When I try to lock or unlock my car with the remote, sometime it works fine the first push, other times I have to push the button 8-10 times to get it to work. When it's being temperamental like this the other buttons (headlights on/off) work fine. Changing the remore battery doesn't help. I've wondered if it's dirt or corrosion in the door mechanism, but there's no noise to indicate it's trying to work when I push the button. I've seen posts for newer cars that there is a receiving unit in the drivers door that may be failing - does mine have this too?
Also I tried to go around the problem and manually lock the car with the key, but nothing happens when I try that.

Submitted by jpbii@yahoo.com on Sun, 03/13/2011 - 22:35

I'd like to thank you too Steven. I also tried your fix and my fob works fine now. Still a little intermittent on the lock button, but when I moved away from the driver door it worked consistatnly. Don't know if that's coincidence or not, but you just saved me the $300.00 the dealership wanted for a replacement!

Submitted by is.grant@ieee.org on Mon, 01/31/2011 - 11:39

Steven - thanks, you were quite correct. Although I'm careful with the remote a surprising amount of moisture and crud had accumulated under the pads. I used brake cleaner spray since that leaves no residue and it worked well, the remote is working normally again.

Submitted by stevejag@sbcgl… on Fri, 01/07/2011 - 15:28

Your problem is most likely moisture and crud under the button pads. Take the battery out and push the circuit board out of the housing, then take the rubber button pad off the board. The under side is probably pretty dirty. Wipe it out and clean it gently with some alcohol, then clean the board contacts with a pencil eraser and reassemble. That will probably do it. If not, there are remote button repair kits available at electronics stores that will repair the little carbon pad on the underside of the buttons.

Good Luck!