Key fob not working in cold weather only in the morning

[russell...@gmail.com]

So I've recently started to have a problem with getting my key fob to unlock my car (2017 Subaru Outback) when it is extremely cold out and my car has been sitting overnight. This has only started to occur within the last two days and only is an issue in the morning after my car has sat outside overnight.

I can get the car unlocked using my key and it starts and performs perfectly normal in every other way. I am also able to lock my car with the key fob without any issue after it has been driven. The fact that once the car heats up the key fob has no issue makes me think it is an issue internal to the car and not the key fob.

However, what doesn't make sense to me is that I have been able to use the key fob to unlock my car after being at work and having my car sit outside for about 8 hours. The key fob even works from an extended distance so it doesn't seem like it is a issue with the battery within the key fob (I've also only had the car since September '16 so I would think the key fob battery would last longer than that).

I don't have a remote start option and the key fob looks like this: https://www.denver-locksmith.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Subaru-Outback-key-fob-e1505426823803.jpg

Any help would be appreciated

[Darryl Johnson]

My "totally without any mechanical knowledge" guess would be that
somewhere in the door lock mechanicals, something involved with the
locking/unlocking pieces is freezing and the motors that should move
it are unable to overcome the resistance.

Other than opening the door(s) and checking all the moving parts of
the locking mechanism, I don't know what you might be able to do about it.

[Frank]

Don't know if it has anything to do with it but car battery capacity
might drop 20-30% in cold weather even if the battery is new. A double
push of the open switch might be tried to see if other doors are opened.
Then it might be related to mechanical. I think if none open then it
might be battery related.

[Your Name]

They can also break without your knowledge.

I returned to my Nissan one day to find the passenger door was
unlocked. Testing with the alarm / central locking remote proved the
door simply wasn't lokcing, even though there was the usual 'clunk' and
the indicator lights flashed. Locking it using the internal button or
the key in the outside keyhole still worked. I had to get the passenger
door central locking motor replaced. That was quite a few years ago,
but now it's starting to play up again.

My mother recently bought a near-brand new, ex-demo VW and when she got
it home I was testing the remote and noticed that none of the doors
would lock, again even though it did 'clunk' and flash the indicator
lights. It went back to the dealer and they had to replace the door
lock mechanism (necessitating a week long wait for parts to arrive from
Singapore!).

Simple Fact: NEVER reply on silly remotes (nor central locking from
the driver's side keyhole) to actually lock you car's
doors. ALWAYS double-check manually that they have
indeed been locked.

[Russell Grimm]

Update: The issue is not the battery in the key fob. I replaced it last night but the car still would not respond to the key fob this morning. However, after driving to work I was able to lock the car with the key fob. Seems the issue is something within the car that is not working when the car has sat for awhile or is very cold.

[Frank]

On 1/12/2018 8:44 AM, Russell Grimm wrote:

> Any Update: This morning was much warmer than prior days and the key fob worked without any issue. It's pretty clear to me that this is an issue with something in the car itself and it is not operating when it gets too cold. I'm bringing the car in to the dealership for some regular maintenance so I will be making them aware of this issue and hopefully they can figure out what needs to be fixed.
>
Is the problem just one door?

[Your Name]

On 2018-01-11 14:36:24 +0000, Russell Grimm said:
>
> Update: The issue is not the battery in the key fob. I replaced it last
> night but the car still would not respond to the key fob this morning.
> However, after driving to work I was able to lock the car with the key
> fob. Seems the issue is something within the car that is not working
> when the car has sat for awhile or is very cold.

The problem will almost certainly be the small motor inside the door
that is part of the central locking system. Either it's starting to
fail or is simply too cold. Either way, after warming up a bit it then
works again, but if it's still doing it as the weather gets warmer,
then it will need to be replaced (or you simply keep using the normal
key in the keyhole to unlock and lock the car).

My Nissan's passenger door lock worked intermittently as well, before
the motor finally failed permanently and had to be replaced (at the
moment the second appearence of this problem, about 10 years years
after the first, is still in the intermittent phase). I have also had
the same issue with the motor to raise / lower the radio antenna
further back on the same passenger side of the car, again I have had it
repaired once some years ago and it's now starting to show the problem
again. I have had the car for 20 years, so no surprise some wear 'n'
tear issues reoccur.

[Your Name]

The similar problem on my mother's VW was caused by the motor on one
dorr (the driver's door), but it stopped ALL the other doors,
boot/trunk, and petrol cover from locking as well.

[Ben Jammin]

I'm not sure anybody has asked this question so I will: Is your key fob
kept in a warm place overnight or in a cold place such as an unheated
"mud room"?

[bosco]

replying to russell.grimm22, bosco wrote:
It's not the car. The problem is with the key fob. If it is warm it will work.
If it is cold, it will not. Keep it in a warm place, like a trouser pocket.

--
for full context, visit https://www.motorsforum.com/subaru/key-fob-not-working-in-cold-weather-only-in-the-morning-59848-.htm

[Your Name]

On 2019-05-30 12:18:02 +0000, bosco said:
> replying to russell.grimm22, bosco wrote:
> It's not the car. The problem is with the key fob. If it is warm it will work.
> If it is cold, it will not. Keep it in a warm place, like a trouser pocket.

Ahhh, the on-going ridiculousness of new-fangled gadgetry designed to
appease the lazy-asses. Give me a normal key any day.

[John Varela]

On Thu, 30 May 2019 12:18:02 UTC, bosco
<065b0505594b06f549...@example.com> wrote:

> replying to russell.grimm22, bosco wrote:
> It's not the car. The problem is with the key fob. If it is warm it will work.
> If it is cold, it will not. Keep it in a warm place, like a trouser pocket.

Maybe it needs fresh batteries?

--
John Varela

[John McGaw]

Certainly the first thing to try -- it is both cheap and easy.

[Wade Garrett]

Some of those fobs and keys are just about impossible to open, no matter
how extensive your collection of watchmaker tools and dental picks ;-)

--
Ever notice the shortage of "armed law-abiding citizen” victim tragedy
stories in the news?

[John McGaw]

On 5/31/2019 7:50 AM, Wade Garrett wrote:
> On 5/30/19 8:06 PM, John McGaw wrote:
>> On 5/30/2019 7:00 PM, John Varela wrote:
>>> On Thu, 30 May 2019 12:18:02 UTC, bosco
>>> <065b0505594b06f549...@example.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> replying to russell.grimm22, bosco wrote:
>>>> It's not the car. The problem is with the key fob. If it is warm it
>>>> will work.
>>>> If it is cold, it will not. Keep it in a warm place, like a trouser
>>>> pocket.
>>> Maybe it needs fresh batteries?
>>>
>>
>> Certainly the first thing to try -- it is both cheap and easy.
>
> Some of those fobs and keys are just about impossible to open, no matter
> how extensive your collection of watchmaker tools and dental picks  ;-)
>

Could be that the one in question is especially difficult but I've had no
problem with the dongle/key for my '08 OB and my '06 MX-5 and a couple of
others I've changed for friends and neighbors. Haven't had to do anything
with my '18 OB's dongle. A glance at the vehicle's owner's manual should
give some good clues as to the difficulty but often the only requirement is
a tiny Phillips screwdriver.

I do have the requisite tools and have been working on electronics for
decades so maybe it just looks easier than it is to me. Dongles are far
less scary than changing, for example, a glued-in battery in a mobile which
was designed to be as difficult as possible.

[Wade Garrett]

I'm with you on that. Years back, I replaced the batteries in two model
4S iPhones. The thick slabs of glue holding them in was very difficult
to defeat.

--
Nigerian authorities found a man dead in his apartment along with 16
billion dollars stored there. Apparently he had been trying to give it
away for over 10 years... but no one would return his emails.

[wils...@gmail.com]

I am having the same problem with my Monte Carlo. I have changed the battery to the Fob and a new battery in the car, it still does the same thing. Will not unlock the door after a cold overnight. I researched it and found that the lock actuators may be going bad so I planed on replacing them. They are relatively inexpensive - HOWEVER, investigating it more, I realized that not only do the locks not unlock after a cold night, the lights don't flash as they usually do. I haven't checked the trunk operations yet but I will in the morning. So, my conclusion is that it's unlikely to be the door lock actuators because both door locks going out at the same time and the lights don't flash when I push the Fob repeatedly. I called the dealer and they had no idea. So if you find an answer, I'd appreciate a heads up.

[Your Name]

Could be the car's battery itself needs replacing. See near the3 end of
this short topic:
<https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c5-tech/2189606-key-fob-does-not-work-in-cold-weather.html>


Batteries and electronics do not like cold weather, so if the car's
battery is failing it will be worse in cold weather. Just yet abother
reason why lazy jkey fob systems are a ridiculous idea and why you
should ALWAYS have a proper key and keyholes.

[Barbera Tijger]

Op zondag 25 oktober 2020 om 04:36:13 UTC+1 schreef 482lost:

> Might be electronic interference. I have a 2008 OB that, when remote started but sometimes just sitting off as well, will give me trouble opening the doors but will open eventually after I keep pressing the button for a time. I read Subaru added defenses against hacking where the receiver shuts down briefly if it detects excess signals. I think these remotes operate on 433 which would put them in the CDMA band I think. Cell phones and/or maybe WiFi could be part of the reason. My car specifically also seems to maybe have a tracker in it as I can detect a signal coming from it using a cheap scanner I got, comes from around the front passenger side and only active when the engine is running. Probably left over from previous owner or dealer since I got it used and with only one fob, meaning it might have been a repo.
>
> Regardless, the point is that interference might be why you have trouble at home but not at work. At home there are dozens of other people who all have cellphones and wifi in a small area triggering the car's defenses. At work, there is practically nothing. By the sounds of it you park it outside so maybe in a parking lot away from most electronic signals, right? That would explain why it works one place but not at home. Just my theory on the matter though. Still could be a bad part in internally too but warranty should cover it. Not sure if it's still valid after 3 years though.

[Barbera Tijger]

Op zondag 25 oktober 2020 om 04:36:13 UTC+1 schreef 482lost:
> On Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at 11:19:30 AM UTC-5, russell...@gmail.com wrote:

[Barbera Tijger]

I have the same problem with a nearly new booght car. But I read here not the issue I have and I think it is.
My Keyless Entry Remote does not work in the cold morning special when my car is wet from rain and the morning.
I can not start my motor than because of a whole other reason as here described. My Remote does work but there is a problem with the Keyless remote receiver which does not receive my remote signal when the car is cold. This is very difficult because my motor does not start because of the safety circuit which only gives fuel free till 20 seconds after a Remote open doors signal.
So my issue is the my Keyless Remote receiver does not work the first 5 till 10 minutes I try.
After long enough trying suddenly one of the functions of my RC work and after one or 2 minutes trying the door open signal happens.
As I start my motor than till 20 seconds after signal....everything starts working.
I was starting to clean all my relais contact, but because of the new car......all is shining as new....
Now to look for the Keyless Remote Receiver. Mostly they are lokated between the rear speakers. I hope to find it
So.............my keyless entry does not work.......because the Remote receiver does not work at cold.....

[barbietijger]

Haha now I found where the problem must be.
Ofcourse it is the Keyless Entry Receiver......by GM called also RFA Remote Function Actuator. It has the partnumber GM 15732806. It should be in all Alero's 1999-2004 but I do not believe that.
Because the BCM unit show from 2001 up shows a internal aerial so I believe the receiver is from 2001 up integrated in the BCM box.
As I have now a new Alero 2000 this has a completely different BCM without aerial.
See here the uploaded pictures with intresting information and the locaton of the receiver.........at last......
https://www.motorsforum.com/img/zp
https://www.motorsforum.com/img/zr
https://www.motorsforum.com/img/zt
https://www.motorsforum.com/img/zv
https://www.motorsforum.com/img/zx

--
For full context, visit https://www.motorsforum.com/subaru/key-fob-not-working-in-cold-weather-only-in-the-morning-59848-.htm

[barbietijger]

Again Haha....again yhis morning my unit did not work. Opened the trunk. Did put 2 seconds hot air in the middle of the console.......and see my problem is solved.... but I have now to open the rear speaker console because in between you can find the unit. It will not be faulty, but needs attention, cleaning contacts and printed circuit board I think.....

[Key fix]

When the fob itself reaches cold temps below freezing is likely when the problem occurs. Nissan key fobs in particular have this same issue, I manage a valet parking company when temps dip below freezing just about every Nissan key fob stops working. The quick fix is to heat the fob up somehow once it reaches a certain temp it will work as if the problem was non existent. It may be a indication the battery is low but without fail just about every Nissan. Fob has this problem in the cold. Haven’t experienced it much with Subaru but my guess is it’s the same issue. Bad design flaw

[Your Name]

On 2021-01-24 01:31:50 +0000, Key fix said:
>
> When the fob itself reaches cold temps below freezing is likely when
> the problem occurs. Nissan key fobs in particular have this same issue,
> I manage a valet parking company when temps dip below freezing just
> about every Nissan key fob stops working. The quick fix is to heat the
> fob up somehow once it reaches a certain temp it will work as if the
> problem was non existent. It may be a indication the battery is low
> but without fail just about every Nissan. Fob has this problem in the
> cold. Haven't experienced it much with Subaru but my guess is it's the
> same issue. Bad design flaw

Every piece of battery-driven and/or electronic device is affected by
the temperature - cold and heat. Key fobs and central locking motors
are no different, and every make and model can have problems. Just one
of the many reasons why key fobs are ridiculously stupid idea, and cars
should *ALWAYS* have a normal key operations as at least an alternative
for the doors and ignition.

[Brent]

I’m having a similar issue, was there a final answer?

[Your Name]

On 2022-12-05 14:45:03 +0000, Brent said:

> I'm having a similar issue, was there a final answer?

The "final answer" is that electronics simply do not like very cold (or
very hot) weather, which makes the whole idea of these keyfobs
ridiculously silly. Just yet another idea that some fool came up with,
but didn't think through properly and rushed into production. :-\

*ALL* cars should have a proper key to open doors and trunk, and to
start the car!!

It's also another reason why electric cars are also a stupid idea and
not the "saviour of the planet".