Mine will drain them if the fobs in the car for 2 weeks.(Mine is in the Garage) Take them out of the car into the house and they stay good all winter. Summer time does not seem to matter as you are using the car.

[Arizona Vipers]

This happened to me on the grid once, wasted a whole session. LOL. Now I change the batteries often if it needs it or not.

[swexlin]

OP, good to hear. Didn't have my car out this weekend. Maybe I should consider a new battery for the car. Since the dash always tells me now "key not detected" first two times I push the start button.

[Policy Limits]

Glad that's all it was. When it occurred in my GTS the WIN module/ignition had to be replaced

[Topplayer]

This happened to me on the grid once, wasted a whole session. LOL. Now I change the batteries often if it needs it or not.

you can always use the remote to push the start button in. Its a built in fail safe!

[USAFPILOT]

Its supposed to start even with a dead battery if you use the fob to push the start button

[swexlin]

Its supposed to start even with a dead battery if you use the fob to push the start button
THis is correct. Worked for me once years ago when the fob battery was dead.

[Caldermw]

This subject raises an interesting question: does anybody have a "routine" of changing fob batteries on a set schedule and, if so, how often? Mine have died and/or otherwise "acted up," and any time that happens I simply replace the batteries in both fobs and all is right in the world. For as cheap as the batteries are to buy, I may start replacing them once per year on a particular date.

[BSLSK]

Once a year is likely overkill being that these cars are between 3-7 years old. Maybe once every two or three years would be good enough. Depends how often you use it, I guess.

[SilveRT8]

Its supposed to start even with a dead battery if you use the fob to push the start button

Just thinking : Will Arizona remove the battery from the key fob ?????

[ViperGeorge]

Just thinking : Will Arizona remove the battery from the key fob ?????

I think he starts the car and then tosses the FOB out the window.

[ACR Steve]

^^^ lolllllll

[swexlin]

As an update to my situation, car hasn't been out in over a month. Took it in this morning for …. a battery replacement. Interestingly, the fob WAS recognized on first start attempt, and she fired right off. So, new battery in the Viper. And, my tech said the battery in the fob was indeed just about dead - even though I replaced it back in February. They run an "RF" test, and he said it was bad. Weird, as I keep the fob away from the car.

Brought the car home, and put her back on the tender. So new battery will get some love!

[uvbnbit]

what's considered low voltage on the 3v fob battery. I'm having same issues, primary fob battery was 2.8v, replaced it, still didn't recognize. grabbed the spare and it recognized. So I grabbed the spare key (only) today....not recognized. Maybe when I had both fobs in the car, it was enough signal?
alarm won't set, trunk won't release, etc.
I'll replace battery in spare fob and see if that helps.

[ViperPete]

Ive owned my car for 6 years now. FOB batteries only seem to last 2 years or so.

[uvbnbit]

I drove car to work yesterday, 30 miles. Wouldn't set alarm. BUT, when I left to come home 8 hrs later, key was recognized. I need to see if alarm will set. I forgot to check that. Car battery is only 2 years old. Maybe it's just getting weak.
I use hibernation mode at home, probably haven't set the alarm in year or so.

[uvbnbit]

Just checked. Fob will not set alarm or pop open hatch.
Fob Battery was 2.8v, so put in new one, 3.2v. Same result, nothing.
Checked car battery voltage, 12.4. Seems low, 2 year old battery. Super Start Extreme that was in it when bought car.
Thoughts on what to try next? Or fob reset procedures?

[SRT_BluByU]

Make sure the little metsl fingers are tight to the battery. They get finicky and sometimes dont make good contact. You can bent them a little out so they make better contact and use a little dielectric grease to help. Thats easy, quick and cheap check to cross of the list if you havent already.

[uvbnbit]

Make sure the little metsl fingers are tight to the battery. They get finicky and sometimes dont make good contact. You can bent them a little out so they make better contact and use a little dielectric grease to help. Thats easy, quick and cheap check to cross of the list if you havent already.

I did make sure the little metal fingers were out, I'll add some dielectric too. I'll keep playing around with it. with both fobs, troubleshooting.
THanks for input.

[uvbnbit]

I tried to set alarm with each fob this morning, separately and again in close proximity. Neither would set it OR pop open the hatch. I'll put a charger on battery this weekend and see if it's a voltage issue with battery. Could a battery at 12.4v be too weak to function alarm/hatch?

[Steve-Indy]

uvbnbit, 12.4 volts should equal about 50-60% charge...I doubt that it is too low for fobs to function.

Dealer trip may help you determine problem...such as WIN module...or other. They can also test your fobs.

A little more info on this issue:

https://driveviper.com/forums/thread...d-by-the-Viper

[uvbnbit]

uvbnbit, 12.4 volts should equal about 50-60% charge...I doubt that it is too low for fobs to function.

Dealer trip may help you determine problem...such as WIN module...or other. They can also test your fobs.

A little more info on this issue:

https://driveviper.com/forums/thread...d-by-the-Viper

Link wasn't loading, but I think I've read most the "fob" issue threads.
Dealer is what I'm trying to avoid...UGH. They are horrible here. Last resort for sure. And hoping it's not WIN module. Trying everything else first.
Thanks for reply.

[uvbnbit]

tried a few more things.
put charger/tender on car, it's up to 75% charge, but at 14.2v with charger on it. Tried fobs and nothing.
Took it out of hibernation mode, fobs won't open hatch.
Doors won't lock/unlock from buttons on door either.
Am I missing something? maybe a setting in the Uconnect has been changed?
Panic button won't work either.
Really confused at this point. Again, just trying to avoid a trip to dealer.

[uvbnbit]

UPDATE:
Put on charger again. Once it got to 100%, I didn't wait, I removed charger, got in car, it started no problem. Drove about hour, got out, door locks worked, hatch release worked, all seems fine....for now.
Only thing I did different is I had BOTH fobs in my pocket. But, I still think its low battery voltage causing issues.
I'll start using a tender on the 2017 now too. Tender has done wonders for the '98 battery life. I figured the Hibernation Mode would keep battery from getting too weak. I believe owners manual says that mode should be good up to 30 days use?

[swexlin]

UPDATE:
Put on charger again. Once it got to 100%, I didn't wait, I removed charger, got in car, it started no problem. Drove about hour, got out, door locks worked, hatch release worked, all seems fine....for now.
Only thing I did different is I had BOTH fobs in my pocket. But, I still think its low battery voltage causing issues.
I'll start using a tender on the 2017 now too. Tender has done wonders for the '98 battery life. I figured the Hibernation Mode would keep battery from getting too weak. I believe owners manual says that mode should be good up to 30 days use?

I use both tender and Hibernation mode. Winter and summer. Hibernation mode was not quiiiite enough a few years back, when I had to start it on a cold winter morning for service. Took four wheezy tries, LOL. (This was years ago on the original battery). Hibernation mode OK for a couple weeks. Any more than that, just use the tender. Greatly extends battery life.