Key Fob "Not In Car" Warning

[Superdave955]

I rarely drive my Rspec Sedan in an attempt to keep mileage low. (2013 model. Just turned 32K miles.) Yesterday I decided to take it for a drive and the smart key fob would not unlock the doors. No problem. I went inside and retrieved my spare key fob and had the same result.

I manually unlocked the door and attempt to start the car with no success. It appears the fob and car were not talking to each other. As instructed, I pushed the START button with the fob and the car started, but, produced a long tone informing the key was not in the car when it actually was.

I took it around the block with no issues and both fobs were inoperative when I parked it.

I do not keep the car on a trickle charger and the time between drives was at lease a month. The car battery and fob batteries are those that came with the car.

My question is: If the car battery drops below a specified voltage, will the proximity fob function be adversely affected?

Anyone else experience this?

 

[EdP]

I rarely drive my Rspec Sedan in an attempt to keep mileage low. (2013 model. Just turned 32K miles.) Yesterday I decided to take it for a drive and the smart key fob would not unlock the doors. No problem. I went inside and retrieved my spare key fob and had the same result.

I manually unlocked the door and attempt to start the car with no success. It appears the fob and car were not talking to each other. As instructed, I pushed the START button with the fob and the car started, but, produced a long tone informing the key was not in the car when it actually was.

I took it around the block with no issues and both fobs were inoperative when I parked it.

I do not keep the car on a trickle charger and the time between drives was at lease a month. The car battery and fob batteries are those that came with the car.

My question is: If the car battery drops below a specified voltage, will the proximity fob function be adversely affected?

Anyone else experience this?

Yes, it may be both the car and fob batteries after 6 years. I'd replace the fob batteries and check out the car battery as it is close to the normal time of death. If you leave the car for a month at a time it would be smart to have a battery tender.

Note: Battery tender, not a trickle charger. They are different and others here can give more specific recommendations.

 

[AgentSmith007]

Anyone else experience this?

Yes. I had to replace key fob battery.
6 years is too long for the battery.

 

[Mr. Incredible]

Yes. I had to replace key fob battery.
6 years is too long for the battery.

6 years is a good run.. I usually only get 1 year or less.

 

[Superdave955]

6 years is a good run.. I usually only get 1 year or less.

Looking back, 6 years is pretty good for fob batteries AND the car battery as well. And I live in South Florida. Car is garaged and out of the sun, mostly.

I'll look into replacing the fob batteries right away and tackling the main battery soon after. I'll bet those are very pricey and labor intensive.

Thanks for your assistance.

 

[mkeeping]

Replacing the fob batteries is a good start.

I'm not sure if you know, but if the batteries are dead in the fob, you can "plug" the FOB in". There is a slot below the volume knob that it plugs in to. Simply plug it in and it should start.

 

[shahhere]

The Key Fobs take the CR2032 battery in them. Also note that you can take the Metal Key part out and use that to open the body of the fob and don't need to get a screwdriver and such.


Put the Metal key in the above slot and gently twist with not a lot of force and it will open up.

Shahhere

 

[OUsig]

Why would you try to keep the miles low on this vehicle? It seems your main question was answered (yes simply replace the watch style batteries)
I mean this isnt a collector vehicle and honestly is fun to drive...I wish you lived near me and I would buy it off of you! I have 108000 miles on my Rspec

 

[Superdave955]

Why would you try to keep the miles low on this vehicle? It seems your main question was answered (yes simply replace the watch style batteries)
I mean this isnt a collector vehicle and honestly is fun to drive...I wish you lived near me and I would buy it off of you! I have 108000 miles on my Rspec

You just answered your own question. Low miles makes it more desirable. Especially to those in the know such as yourself. Mine isn't exactly stock though.

 

[Superdave955]

Oh, yeah. New fob batteries and we're back in business!

______________________________

Help support this site so it can continue supporting you!

 

[Superdave955]

Replacing the fob batteries is a good start.

I'm not sure if you know, but if the batteries are dead in the fob, you can "plug" the FOB in". There is a slot below the volume knob that it plugs in to. Simply plug it in and it should start.

Sorry man, that doesn't look anything like my dashboard. I have a 2013 Rspec 5.0. I learned that you can just push the start button with the dead fob and off you go.

 

[Superdave955]

The Key Fobs take the CR2032 battery in them. Also note that you can take the Metal Key part out and use that to open the body of the fob and don't need to get a screwdriver and such.
View attachment 18891

Put the Metal key in the above slot and gently twist with not a lot of force and it will open up.

Shahhere

That's good advice. I gently used a screwdriver. New batteries worked. Thanks.

 

[EdP]

You just answered your own question. Low miles makes it more desirable. Especially to those in the know such as yourself. Mine isn't exactly stock though.

Sure, but you miss the fun of driving it yourself. Either way you pay. You can always put plastic seat covers on.

 

[Superdave955]

Sure, but you miss the fun of driving it yourself. Either way you pay. You can always put plastic seat covers on.

You are absolutely correct on that one. It is a gas to drive. I have an Explorer for my daily and it is a treat to jump in the Rspec occasionally.

 

[Gunkk]

Glad you got the fob thing sorted.

You are absolutely correct on that one. It is a gas to drive. I have an Explorer for my daily and it is a treat to jump in the Rspec occasionally.

Yep nothing wrong with a RSPEC as a fun weekend car.

For me my 4.6 is my DD and I went a different route for weekend fun...

 

[entu77]

You are absolutely correct on that one. It is a gas to drive. I have an Explorer for my daily and it is a treat to jump in the Rspec occasionally.

nice mods !! where did you get the rear spoiler

 

[Superdave955]

Glad you got the fob thing sorted.



Yep nothing wrong with a RSPEC as a fun weekend car.

For me my 4.6 is my DD and I went a different route for weekend fun...

View attachment 18929

Nice. I wish I could drive a coupe. At my age, they’re too hard to get in and out. Is that a ZR 1?

 

[EdP]

Nice. I wish I could drive a coupe. At my age, they’re too hard to get in and out. Is that a ZR 1?

You just have to plan ahead. I've been thinking it would be nice to have a Corvette, but have a similar issue. My thought is to sort of fall into the seat, ass first. Once in, I'll carry a hospital grade bed pan All my meals will come from the drive through window and I'll just sleep in the car. A couple of times a year I'll crawl out and go in the house for the night.

 

[Gunkk]

Nice. I wish I could drive a coupe. At my age, they’re too hard to get in and out. Is that a ZR 1?

"The Mistress" is a 2017 50th anniversary Camaro ZL1. One of 33 made in Red Hot. 650 hp 650 ft-lbs with the top down gets me where I want to be on the weekends

Getting in is easy. I can drop the top remotely with the key fob. The seats are low, so if I had back or knee issues getting out would be a bit more of a challenge climbing over the door sill and rocker because I cannot put the top up remotely with the fob (obligatory key fob content).

The ZR1 is a Corvette, which is +100hp and +$50k more than my car comparably optioned. Completely insane car!

You can get a ZL1 used for about what G70s are going for new these days (low/mid-$50s). I did the wonder bread and tap water thing for 6 years to save up. Totally worth it. If your Genny doesn't make you smile every time you look at her or driver her, then I highly recommend test driving one of these nutty power cars. The modern American muscle (Mustang, Challenger, Camaro) is an incredible thrill value for money, and comparatively simple to maintain/repair/modify/upgrade.

 

[Superdave955]

You just have to plan ahead. I've been thinking it would be nice to have a Corvette, but have a similar issue. My thought is to sort of fall into the seat, ass first. Once in, I'll carry a hospital grade bed pan All my meals will come from the drive through window and I'll just sleep in the car. A couple of times a year I'll crawl out and go in the house for the night.

That’s hilarious!