2017 Malibu loses communication with fob

[Marcozi]

Batteries plus. I can’t remember the name of the battery, but it’s the same size that came out of it.

Batteries Plus seems to have a good rep. What battery is used in the fob? CR2032?

 

[LeakySeals]

Yeah pretty sure that was it. Because both fobs are doing it I’m pretty sure it’s the receiver. TSB.

 

[JTK]

Hmmm, what kind of battery goes in the fob? Where did you buy the batteries? There have been reports of counterfeit batteries being sold by various retailers. BC the fob worked for a month after installing a new battery before failing, I bet the batteries are counterfeit.

I know Nissan FOBs are super sensitive to proper battery voltage. It's not uncommon to have to swap FOB batteries every 1-2yrs on later model Nissan FOBs and this is with good name brand replacements. It's not uncommon for off-brand replacements to not work right out of the box.

 

[repairman54]

Was it scanned for codes? Receiver communicates with the BCM

 

[mk378]

The same receiver is also used for the tire pressure sensors. TSB notes that a TPMS light and codes are likely if the receiver fails.

 

[LeakySeals]

The same receiver is also used for the tire pressure sensors. TSB notes that a TPMS light and codes are likely if the receiver fails.

I have not seen problems with the TPS sensors yet. They seem to be reporting correctly.

 

[LeakySeals]

Was it scanned for codes? Receiver communicates with the BCM

No codes or pending codes. No enhanced codes.

 

[LeakySeals]

I found a post in a Malibu forum where somebody replaced the receiver and it did not require programming. In prior generations, the receiver was an expensive item. The same part for this 2017 is only $35 so I suspect the actual programming module is somewhere else upstream. So for $35 I may as well give it a try see what happens. Worst case I can put the old one back.

 

[michaelluscher]

If a GM module has a wrench icon, it needs to be programmed with GDS2

The module you're in need of does not

Still, it's key/security related
You may not be writing a calibration to it, but there's probably some handshaking that goes on across the network

Do you know anyone with or have access to GDS2?
The bulletin doesn't mention reprogramming, this module is what the TPM sensors communicate with

I say give it a go, best case scenario you have to do a TPMS relearn
Worst case scenario, you swap your old one back in and take it to someone with appropriate software

Fresh batteries in the keyfobs never hurt anyone

 

[LeakySeals]

If a GM module has a wrench icon, it needs to be programmed with GDS2
View attachment 287611
The module you're in need of does not
View attachment 287610

Still, it's key/security related
You may not be writing a calibration to it, but there's probably some handshaking that goes on across the network

Do you know anyone with or have access to GDS2?
The bulletin doesn't mention reprogramming, this module is what the TPM sensors communicate with

I say give it a go, best case scenario you have to do a TPMS relearn
Worst case scenario, you swap your old one back in and take it to someone with appropriate software

Fresh batteries in the keyfobs never hurt anyone

Thanks for this! I finally found the RPO codes. They were in the spare tire wheel well in the trunk. Says XL8 so ordering 13540045.

 

[LeakySeals]

Update: replacing the receiver module resolved the problem. No programming was required, and it behaves differently when you push the fob buttons. Very quick to respond and the range is much further. Thanks again for the help.