Aura XR Key Fob Batt Low

[blurryfingers]

I just bought a used 2007 Saturn Aura XR. Around 80% of the time when I start the car, the DIC displays that the key fob's battery is low. The range on the key fob was fine but I went ahead and replaced the battery with a new one. I still get the same low battery message. Does anyone know how to clear this message or make it stop coming up?

[onefunkar]

does other remote do the same?? also maybe dumb question but does it say key fob battery? maybe it is valve stem battery low. ive seen that one.

[unkle bik]

Originally Posted by onefunkar

does other remote do the same?? also maybe dumb question but does it say key fob battery? maybe it is valve stem battery low. ive seen that one.

valve stem battery?
Can you elaborate on that?

[onefunkar]

when battery in valve stem that reports tire pressure goes low it says so on the d i c...

[unkle bik]

Interesting. You bring up some interesting questions.

Are they a common problem with the TPMS?
Or just a fluke?

Or does this require a replacement with the TpMs stem, or just a replacement of the battery?

Covered under warranty?

[onefunkar]

covered under 3/36k. must replace valve stem (30 to 60dollars depending who you ask).battery should last 7 to 10 years.

[onefunkar]

and it hasnt been a problem i just saw one that had it. prices of sensors have come down and still will in the future. one thing ive learned is no chrome vaqlve stem. the two metals fuse togather and cant get them off. had a customer with an older tundra truck to get new tires. all 4 stems wrecked because couldnt get cap off. 160 dollars each for new one. plus programming. gm has its asdvantages. much cheaper and can program yourself.

[GeoPappas]

We have also been getting the same message for the past few weeks every time we start the car. I believe that the exact message is "KEY FOB BATTERY LOW".

We have two key fobs and we get the message no matter which one we use. I checked the battery voltage on the key fobs and they are fully charged.

We started to get the messages after I "fixed" the key fobs. One key fob wasn't working at all and one was intermittently working. We found that the circuit board inside the key fob had lost contact with some of the solder points. So I soldered all three of the contact points (left, center, and right). I am wondering if I was supposed to solder all three points or just two of them (left and right).

Have you recently repaired your key fob?

[blurryfingers]

Yes, message on DIC is "KEY FOB BATTERY LOW".

I just purchased the car from a private owner. The previous owner told me that her previous key fobs stopped working, and that she replaced them at the dealer, and that ever since she's been getting this battery low message. I'm assuming she might have had the contact points break on her original fobs. The dealer supposedly gave her two new fobs. I checked the solder points when changing the battery and everything appears to be ok.

Both fobs will give me the error. I wonder if its some sort of programming gone awry.

[GeoPappas]

Update: My (engine) battery died today. I got it replaced and ever since I haven't had the "KEY FOB BATTERY LOW" messages. I have only unlocked the doors about a half dozen times with the key fob, so it is probably too early to tell if the new battery is the fix. But it does look promising. Anyway, you might want to get your battery checked to see if it is on the way out. Maybe the messages are an indicator of a failing battery.

[blurryfingers]

Originally Posted by GeoPappas

Update: My (engine) battery died today. I got it replaced and ever since I haven't had the "KEY FOB BATTERY LOW" messages. I have only unlocked the doors about a half dozen times with the key fob, so it is probably too early to tell if the new battery is the fix. But it does look promising. Anyway, you might want to get your battery checked to see if it is on the way out. Maybe the messages are an indicator of a failing battery.

Thanks for the update. I will make sure to check the battery today. If the battery is fine I wonder if disconnecting the battery and reconnecting it would help. Taking the battery out wouldn't require a dealer for radio reprogramming right?

[onefunkar]

key fob battery low means that battery is running low and should be replaced.

[GeoPappas]

Update: I got in the car this morning and noticed that the there was a "KEY FOB BATTERY LOW" message. So the new (engine) battery didn't totally fix the problem.

[greenman]

IIRC I read in the owner's manual that the fob batteries last about 3 years. But my 10 year-old Ford fobs with the exact same Panasonic battery still work without ever being changed. In fact, they have never had any issue at all. Malibus are having the same fob problems, FWIW.

[onefunkar]

think it has to do with...lets see how cheap we can make these fobs..from what i hear changing the battery is generally the end of the fob because it falls apart inside.

[unkle bik]

I don't know why, but Of all the fobs I have owned, this one works the best. It has great range. I was able to access the remote start from two blocks away up two floors, through a window.

The wife's Asstra keyfob barely reaches 30 feet...

[golftango]

You're correct the range is excellent! I can start my car from the 15th floor window of my building and the vehicle is a block away.

However, I just had all three solder points in my fob fail, right at the one year anniversary. Replaced under warranty.

[blurryfingers]

Update on the key fob battery message. Two days ago I tried to install the PXAMG iSimple to get integrated ipod connectivity. Long story short, I couldn't the unit to work correctly, but somehow with all the battery disconnects and restarts the key fob batt low message has disappeared.

[onefunkar]

aura key fobs work fine when they work. just hope you dont need to change the battery. that is where the trouble comes up.

[greenman]

My fob just started misbehaving again. This time in a mall parking lot on Xmas eve. Opened trunk fine, 2 seconds later wouldn't open doors. Split it open, popped out & reseated the battery & it works again. Reminds me of a computer freeze-up. Battery output = 3.16v.