Advanced Keyless Entry & Start issue

[IgoZoom]

In the 27 months and 38k miles that I've had my CX-9, I've only had an issue with the Advanced Keyless Entry & Start feature two times. The first time was more than a year ago and it was immediately following a trip thru an automatic (touchless) car wash. I couldn't lock the doors using the button on the driver's outside door handle. But after re-starting the car, turning it off and firmly closing the door again, it worked fine. It probably had something to do with the high-pressure water jets at the car wash....or that's the story I'm going with. =)

Yesterday, I could not get it work again and when I got back inside the car, the started 'knob' wouldn't turn either. I assumed that the battery in the remote fob was dead but I hadn't seen the low battery warning light come on like it should have. I popped out the 'rescue' key and locked the doors with it and went into the store to do my grocery shopping. But as I returned, the unlock button on the fob worked as did the power liftgate button! When I got in to start it, the knob turned and it started as usual but there was still no low battery warning light on in the instrument panel!?

I changed the battery just to be safe. I also switched out and started using my other fob (which has only been used once or twice) in case the other one is malfunctioning.

On the plus side, at least the 'rescue key' hidden inside the fob is very easy to use. But it still bothers me that either the low battery warning light didn't come on or something else is wrong with the fob....

 

[tex2670]

I've had to replace the fob battery in both my fobs a few times (might be because the cheap batteries I bought on eBay...). The warning light in the IP doesn't always light. I just did this last week--key went dead without any warning, but I knew it was definitely a fob battery issue because the red LED on the fob wasn't lighting when I pressed any button.

 

[IgoZoom]

I've had to replace the fob battery in both my fobs a few times (might be because the cheap batteries I bought on eBay...). The warning light in the IP doesn't always light. I just did this last week--key went dead without any warning, but I knew it was definitely a fob battery issue because the red LED on the fob wasn't lighting when I pressed any button.

I wonder what the longest lasting of brand of battery available in that size is? I've had to replace the battery in each fob once now and I don't even remember what brand name they were. I had to go to Radio Shack (for the first time in....ever to find one to fit and they only sold them in a two-pack, so I had an extra one in my glove compartment to install in the one that recently died.

The fob that I originally used all the time went dead in just 10 months and around 13k miles. My CX-9 had sat on the lot for almost 11 months before I bought it, so age may have played a factor in the battery draining so quickly, I'm not sure. I also reduce the battery life in the fob because I leave it in the car overnight. It's just so much easier since I park in a locked garage with a security system. Apparealntly, the key is constantly 'communicating' with the keyless ignition when it is left in the car all the time and it cuts battery life almost in half.