FINALLY, getting key fob replaced (2 mo) UPDATE: (TRUCK BRICKED)

[VSG]

You only quoted a part of my post. My point wasn't about how they are ordered, but the fact that they require a service appointment to get them.

OK, but I was only responding to the part I quoted.

As far as the service appointment, well when I had to get a new fob for my Toyota a few years ago I had to order it from the parts department at the dealer and had to pay a large programming fee and wait for a few weeks to get it. I don't know about other manufacturers - I've only had to replace a fob that one time.

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[kizamybute']

UPDATE: 01/04/2023 - TRUCK IS BRICKED.......

Went out to go somewhere and the truck wouldn't unlock, with the phone or key card or wristband. Tried the app as well. Truck wasn't communicating with the app. Had to spend some time digging one of my other cars out of the garage to go where I needed to go. Came back, called Rivian. They tried to unlock it remotely with no success. They said it last communicated the night before around 11:30 PM.

They had me try opening the frunk (press button 5 times). It popped the frunk, but wouldn't open all the way. Now, can't close it back all the way down. Hoping it's not filled with water due to the rain.

Then they had me pull the hitch cover and the circle tab to the right to access the "jump" wires.

They said the best thing was to jump it with an ICE vehicle. Unfortunately, don't have jumper cables. They said however, I could use a battery charger to charge the battery back up. Apparently not accurate as I've since read that it doesn't connect straight to the battery.

Had it on a high-powered charger for several hours and while the lights flashed intermittently, still couldn't open the doors. Tried several hours later no luck. Decided to try a trickle charger instead and see if that would work. 12 hours later, still dead.

My Rivian Service center called this morning and said they had no availability today and I would have to wait for my previously scheduled service appointment tomorrow, when they were coming for the fobs anyway. So, the truck would be stuck in the driveway for another day.

At 12:45 PM however, I received a call that the service tech person was on their way!! HUH? Confused as they said I had to wait until tomorrow. My appointment on the app still shows tomorrow, But, no complaints, they said they were able to get me in today, which is great.

Said they're bringing two 12V batteries, along with the key fobs.

Amazing that there's not a simple way to get into the truck if the 12V battery dies. Pretty much stranded. Even if you carry jumper cables and a screwdriver to open the back panel up, or the front fender well to manually release the frunk, you can't open the truck to get to them. Rivian needs to find a solution for this. I'm thankful it was in my driveway when it happened. Would not have been fun if I was out or somewhere in the middle of nowhere!

Am going to ask the tech person what options there are if it happens again.

Concerning that the 12V battery died so quickly (just 6 months after purchase) and with absolutely no notice. My Tesla used to warn me that the 12V battery was getting low and to service it soon.

The truck sat charged to 85% for just one day. Went from driving just fine to completely dead. With these huge batteries we have in the car, amazing that such critical features still rely on old-tech 12V batteries.

I guess purely coincidental that I happened to already have a service appointment scheduled, so will get to take care of both things at the same time.

Wil update once it's back up and running. Am worried however, what the cause was and when it will happen again? My last software update was several weeks ago, so don't think it's related to the latest software update?

 

[kizamybute']

They're working on it.

So far, removed the fender well panel to get the frunk open. Now replacing the battery....

From my security camera....

 

[kizamybute']

Not going well. 12V batteries replaced. Headlights flash when pushing the frunk button, but doors still won't open. Appears likely this thing is going to be getting towed to Rivian. Fingers still crossed.

 

[rivian_germany]

Following

 

[kizamybute']

Getting a little frustrating. Apparently there is no way to open the doors if it won't respond to the key card, app, phone key, fob, etc. Apparently Rivian has tools at the service center that allow them to "break in" to the vehicle, but not something the mobile service techs carry with them.

Thinking there's a possibility that now that the 12V batteries have been replaced, the truck just needs to rebooted as my app now shows 0 miles, all doors open, all windows open, frunk open, etc, etc. None of which is accurate. If there's a way to get the damn door open, might be able to just reboot the system. Unfortunately, Rivian really screwed up in not building a back-up way to enter the vehicle if it goes dead. Never heard of that in any other car. You can get to the frunk manually, but not the cab of the truck. MAJOR oversight in the design process of this thing.

Should be a pull cable in the frunk or something. Or they need to create an actual keyed opening. something, anything!

Still waiting. Tech is waiting to hear from supervisor at service center to determine next step.

 

[kizamybute']

Tech just left. Said service center will be calling to schedule pickup by tow truck.

Two truck driver will be given the "break in" kit to get the door open so I can get my stuff out before it gets towed.

Now just waiting for the call.

I understand early adopter and was one with Tesla too and dealt with their growing pains. This one just seems a little silly that you can't get into the truck at all, without having to break into it. Thankful it happened at home. Can't imagine if it happened on a trip somewhere or camping or........??

Rivian needs a solution for this and one that can be retrofitted to existing trucks. Imagine being stranded in less than 0 degree temps in the NorthEast without being able to at least take shelter in your vehicle while you wait for a tow truck.

 

[lmr]

Rivian really screwed up in not building a back-up way to enter the vehicle if it goes dead. Never heard of that in any other car. You can get to the frunk manually, but not the cab of the truck. MAJOR oversight in the design process of this thing.

Isn't Tesla the same if the 12v system goes dead and you can't manually jump/charge from the 12v leads in the front of the car?

 

[kizamybute']

Isn't Tesla the same if the 12v system goes dead and you can't manually jump/charge from the 12v leads in the front of the car?

It's been a little while now. I don't remember the exact process. I know the early version Model S with the Nose Cone was easy to access the 12V leads. I don't remember the process on later versions.

I'm almost certain there is a backup way to open the doors on a Tesla though if the 12V battery is dead. Just don't remember how.

 

[SANZC02]

Isn't Tesla the same if the 12v system goes dead and you can't manually jump/charge from the 12v leads in the front of the car?

My Model S is the same as Rivian, you need to open the front hood and charge or put jumper cables on the battery in order to get the doors to open.

 

[lmr]

It's been a little while now. I don't remember the exact process. I know the early version Model S with the Nose Cone was easy to access the 12V leads. I don't remember the process on later versions.

I'm almost certain there is a backup way to open the doors on a Tesla though if the 12V battery is dead. Just don't remember how.

My Model S is the same as Rivian, you need to open the front hood and charge or put jumper cables on the battery in order to get the doors to open.

That's what I thought. So the results would be the same on both the Rivian and Tesla if the battery would not take/hold a charge, i.e. a service call for help.

 

[SANZC02]

That's what I thought. So the results would be the same on both the Rivian and Tesla if the battery would not take/hold a charge, i.e. a service call for help.

Yes, or use the manual hood release (similar for both vehicles) and put jumper cables on the battery.

Both vehicles would take a little effort, neither are easy. It was a concern when I first got my Tesla but 6.5 years later has not been an issue.

In a dire need to get in, I’m sure I could find a rock laying around to use as an emergency key.

 

[SACDFJC]

This sounds exactly like my experience when the main HV battery and rear drive unit took a crap. I went out to the truck and it was non responsive and had to be towed to the SC after mobile service replaced the 12v batteries. Hoping that yours is an easier solve. What's your vin range out of curiosity? There have been a few in the 6000-7000 range that have needed new HV batteries.

 

[kizamybute']

Unfortunately, jumping the truck didn't help. Rivian mobile came and changed the 12V batteries and still nothing. The tow truck driver tried to jump it as well (from the rear and directly from the batteries).

The ONLY thing that worked was the hazard lights.

Tow truck driver broke in to the truck to get the door open so I could get my stuff out.

Tried a hard reboot as recommended by the service tech that was here, once I was able to get into the truck. No luck.

Other than hazard lights, truck entirely dead. No dome lights, no brake lights. No window controls. Nada, nuttin.

Even more odd, once the frunk is open, you can't close it!

It's heading to Rivian now to let them figure it out. Clearly more than just a dead 12V battery.

Still amazed it takes all that just to get the door open. Really needs to be a better way.

Scary thing is, the tow truck driver is apparently a Rivian specialist and said he's come across this 250 to 300 times just in the SoCal area alone!!! That's a big number considering the number of trucks sold, let alone the number sold in SoCal. He definitely knew what he was doing.

And here I thought I was just getting key fobs programmed!

I can say, Rivian has responded well. They weren't able to resolve it yesterday when I called. But, did get someone here the next day, despite telling me they couldn't. Once the Rivian tech completed what he could do, the tow truck was here within a couple of hours to pick it up.

Away she goes......

 

[SACDFJC]

The ride of shame!

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