My key fobs will not unlock my car all of a sudden

70

Asked by sandylulynn Jan 14, 2016 at 06:40 PM about the 2000 Subaru Legacy GT AWD

Question type: General

Went out today to go to the store and when I pressed the unlock button on my key fob, nothing happened.  Tried other key fob - same result.  I tried unlocking by the key but wouldn't work.  Noticed later in day I had a door that wasn't shut tight and pushed it closed.  Alarm light is still flashing in car but cannot get in car.  Help anyone???

15 Answers

47,960

Now that all doors are closed and factory alarm is triggered your fob(s) should work. Check with new batteries first. If you have to break into the car the alrm will sound is defeated, allowing key- starting by just inserting and twisting key three times in rapid succession. On the 4th twist the car will start.

10 people found this helpful.
47,960

Well that got jumbled a bit, eh? Use a stiff bent coat-hanger type device to get in between the upper glass and the door frame, holding it gingerly pried open with a wedge (big screwdriver, etc). You'll have to be patient learning to push-pull on the lock button to open it. Try whichever door that has the loosest window, Once door is OPENED alarm should sound. Get in quickly and insert either key, turning quickly 3 times to defeat alarm. Subsequent turning of key will start the Subie. Now get those fob batteries!

4 people found this helpful.
70

Thanks for the help - got car opened and it turns out my car battery is dead - waiting for jump

7 people found this helpful.
270

There is a key inside the fob that will open the door manually. Press the silver button on the back of the fob and pull the key out.

27 people found this helpful.
80

Thank you Alice. We needed your advice today when the car wouldn’t respond to the key. Got it opened with the manual key

8 people found this helpful.
170

Anyone ever had situation where engine is off but power is on and doors are locked, fob and physical key don't work?

11 people found this helpful.
47,960

Uh...no. How can power be on if key won't operate ignition switch? Or is a pushbutton start Limited?

1 people found this helpful.
170

I came home, turned off the car, locked the doors from inside and closed the door. Then noticed the power is still on, so I tried to unlock the car by touching the handle but that didn't work, the tried the buttons on the fob, no go. Then tried to use the physical key to unlock but even that does nothing. So the power is on and I can't get in the car :/

6 people found this helpful.
47,960

How can the physical key not work? It's purely MECHANICAL! Maybe it's for another Subaru, and its fob was reprogrammed for yours?

170

I have no idea. I guess we have to ask the dealer from where we got the car. Turning the key just doesn't do anything. Even though I'm a computer person and I work in IT, that is one of those times that I think that we give more and more power to computers and "smart" devices but then when there is an error or something it compromises the whole thing and we are screwed. Eventually we were able to get in though. I'm not sure why but the car turned itself off an hour later I think and then everything worked again OR I also disabled bluetooth on the phone that was connected to the car but not sure if that was related or not.

20

There is an issue with the manual lock in Subaru outback’s. To fix it the door has to be disassembled or replaced. I detest Subaru’s. They are cheaply made. My 4 year old broke off the sun visor. Too many plastic parts.

2 people found this helpful.
47,960

Sounds like the actuator rod from the lock cylinder is detached. Just remove the inner door panel and look for the loose rod in the door and reattach to its plastic clip.

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