remote keyless entry not working

Sandman · 12-10-2008, 11:08 AM

Just picked up a 99 4runner came with 2 sets of keys both with remotes, but they don't work at all. The remote unit has 3 buttons; 1 for doors, 1 that has a '*' (asterix), and 1 for the rear window/door. The red light on the remotes come on -batteries are good. Where do I begin to troubleshoot this?

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AP4CHE · 12-10-2008, 11:47 AM

Change the batteries... Just because the lights come on doesn't mean it has enough juice to function properly.

An overhead crane in the uranium mill I work in quit working. The lights on the remote came on so no one checked the batteries. $200,000 was spent flying a company from the states up to test and overhaul it. Batteries were bad in the remote, $8 problem.

Might not be your problem but it's worth trying before you spend more.

If that's not it for sure maybe try finding out how to reprogram them. If theres no way for you to a good locksmith MIGHT be able to help if not I'm sure the dealership will gladly take your money.

MGP · 12-10-2008, 11:56 AM

Sounds like an aftermarket RKE/Alarm unit. The Toyota factory remotes have a Lock and Unlock button and no LED. Most also have a rear window DOWN button and a red "panic button" on the back.

I'd look under the seats and under the dash for a control unit to see if you can identify the remote unit. If you can identify if it's an aftermarket unit and which exact model then you can probably find some specific troubleshooting info.

Like Apache said, check the battery. Also posting a pic of the remote may help too.

Sandman · 12-10-2008, 12:18 PM

I'll post pics of the remotes tonight and check the batteries.

(do they really install the units under the seats?)

sabre · 12-10-2008, 12:37 PM

new battery worked for me, give it a try

MGP · 12-10-2008, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandman

I'll post pics of the remotes tonight and check the batteries.

(do they really install the units under the seats?)

Sometimes. Sometimes under the dash, sometimes in the engine compartment. I guess what I should have said is "See if you can find an aftermarket remote box". You could have one and it could just be unplugged, have a blown fuse or something simple like that.

I'm pretty sure the 4runner factory keyless entry is part of one of the ECUs. The dealer added option unit probably has a separate ECU that's added at the dealer.

Sandman · 12-10-2008, 07:56 PM

I tried a battery from a working remote and it still didn't work...I will still try to get a new one tomorrow. Here's a pic of the remote:

y2kltdsport · 12-10-2008, 08:30 PM

Sorry , but that is one ugly remote

Elton · 12-10-2008, 08:57 PM

yea id just tear out that old alarm and start over again with a good quality alarm

97ltd4x4 · 12-11-2008, 06:11 AM

Yea,Tear that old alarm out,along with the wiring...and hope they didn't butcher up your wiring harness....Very few aftermarket alarm's stand the test of time..Can/will cause intermittant problems in future...even if the remote does not work....

I hope its not a "gulf states Toyota" alarm/keyless entry..a friend of mine had massive problems with his..untill he ripped it completely out,wires and everything...

Sandman · 12-11-2008, 07:43 AM

I will first have to find it...

Sandman · 12-12-2008, 03:03 PM

can't find any alarm...it's mia...why would the po remove the unit but not take the remotes??

12-10-2008, 11:47 AM	#2 (permalink)
AP4CHE Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Saskatoon, SK Canada Posts: 252	Change the batteries... Just because the lights come on doesn't mean it has enough juice to function properly. An overhead crane in the uranium mill I work in quit working. The lights on the remote came on so no one checked the batteries. $200,000 was spent flying a company from the states up to test and overhaul it. Batteries were bad in the remote, $8 problem. Might not be your problem but it's worth trying before you spend more. If that's not it for sure maybe try finding out how to reprogram them. If theres no way for you to a good locksmith MIGHT be able to help if not I'm sure the dealership will gladly take your money. __________________ '83 pickup - SR5 5spd 22R, currently restoring/modding, future trail rig '99 4runner ltd - auto, e-locker, dd more to come '93 4runner - RIP :( Last edited by AP4CHE; 12-10-2008 at 11:49 AM.

12-10-2008, 11:56 AM	#3 (permalink)
MGP Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Olathe, KS Posts: 6	Sounds like an aftermarket RKE/Alarm unit. The Toyota factory remotes have a Lock and Unlock button and no LED. Most also have a rear window DOWN button and a red "panic button" on the back. I'd look under the seats and under the dash for a control unit to see if you can identify the remote unit. If you can identify if it's an aftermarket unit and which exact model then you can probably find some specific troubleshooting info. Like Apache said, check the battery. Also posting a pic of the remote may help too. __________________ 2001 SR5 4Runner 73K Miles -- She's just a baby... Last edited by MGP; 12-10-2008 at 11:58 AM.

12-10-2008, 12:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
Sandman Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 72	I'll post pics of the remotes tonight and check the batteries. (do they really install the units under the seats?) __________________ 90 4runner 4cyl-5spd, detroit lockers - 5.29 gears,All Pro hd rear coils, 25mm torsion bars, 2" bl,Warn manual hubs, 33s 99 4runner 6cyl auto RIP (hit a deer) 97 4runner V6-5spd 4x4, e-locker with 2wd/4wd mod, isr & airbox elbo mod Last edited by Sandman; 12-10-2008 at 12:20 PM.

12-10-2008, 12:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
sabre Contributing Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Rochester,NY Posts: 770	new battery worked for me, give it a try __________________ '01 SR5 4x4 Millenium Silver Added ♠ Roofrack ♠ Sunroof wind deflector ♠ Ventvisor ♠ Clear corners ♠ Clear turns ♠ Clear bug deflector ♠ Color matched running boards ♠ JVC-KD-SH99 MP3 player deck (Silver of course) Foremost Web Hosting

12-10-2008, 07:56 PM	#7 (permalink)
Sandman Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 72	I tried a battery from a working remote and it still didn't work...I will still try to get a new one tomorrow. Here's a pic of the remote: __________________ 90 4runner 4cyl-5spd, detroit lockers - 5.29 gears,All Pro hd rear coils, 25mm torsion bars, 2" bl,Warn manual hubs, 33s 99 4runner 6cyl auto RIP (hit a deer) 97 4runner V6-5spd 4x4, e-locker with 2wd/4wd mod, isr & airbox elbo mod

12-10-2008, 08:30 PM	#8 (permalink)
y2kltdsport Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Oak Grove, MN Posts: 145	Sorry , but that is one ugly remote __________________ Silver Y2K LTD Runner,OME springs/shocks,cornfed spacers front, rear E- Locker,Factory Scooped,Airbox mod,fog light mod, drl mod,Tundra big brake mod, Brembos,Goodridge S/S lines,Tint, custom TRD decals, 02 tails, Pioneer Avic D3 with reverse cam, MB Quart spkrs, infinity basslink, trucool trans cooler, seat bolt mod

12-10-2008, 08:57 PM	#9 (permalink)
Elton Contributing Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Siletz,Oregon Posts: 10,671	yea id just tear out that old alarm and start over again with a good quality alarm __________________ My Truck 98 4runner SR5 3.4L 5spd 4x4 E-Locker Mods Mom 07 Tundra d-cab limited 5.7L 4x4 auto sister 92 pickup SR5 X-cab 3.0L 5spd 4x4 Papa 89 Pickup SR5 X-cab 4x4 3.0L 5spd/98 4runner SR5 4x4 auto 3.4L R.I.P 91 4runner SR5 4x4 3.0L 5spd Totaled 5/13/06 My Wreck

12-11-2008, 06:11 AM	#10 (permalink)
97ltd4x4 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 434	Yea,Tear that old alarm out,along with the wiring...and hope they didn't butcher up your wiring harness....Very few aftermarket alarm's stand the test of time..Can/will cause intermittant problems in future...even if the remote does not work.... I hope its not a "gulf states Toyota" alarm/keyless entry..a friend of mine had massive problems with his..untill he ripped it completely out,wires and everything...

12-11-2008, 07:43 AM	#11 (permalink)
Sandman Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 72	I will first have to find it... __________________ 90 4runner 4cyl-5spd, detroit lockers - 5.29 gears,All Pro hd rear coils, 25mm torsion bars, 2" bl,Warn manual hubs, 33s 99 4runner 6cyl auto RIP (hit a deer) 97 4runner V6-5spd 4x4, e-locker with 2wd/4wd mod, isr & airbox elbo mod

12-12-2008, 03:03 PM	#12 (permalink)
Sandman Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 72	can't find any alarm...it's mia...why would the po remove the unit but not take the remotes?? __________________ 90 4runner 4cyl-5spd, detroit lockers - 5.29 gears,All Pro hd rear coils, 25mm torsion bars, 2" bl,Warn manual hubs, 33s 99 4runner 6cyl auto RIP (hit a deer) 97 4runner V6-5spd 4x4, e-locker with 2wd/4wd mod, isr & airbox elbo mod

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