I have a 2006 RX-8 GT fully loaded w/ 40,000 miles on it currently. I have never fully understood how the keyless card thing works. Just recently my card/controller stopped working, I think the battery is dead, any idea on how/where the battery is in this card thing? Also, I've never been able to use the buttons on the card/remote. I push lock/unlock, or trunk, and none of them work, but my car unlocks fine when I'm next to my door and push that little black switch on the handle or trunk. So what's with that? how can I use that function of the remote/card? I can't arm the car by pushing the lock button on the remote, I have to push the black button on the car to lock it. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

Most likely your battery is so low that you need to be directly next to the car to unlock it. Try using the card key at really close range. What happens when you press the buttons on your car door/trunk is that it transmits a request for signal from your card key, to which your key supplies after authentication. So if it works when you press your car buttons, your battery isn't entirely dead.

 

As for replacing the battery all you need to do is pull the actual key out of the card then pull on the clip next to the open where the actual key is inserted (clips are small be careful not to brake them) using a small paper clip will help. Battery then will slide out. You will find the a 3V battery that is sitting in there. simple fix.