Re: Engine Immobilizer and Key Battery

On 6/3/2020 7:34 PM, Wade Garrett wrote:
> On 6/3/20 5:56 PM, Darryl Johnson wrote:
>> On 2020-06-03 5:07 p.m., Wade Garrett wrote:
>>> Got a 2017 Forester with remote keyless entry but NOT push button start.
>>>
>>> If the battery in the key cap drains so low that the key push buttons 
>>> won't lock/unlock the door, can the engine still recognize the 
>>> immobilizer chip in the key and still start/run?
>>
>> When the battery in my Audi's key got too low, the car started, but 
>> wouldn't keep running. Plus I couldn't use the remote to lock/unlock 
>> the doors.
>>
>> Fortunately, it was a simple job to replace the button battery in the 
>> fob.
>>
>> Obviously, an Audi is not a Subaru, and things may well be completely 
>> different, but I wouldn't take the Subie too far away from alternate 
>> transport until you get that battery replaced if I were you.
> 
> Mine isn't a fob. It's a metal key you insert into the ignition switch 
> on the steering column and twist to start the car.
> 
> It looks like an ordinary key but with a big plastic head that has lock, 
> unlock and emergency horn-blow buttons and a button battery inside.
> 
> I guess my question really is does the immobilizer system require the 
> key battery to still have a charge...

I was told not to cut off the big chunk of plastic or grind down the 
plastic on the valet key which I like to carry in my wallet.  It also 
has the chip but there is no battery so I imagine if battery is dead in 
remote it will still start the car.