Key fob is eating through batteries like no tomorrow

[Jason Spaceman]

I have a 2008 Mazdaspeed 3. For the past 3 or 4 months both key fobs have been burning through batteries. The last battery I purchased (Duracell, CR1620) was dead after only two weeks of use.

I tried using the other key fob, but it too uses up batteries fairly quickly.

I stopped buying batteries for both fobs and just stick the key in the door to lock/unlock the car. But is there anyway to fix this and get the remote lock/unlock working properly again?

The last time I had a fresh battery in one of the fobs I noticed a tiny orangish/reddish LED light lit up on the white plastic part of the fob that separates the lock and unlock buttons. This is the first time I noticed this. I get the sense that that isn't supposed to happen if everything is working OK.


Thanks,
Jason

[Booter22]

could it be just a bad run of bad batteries? have you only used duracells? there should be a light that goes on when the buttom is pressed on the fob.

[TheMAN]

light should not come on when the buttons aren't pressed

[stevenma188]

My guess, one of the buttons is stuck on the fob, so it's constantly transmitting, hence why you keep going through batteries.

[Punkrockjohn]

My guess, one of the buttons is stuck on the fob, so it's constantly transmitting, hence why you keep going through batteries.

+1

[peterm15]

My guess, one of the buttons is stuck on the fob, so it's constantly transmitting, hence why you keep going through batteries.

My first thought. But both fobs are doing it.

[stevenma188]

Well the LED on the fob should only be lighting up when the remote is transmitting.....

[peterm15]

Well the LED on the fob should only be lighting up when the remote is transmitting.....

I know. You are most likely right. It just seems extra odd that both fobs are at it. unless there has been something common among the 2 ( maybe he works in damp conditions.)

Is there a possibility that you aren't using the proper battery?
Has there been water damage or anything of the such.
I would open them up and clean them with alcohol.

[Jason Spaceman]

The last time I had a battery in one of the fobs the LED light was lit up all the time, not just when I press the lock or unlock buttons.

I'm certain I'm using the proper batteries. The manual recommends CR1620 and that is what I bought.

Could the problem be with the car? I assume there is some sort of receiver in the car that listens for signals from the key fob. Does it just listen for lock & unlock signals, or is it in constant communication with the key fob when the car is operating?

[TheMAN]

if the button's contacts are bent out of shape, it's possible that it's causing the "constant button press" problem... this can happen over time and/or buttons pressed too hard