Hi,

I have a 99 camry csi and until recently it was fine. However, yesterday I went to unlock the car with the remote and discovered that it wasn't working. I unlocked the drivers door with the key and it locked itself a fraction of a second after I unlocked it. Eventually I moved quick enough to open the door handle before it locked itself and got access to the car. As soon as I inserted the key into the ignition it went mental, screeching its horn and flashing its lights.


I took it to a dealer and they said I needed a new remote, which they sold me, but when they tried to program it they were unable to.

Hence, I have two problems -

1. Is there an explanation and a cure for this insane self-locking mechanism?

2. Can I program my new remote without going back to the dealer?


I would really aprreciate any assistance on these issues.


Thanks so much guys.


Cheers,


Joel

 

u still have ur old remote right.....have u try to replace battery on ur old remote .....

 

There are no screws or anything on the actual remote. I dont know how to acess its insides. Should I just break it down the middle?

 

Basically that's what you do. To save money they use a snap edge on the sides instead of screws. If you look at the side of the remote there should be a small space that runs around the whole remote. Usually in the middle of either side there is a little lip inside that locks into a notch on the opposite side. Using a medium size blade screw driver slide the blade in the slot and twist GENTLY. Don't force it. Slight pressure in on the side when you twist will release the locking tabs just enough to split the case. Hold onto the remote securely because if the screw driver slips the remote will probably go flying. BE PATIENT. Keep working on it. I've worked on a few of these remotes and because of their size it can be difficult but I know that it can be done and you can do it. After you have it open you can go to a Radio Shack, an auto electronics store, or the dealership and they should have the batteries that you need. The dealer probably just didn't want to get involved trying to open the remote up. I have and have had about 7 or 8 Toyotas that have had alarms and all the remotes have been different but they all have batteries and they can and need to be replaced at one time or another.

I hope this helps. Try it yourself. And hopefully this will cure the problem.

 

I just bought a 2000 Camry that had exactly the same symtoms. I traced it down to a faulty remote start system (aftermarket). I cut all the wires from it that were tied into the vehicle and everything works with the pdl now.No parts were required to fix the problem. If you have a remote starter installed in your car look there before spending big $$$$ at a Toyota dealership. Good luck.