FOBIK Issue:Fob will unlock, lock, and remote start, but will not work in the ignition

[alabamabob]

I drove to a gas station today, filled up, and got back in my truck (2013 Ram Big Horn Crew Cab- 5.7L Hemi). The truck would not start. No crank, no dash lights, no radio, nothing. I figured it was a sudden dead battery. However, I tried the Fobik key and it would still unlock and lock, and the truck would start remotely.

I got in the truck with the engine on (from the remote start) and inserted the key. It would not recognize that there was a key in the ignition, which meant that I could not go anywhere. I had someone bring me my spare key and it started right up.

Anyone ever had anything similar happen? Key all of a sudden stops working like that?

 

[Daw14]

Battery in fob is bad.

 

[alabamabob]

The Fob is still unlocking, locking, and remote starting, though. All it is not doing is being recognized by the truck.

 

[t0ymach1n3]

It sound like either the ignition might be going out or possibly the RF hubs ability to communicate with the ignition. Have you scanned the truck for any active DTC's?

 

[alabamabob]

It sound like either the ignition might be going out or possibly the RF hubs ability to communicate with the ignition. Have you scanned the truck for any active DTC's?

I have not yet. I have a code reader at the house, but I am still at work.

 

[t0ymach1n3]

I'd start there. If there is something wrong, not working or on the fritz, that reader will give you the best chance of finding out what it is and fixing it.

 

[alabamabob]

I'd start there. If there is something wrong, not working or on the fritz, that reader will give you the best chance of finding out what it is and fixing it.

Just checked. No codes. I am going to check a couple of other things. I looked back at the carfax from when I bought it and there was a note about the previous owner having the keys reprogrammed. Maybe that is just an intermittent issue with this one for some reason.

 

[alabamabob]

I took the WIN module off, blew it out, and cleaned it with contact cleaner. Still no dice. I also changed the battery in the remote just to rule that out. Still did not fix it. Also disconnected the truck battery to see if a reset would help.

Looks like it may be the chip in the key. I have ordered two additional Fobix keys, so I will just have a locksmith program those and see if they can reprogram the bad one.

 

[crash68]

Battery in fob is bad.

Neither style of remote needs the battery to start the truck. Even the push button start trucks, you use the remote to push the start button if the battery dies in the remote.

There's a problem with the WIN module recognizing that particular keyfob.

 

[dakotakid846]

Ever figure it out??

 

[MJCs18Diesel]

With my 2018 Diesel, I had a very similar problem. Primary FOB works correctly. Back up fob now has a new battery, will lock and unlock the truck, but when I put the key in to start the truck, in the past three weeks, it would occasionally start the truck. But now, the dash remains dark, and turning the key to start, truck will not crank. However the other remote will start the truck. Battery was new, still in a package, but I don't know how long ago I purchased the batteries the last time I put a new battery in the other remote. Battery measured 3.3 something volts when measured with DVM (no load). This same FOB will remote start the truck correctly, but the system does not recognize the key FOB when put in and turned to run. Does a "dead" FOB battery cause the FOB program to go dead? Is there away I can reprogram the FOB, or does a dealer have to reprogram the FOB. Thanks in advance.