[Cjmartin2012]

The battery in my 2014 Challenger SXT went dead from sitting for a few days. So I replaced the battery in the car but now none of the buttons on the key fob work. I replaced the battery in the key fob and still nothing . Panic, door lock/unlock does not work on either fob. But I can start the car with the fob in my pocket. I just cannot figure out what would have caused the fob to not work just by replacing the car battery. Any info would be appreciated. I hope I don’t have to go to a dealer and get screwed with high prices.

 

[A Guy]

Welcome to Challengertalk

Does the car still unlock when your hand is under the handle? This may sound strange, but I'd disconnect the negative battery cable for a 1/2 hour, then reconnect it and see if issue is gone. The likelihood you have an actual hardware failure after only a dead battery is slim. However, if your battery was dead because you have a hardware issue (door or trunk latch?), then it would make sense.

Testing to see if there is a draw on the battery when car is just sitting may lead you to which direction you want to pursue

A Guy

 

[Cjmartin2012]

Yeah the car still unlocks when I grab the door handle. My wife backed my car into a tree and did just enough damage for the trunk to not close. So the light in the trunk stayed on and killed my battery. So I replaced the car battery and pulled the fuse to the trunk light to stop it from killing my battery. But I wouldn’t have thought that would make my key fob not lock/unlock the doors.

 

[Rockster]

Yeah the car still unlocks when I grab the door handle. My wife backed my car into a tree and did just enough damage for the trunk to not close. So the light in the trunk stayed on and killed my battery. So I replaced the car battery and pulled the fuse to the trunk light to stop it from killing my battery. But I wouldn’t have thought that would make my key fob not lock/unlock the doors.

If the damage to the trunk is bad enough the trunk will not close the trunk latch is probably not closed and as A Guy mentioned there is a hardware problem this explains the non functioning lock/unlock behavior.

You need to get the damaged trunk lid repaired so the lid can close -- and seal -- properly that the trunk lid light goes off and of course the latch closes and there is no longer a hardware fault.

 

[Cjmartin2012]

Yeah the trunk is damaged enough that it will not latch. I’m going to the body shop in 2 days for repairs. So when the trunk gets repaired and I put the fuse back in the key fobs should work then? Below is the damage to the trunk.

 

[A Guy]

If the latch was not damaged, I'd think so

A Guy

 

[Cjmartin2012]

The button on the trunk still works cause I can hear it move when I push it. And the latch in the bottom looks fine. I guess it is bent just enough that the two won’t connect together. I hope that will fix my issue. I really don’t want to go to the dealer for reprogramming. That’s ridiculous.

 

[Cuda340]

Yeah the car still unlocks when I grab the door handle. My wife backed my car into a tree and did just enough damage for the trunk to not close. So the light in the trunk stayed on and killed my battery. So I replaced the car battery and pulled the fuse to the trunk light to stop it from killing my battery. But I wouldn’t have thought that would make my key fob not lock/unlock the doors.

Challengers have poor rear visibility. I assume that your car does not have a back-up camera. If you let your wife drive your car, you may want to install one.

My wife has only driven my 2009 SRT once. She is not into cars and is afraid of my car's power. I guess that is a good thing.

 

[DodgeCares]

The button on the trunk still works cause I can hear it move when I push it. And the latch in the bottom looks fine. I guess it is bent just enough that the two won’t connect together. I hope that will fix my issue. I really don’t want to go to the dealer for reprogramming. That’s ridiculous.

Hi Cjmartin2012,
We certainly understand your hesitation with visiting a dealer. If you do end up getting this addressed and are interested in additional assistance, feel free to private message us!
Laura
Dodge Social Care Specialist