2001 sub. forester remote won't work properly sets alarm off. key won't open doors.we changed battery in remote. should i try and charge the battery?

If the lock button sticks / you hold it down for so long, I think that will set off the alarm. The key should unlock the door but should also set off the alarm (that I know of) when you open the door. To turn off, you jump in, put the key in the ignition and turn from off to start three times. Here is one thread talking about looking at the internals for breaks or other issues; also, while you have it apart again, try the buttons without the cover on and see if it works with the new battery. If it works, you might add this "araldite" they speak off to fill the space between the button cover and the actual internal switch. http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f75/key-fob-102339/ AND http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f75/remote-key- question-84881/ Also, keep me posted :)

Just a guess but maybe your remote is bad. Do you have another you can try?