2017 Malibu loses communication with fob

[LeakySeals]

2017 Malibu with only 20K. Randomly loses communication with the fob, locking you out or preventing engine from turning on (or off). The back up fob does the same thing at the same time. I found a TSB that matches the problems and it says to replace the “remote control door lock receiver”.. There is an updated receiver.

Will the replacement receiver require programming or is it plug and play?

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

Remember when life was simple and we just had a key that never lost communications and you could replace it for a couple bucks. Technology has certainly brought us a long ways.

 

[JTK]

Dumb question, but have you replaced the batteries in both?

 

[dishdude]

My guess is it will need to be paired to the vehicle using an advanced scan tool.

 

[Astro14]

Typically the receiver and the fobs require programming. They are all “theft relevant” so they are uniquely coded to the ECU (or however GM manages access).

 

[LeakySeals]

Dumb question, but have you replaced the batteries in both?

When this first happened I only had one fob. Replaced the battery and then it happened again after a month. Purchased a second fob and had it programmed thinking there might be a problem with the original fob. A month after that they both stopped working at the same time. So I’m pretty confident it’s not the fobs or the batteries.

 

[zzyzzx]

Remember when life was simple and we just had a key that never lost communications and you could replace it for a couple bucks. Technology has certainly brought us a long ways.

It's now around $5 instead of $2 for Home Depot to make a new key for my 1999 Oldsmobile.

 

[zzyzzx]

Will the replacement receiver require programming?

Don't know. But it sounds like you have nothing to lose at this point my trying. Also, if you can confirm that it requires programming, can that be done by the vendor if you send them your VIN? I've seen that done with other parts.

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

It's now around $5 instead of $2 for Home Depot to make a new key for my 1999 Oldsmobile.

Still beats the starch out of a few hundred for a New Fob!

 

[LeakySeals]

This is the TSB. It does not mention programming why I wasn’t sure if this was just a “dumb” receiver box.
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2017/MC-10116548-9999.pdf

 

[zzyzzx]

Still beats the starch out of a few hundred for a New Fob!

I mail order FOB's from northcoastkeyless and program them with Forscan. The most expensive one I have ever bought there was I think $105, and the rest a lot less. One was OEM new, one was OEM used, and another all I could get was a quality aftermarket.

 

[Astro14]

The receiver itself may not require programming. It may be the ECU, or one of the central computers that has to be programmed to the fob, and the receiver simply, well, receives the signal..

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

I mail order FOB's from northcoastkeyless and program them with Forscan. The most expensive one I have ever bought there was I think $105, and the rest a lot less. One was OEM new, one was OEM used, and another all I could get was a quality aftermarket.

Only a hundred dollars more than a key now that is a bargain!

 

[zzyzzx]

I found a TSB that matches the problems and it says to replace the “remote control door lock receiver”.. There is an updated receiver.

Link to TSB please!

 

[Jetronic]

Typically the receiver and the fobs require programming. They are all “theft relevant” so they are uniquely coded to the ECU (or however GM manages access).

typically the codes are stored in the body computer, but don't know how the Malibu does it. It could very well be just relaying the received code to the Body computer.

 

[LeakySeals]

Link to TSB please!

I posted it in the comments. I can post it again if the link doesn’t work

 

[zzyzzx]

I posted it in the comments. I can post it again if the link doesn’t work

It worked. I was thinking that it might include instructions.

 

[ls1mike]

I think for GM stuff it is the BCM. My T10 can do some of them, not all of them.

 

[Marcozi]

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.

 

[LeakySeals]

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.

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