Key Fob Battery Failures Plague Caravan Owners

I had the exact same issue with my 2015 Voyager, these electronic keys can be finicky. With some basic repair experience, I can confirm this is usually a straightforward fix. Started with similar symptoms, key fob not responding, low battery warnings, and trouble with manual locking. Took it to my regular workshop where they diagnosed a failing battery in the key fob. They replaced it and also cleaned the key contacts while they were at it. Total cost was 37€ for parts and labor. The key stopped showing battery warnings right away and all functions returned to normal. The workshop mentioned these electronic key systems are pretty reliable, but the batteries typically need replacement every 2-3 years. What year and exact model is your Caravan? Some versions have different key fob types which might affect the repair process. Also, are you getting any specific error codes on the dashboard? This info would help determine if your issue matches what I experienced. Worth noting, if replacing the battery doesnt solve it, there could be an issue with the key fob circuit board or the cars receiver unit, but battery failure is the most common cause by far.

Thanks for sharing your experience. My Caravan has 52619 KM and just had its annual service last month. After reading your post, I checked and found a low voltage message on the dashboard. The dead key fob symptoms match exactly what you described. Good to know the battery replacement is usually a simple fix. The error code P1E34 keeps showing up when I start the car. Before spending money at the dealer, I might try swapping the key fob battery first since it seems to be a common issue. Do you remember if cleaning the contacts made a significant difference in the key performance? Mine is the original fob from 2017, so it makes sense the battery could be failing after all these years.

The contact cleaning definitely made a noticeable difference in my case. When the workshop handled my electronic key battery replacement, they showed me how oxidation can build up on the contacts over time, especially in damp conditions. That grime can interfere with the signal even with a fresh battery. Your error code P1E34 matches what I saw on my Voyager before the fix. Since your fob is original from 2017, the timing fits the typical 2-3 year battery life cycle. A low voltage condition in these auto keys often triggers that specific error. After my battery replacement and contact cleaning, the error cleared automatically on the next start. The whole repair took under 30€ and saved me from unnecessary dealer costs. Just make sure to use a quality replacement battery, I learned cheap ones can cause intermittent key fob performance issues. Good call on trying the battery first. In my experience, when the symptoms match this closely, unreliable locking, dashboard warnings, and that specific error code, its almost always resolved with a fresh battery and clean contacts.

Your mileage matches typical battery wear patterns. The P1E34 code showing up with the key fob battery warning confirms what I suspected. Going to try replacing the key battery myself first since it seems to be a common fix. Thanks for mentioning the contact cleaning, that might explain why my manual key use has been spotty lately. Makes sense that buildup could affect performance even with a new battery. Will definitely get the contacts cleaned while doing the battery replacement. The pricing you shared helps too, much better than what the dealer quoted me. Good tip about avoiding cheap batteries for the key fob. Will make sure to get a quality one to prevent any recurring issues. Hoping this solves both the error code and the unreliable locking problems. I appreciate the detailed feedback. Will update once I get the battery replacement done to confirm if it resolves the same symptoms you experienced.