# Toyota Avalon - security keys stopped working. Is this easily fixed? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 27, 2015, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toyota-avalon-security-keys-stopped-working-is-this-easily-fixed/723660 "2015-06-27T21:59:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2015, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toyota-avalon-security-keys-stopped-working-is-this-easily-fixed/723660/1 "2015-06-27T21:59:04Z")
My mom’s 2011 Toyota Avalon won’t start because of a security lock. ☹ She’s tried her key and my dad’s key. Nothing has changed. These are the keys the dealer gave them when they purchased the car. My dad’s key has been in a drawer since he passed away in 2012. It’s practically a new key. Is this a common problem with a simple fix? She lives 150 miles away in my old hometown. I’m driving down tomorrow to see what I can do. I’ll take a day off work Mon, and take her to the Toyota dealer if needed. I’m hoping there’s a easy fix. Something I can try Sunday? Will the car have to be towed to the dealer Monday or will bringing them the remote and keys be enough? ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2015, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toyota-avalon-security-keys-stopped-working-is-this-easily-fixed/723660/2 "2015-06-27T22:18:12Z")
If both keys aren’t working it’s the car not the keys. Either the sensor went kaput or there’s a bug in the software. Easy fix but probably not cheap. You might try disconnecting the battery then hooking it back up again. I believe that should force a reboot of all the systems in the car. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2015, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toyota-avalon-security-keys-stopped-working-is-this-easily-fixed/723660/3 "2015-06-27T23:01:46Z")
Good idea, I’ll try disconnecting the battery cables tomorrow. Wait thirty minutes and put them back on. Can’t hurt to try. I sure hope we won’t have to get it towed to the dealer. I’m not sure if mom’s insurance covers tows or not. Especially since this is from her garage. Thank goodness, the car isn’t broke down somewhere on a highway. thanks ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2015, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toyota-avalon-security-keys-stopped-working-is-this-easily-fixed/723660/4 "2015-06-28T18:32:43Z")
Apparently there’s a battery in the box thingy you put in your pocket. We finally found it mentioned in the manual. It’s not easily user replaceable. I’ll bring it by the dealer Mon for a battery change. None of my vehicles have this new tech. Learning new stuff today. ---
**Author:** ![am77494](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d2c977/32.png) [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2015, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toyota-avalon-security-keys-stopped-working-is-this-easily-fixed/723660/5 "2015-06-28T18:33:05Z")
It could be the FOB key battery - check it. There is a manual key you can take out - try that too. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2015, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toyota-avalon-security-keys-stopped-working-is-this-easily-fixed/723660/6 "2015-06-29T02:18:32Z")
Yes the FOB. The case has to be pried opened to replace the battery. My mom wants the dealer to do it because it doesn’t open easily. I might be able to do it, but its her car and I guess the dealer changes these FOB batteries regularly.