About a week ago my remote transponder stopped locking and unlocking the doors on my 2001 LS430. My first thought was a dead battery, but I noticed that the red light on the remote still flashed when I pressed a button. Also, all the doors and trunk open when I manually use the key, so I don't think it's an actuator problem.

I went to Home Depot to get a replacement battery and there was a car remote/transponder tester at the battery display. According to the tester my remote (with current battery) was working fine. I did not get a new battery because at this point I'm not sure that is the problem.

I searched online but cannot find an answer to this problem for my specific vehicle. One suggestion I found was to check and see if the switch that controls the remote operation (down by the steering wheel) had been turned off. That was for an LS400. I cannot locate a similar switch inside my LS430.

So, before I take it to the dealer I want to see if there is a simple solution, or at least a way to accurately diagnose the problem so I know exactly what it is.

Any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
John