door keys won't work

[towerpower]

The title is just a portion of the problem...I'm in a parking lot and approach the car. I hit the 'unlock', nothing. No flashing lights, no sound of locks being released. I check...yep, my car. There's the coffee inside cooling down (15 degrees F). I hit 'lock' and 'unlock' again. Nothing. OK, I insert the key in the lock. It will not turn. NO--it's not a frozen door lock (see later). So I try the trunk release. Nothing. I try the key in the trunk..success. So, I'm in the lot looking around for a cop to explain that I'm going to crawl through the trunk of MY car to unlock the door. No cops, so I do it. I crawl to the front seat, open the door--the alarm goes off. So I start the car and the alarm quits. I go home, get the spare keys and fob. I try the key in the lock first..neither the regular nor the valet key will turn but the fob locks and unlocks the door. Then I try the keys again and THEY ALL WORK IN THE LOCK!! But the original fob still won't work. I go inside and swap batteries to see if it is a battery problem. Both batteries are OK but the original fob still won't work.

So, today...three days later...same thing except that it's the 'good' fob that won't unlock the doors. None of the keys work. So, I hit the 'lock' and get lights and a sound of door locks being activated. Hit unlock, it works. Keys work.

It's a 05LS with keyless entry. (entry codes weren't working originally, but I might have hit wrong entry code so don't take it as gospel).

Oh, the temperature is about 10 degrees F, but I don't think that is a factor.

 

[rickztahone]

sounds like a PITA, sorry i can't be much help. on the upside, it's an 05 and i'm sure you can take it in to wherever you bought it and make them fix it

 

[LS4me]

Sounds like a problem in the security system. As long as you're still under warranty I would take it in.

 

[Papa Alpha]

Update

Well, I certainly think it is an electronic problem. I just went out to 'fill 'er up' (gas is .61 per litre) and in my driveway I hit the lock-door on door panel-not keypad. I very seldom hit the lock on the fob because I hate hearing all the little 'beeps' from all the other cars when in parking lots.....sorry, my rant about people too lazy to use lock vs. fob....anyway, I lock the door. I close the door and insert the key. It will NOT turn. Not left or right. I use the keyless pad (5-digit code) and it unlocks. I put key in and I can lock and unlock door with key. I simultaneously hit the last 2 push buttons and the doors lock. The key won't work. I leave the key in the lock and hit the unlock button on the fob and the key locks and unlocks the door as it should.
By trying all combinations I'm trying to narrow it down to a common problem/solution. But it's 15 degrees out there and I'm getting cold. Service department not open until Monday (holidays), so I guess I'll leave it unlocked until I figure it out.

GRRRR!!!

 

[towerpower]

Fixed

Well...83 people read it and there were no suggestions. Since nobody else has had the problem (no suggestions), I guess nobody wants the solution that I found.
Tease

 

[gcwimmer]

Well...83 people read it and there were no suggestions. Since nobody else has had the problem (no suggestions), I guess nobody wants the solution that I found.
Tease

You maybe correct, the problem maybe unique to you but your not willing to share your solution after asking for suggestions I guess gives you some sort of power and makes you feel special....nice.

 

[towerpower]

GCWIMMER--you didn't read the last word...tease. I always intended to 'share' this. Especially since it could happen to anyone with key-fob type door locks...almost all cars now.
I know some of you might blow this theory out of the water, but here is what the mechanic guessed. There was someone cruising the car lot with a 'code catcher'. I'm not sure if that is the universally accepted phrase, but it is a gizmo that allows someone to 'snatch' the electronic signal from a key fob when it is activated to lock the car door. The mechanic also explained that most modern cars have a 'rolling' code changer built in so the same code will not be used immediately after the fob is used to lock the door. So, my 2005 LS went into a lockdown mode where the keys and the fob would not work. I got the answer by 'googling', but I misunderstood the answer until the mechanic explained it. Here goes...
Insert the key in the ignition and turn it to the right but not far enough to engage the starter. Then turn the key off then on 8 times. Some cars need only 6 times, but you will know if you are a 6-turn car because after the 6th (or eighth) turn, the doors will lock and unlock. Within the next 10 seconds hit any button on the fob. Do this for both fobs. Having them both in hand means you only have to do the key-turning thing once. By the way, they key will still be in the 'on' position. Remove the key and the doors will lock again indicating success. Get out and try the fobs. They should work. Now, I know I might have messed up somewhere along the way and my printed instructions are in my car manual holder---where I won't be able to read them if I'm locked out.