Experiencing issues with your key fob, especially with features like touchless door unlock and remote start, can be incredibly frustrating. Imagine relying on the convenience of your key fob, only to find it’s not responding as expected when you need to get into your car or start it remotely. This can be particularly concerning with modern vehicles that depend heavily on electronic systems.
One common issue reported by vehicle owners involves problems with remote start and key fob responsiveness. For instance, some Chrysler Pacifica owners have encountered situations where the remote start fails to engage, even when inside the vehicle. One user described a peculiar workaround involving the panic button: pressing it and then pressing it again seemed to somehow reset the system and allow the engine to start.
This particular case highlights a potential problem related to the vehicle’s auxiliary battery and the Engine Stop-Start (ESS) system. Reports indicate that dealerships have faced backorders on auxiliary batteries for these systems, suggesting a widespread issue. Owners are left wondering if a failing auxiliary battery is not only impacting the ESS functionality but also contributing to key fob related problems like inconsistent remote start. The inability to remotely start the vehicle from a distance, a feature often touted as a major selling point, becomes a significant inconvenience.
Further complicating matters, there are reports of ESS systems failing in other ways, such as causing engine stalls at intersections and then failing to restart. This suggests a broader potential issue with the electronic systems controlling engine management and related features like remote start and keyless entry.
Another aspect to consider when troubleshooting key fob issues is the key fob battery itself. Intermittent problems, such as inconsistent range for remote start or touchless entry, can often be traced back to a weak key fob battery. One owner noted experiencing drastically different key fob performance on different days – sometimes starting the vehicle from a significant distance, and other times struggling to get a response even when standing right next to the car. Replacing the key fob battery resolved these intermittent issues, suggesting that battery degradation, even if not completely depleted, can lead to unreliable performance.
While external factors like radio frequency interference are sometimes mentioned as potential causes for key fob problems, the consistency of issues across different environments and the positive impact of battery replacement points towards the key fob battery as a more likely culprit in many cases of range and responsiveness problems.
In conclusion, if you’re experiencing issues with your “Town & Country” (or similar vehicle) key fob, particularly concerning touchless door unlock or remote start, consider these troubleshooting steps:
- Check your key fob battery: This is the simplest and often most effective first step. A low battery can lead to a variety of intermittent and range-related issues.
- Investigate ESS system problems: If your vehicle has an Engine Stop-Start system, issues with the auxiliary battery or the system itself might be impacting key fob functionality. Consult your dealer if you suspect ESS problems, especially if you also experience issues with engine starting or stopping in general.
By systematically addressing these potential causes, you can often resolve frustrating key fob issues and restore the convenience of features like touchless entry and remote start.
