I have an unusual key problem

[bpa5152]

All my life I have kept my car keys in my pocket even when at home, however, this is the first time I have ever had a car key with buttons to push to open the doors and trunk. Also, I park my car in the garage attached to the house.

Well, apparently I am accidentally pushing the trunk button on my car key and opening the trunk while the key is in my pocket as I am doing things around the house. Then, my truck becomes unlocked and the trunk light comes on and stays on. When I go out to start the car 3 days later, the instrument panel shows my trunk is open, my battery is low and the Genesis will not start. I work from home and don't use this car everyday. This has happened twice now and each time I have to charge the battery before it starts.

Have you ever come out and found your trunk lid slightly open in the garage?

Do think a hard case will prevent the buttons from accidentally being pushed or maybe I should just not carry the Genesis key while at home.

Why doesn't the trunk light go off after a while before it drains my battery?

Any suggestions, thanks

 

[somethingwicked]

All my life I have kept my car keys in my pocket even when at home, however, this is the first time I have ever had a car key with buttons to push to open the doors and trunk. Also, I park my car in the garage attached to the house.

Well, apparently I am accidentally pushing the trunk button on my car key and opening the trunk while the key is in my pocket as I am doing things around the house. Then, my truck becomes unlocked and the trunk light comes on and stays on. When I go out to start the car 3 days later, the instrument panel shows my trunk is open, my battery is low and the Genesis will not start. I work from home and don't use this car everyday. This has happened twice now and each time I have to charge the battery before it starts.

Have you ever come out and found your trunk lid slightly open in the garage?

Do think a hard case will prevent the buttons from accidentally being pushed or maybe I should just not carry the Genesis key while at home.

Why doesn't the trunk light go off after a while before it drains my battery?

Any suggestions, thanks

I've apparently done this on quite a few occasions. It hasn't been long enough for it to kill the battery, but there's been about 3-4 times that I've gone out to my car the next day and the trunk is open.

If it's becoming a problem you can always press the button inside the glove box that will turn off the ability to open the trunk via the keyfob or the button outside the trunk. You'll have to use the key.

 

[bpa5152]

I did exactly what you suggested after reading the book on this section. I pushed the button and turned the trunk activation off. However, by pushing the door open and close button accidently the lights in the car are going on and off each time and I don't have any idea how many times I am doing that. Every time I go to the garage, the car is locked and I didn't lock it when I got out. I guess the best thing is for me to put the key up until I am ready to drive it.

 

[mikec]

I'm surprised you are opening the trunk inadvertently this way... on my Genesis at least, I have to hold the key fob trunk button for a few seconds to pop the trunk. I'd expect the same for your car. So it's surprising that:

a) the accidental push is present for the few seconds it takes to activate the function, and

b) that no other key fob buttons are getting pressed. Your car isn't getting locked or unlocked randomly? The "panic alarm" hasn't been tripping?

I wonder if your trunk unlock really is caused by the fob being in your pocket. Try removing the fob for a few days and see if the trunk stays closed or not... if it still randomly opens, then there is a mechanical or electrical issue in the vehicle popping the trunk. Perhaps the wiring to the driver's door is flaky so opening or closing the door is enough to simulate using the door mounted trunk release control?

Then, if the trunk still randomly unlocks, use the glove compartment switch somethingwicked posted. When the switch is NOT pushed in, the electrical trunk release buttons (driver's door button, key fob buttons, and exterior button on the trunk lid itself) are disabled. If your trunks still manages to unlock randomly, it's a purely mechanical problem. Dealer time.

mike c.

 

[Pahaska]

I suspend my key fob high in my side pocket using a spring steel clip. In well over a year, I have never had an occurrence of the trunk being unlocked or any other unlocking problem. With the key not down among the change and other keys in the bottom of the pocket, the buttons simply do not get accidentally pushed. I have the buttons facing toward me so that they contact the skin of my thigh which is unlikely to operate a button.

 

[MrB0462]

Pahaska

I am not trying to be silly, but if you don't drivethe car for days why walk around with the key/fob? If garaged at your house leave it in the garage or in the car. If concerned about security a small key security box with combination lock can bemounted on your garage wall.

Dave

 

[dg_moore]

I had a related problem in my Azera, where I had several keys on the keyfob. Turns out that one of these keys would get into a position in my pocket in which the shoulder of the key would press the alarm button and set off the alarm. This happened many times. With the Genesis I only have a mailbox key on the keyfob and I have never had a keyfob button pressed by mistake. Do you have lot of keys on your keyfob??

 

[nykerk11]

I had a related problem in my Azera, where I had several keys on the keyfob. Turns out that one of these keys would get into a position in my pocket in which the shoulder of the key would press the alarm button and set off the alarm. This happened many times. With the Genesis I only have a mailbox key on the keyfob and I have never had a keyfob button pressed by mistake. Do you have lot of keys on your keyfob??

I own a 2008 VeraCruz and the rear door unlock would raise in the garage and hit the garage door. This was due to the sesitivity of the romote button to instantly activate the sequence.

On my 2011 V8, I must say Hyundai listened to us by adding the feature of pressing the trunk button for at least 1-2 seconds to perform the unlock sequence. Never had an issue yet.

 

[robthoke]

I've set off alarms, opened trunks, gas lids, etc with the fobs in my pocket. When I'm at home, my keys are kept on a wall in the kitchen. I always know where they are and I never lose them. Also keeps the neighbors happy as I'm not setting off the car alarm.

 

[bpa5152]

I was keeping the key fob in my right front pants pocket with my small pocket knife and a set of other keys. I guess when I sit down there is pressure being exerted on the buttons long enough to activate the buttons and also probably wearing down the key fob battery. However, I will do a test just to make sure the car electrical system is not causing this. I have already pushed the button in the glove compartment to prevent the trunk from accidentally opening and the light staying on. I will have to quit carrying my key especially since I don't drive the car much anyway.

Thanks for sharing your suggestions and experiences.

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[sooththetruth]

This has been a great discussion, worth reading even if you haven't had the problem.

 

[Disaster]

I've done this with more than just the Genesis, and my solution, as suggested, was to not walk around with the keys in my pants pocket. Coming out to find your car has been unlocked all night is one thing, but a dead battery is even worse.

 

[Pahaska]

Pahaska

I am not trying to be silly, but if you don't drivethe car for days why walk around with the key/fob? If garaged at your house leave it in the garage or in the car. If concerned about security a small key security box with combination lock can bemounted on your garage wall.

Dave

I drive the car every day when I am home. When I am away for any length of time, I leave the fobs hidden in the house. With most small items, hiding is just as or more effective than a lock box.

I don't leave the fob in the car, ever! Although I have not experienced the problem, I understand that can result in a dead battery if left there for a substantial time.

 

[bpa5152]

You ask a good question. I have been driving for 43 years and my house and car keys have always been safe and convenient in my pocket. It is just habit and I never expected a problem. I am always ready to go without wondering where I left my keys.

Well, since I have learned the Genesis key fob buttons can be easily depressed while in my pocket, I am changing behavior after all these years. I found a nice spot in the house to keep this. I guess now I am operating like everybody else.

 

[JDC]

Haven't had this issue with the Genesis fob yet, but it happens all the time with the Vera Cruz fob in my pocket. Once, the back hatch was open all night, and the bastard lil'thieves in the neighborhood took all my stuff.

They went to kiddie jail for 6 months and just gotback out last week, the lil'bastards.

 

[dond13]

I always keep the key in my pocket and can use it to open only the trunk by feeling the buttons and pushing the right one. A few times, before I got used to it I would push the wrong one, but that doesn't happen anymore. I have never had it open the trunk as you describe, but I carry it in a pocket without change or anything else. It could be that you have too many other objects in that pocket and maybe something is pushing against it that you wouldn't expect.

If possible, I would suggest changing pockets to one that is usually empty or has the least other objects in it.

 

[bpa5152]

I found the solution to my key problem. I went to The Container Store and bought a clear plastic box to keep my key in. It is originally designed to keep 4 AA batteries, however, it is just the right size to hold my key and hard enough to keep me from accidentally pushing the buttons while in my pocket. The corners of the box are rounded "comfortable to carry" and it has lid that opens right up if I need to ever get to the key. $1.49 and now I can carry my key like always. I tried just leaving the key in the house but everytime I walked to the car I didn't have my key and now I don't have to push the button in the glove box to unlock my trunk. I never have to worry about accidentally unlocking the trunk and running my battery down. I am a happy camper. Also, as a side note I lowered my tire pressure to 32 lbs from 33 and now my car rides a lot better. This will work until I get new tires and goes a long way to solving my harsh ride. Now I love my Genesis!

 

[mcginnpm]

I found the solution to my key problem. I went to The Container Store and bought a clear plastic box to keep my key in. It is originally designed to keep 4 AA batteries, however, it is just the right size to hold my key and hard enough to keep me from accidentally pushing the buttons while in my pocket. The corners of the box are rounded "comfortable to carry" and it has lid that opens right up if I need to ever get to the key. $1.49 and now I can carry my key like always.

Try this. It might be a bit more simple, and less bulky in the pocket to boot. I got the idea looking at my wife's key ring. She's got a bunch of those little key ring tags that stores give out to their "valued" customers for various discounts and points.

Find an old credit/debit card, or similar piece of strudy plastic. Cut it down to the size of the key fob. Punch a hole in it. Put it on your key ring so that it lays over the button side of your key fob (see photos). That should help keep you from "bumping" the buttons while the key fob is in your pocket.

You might even make it more secure with a little strip of some self-stick velcro on the end of the key fob and the plastic "guard" to hold it in place while its in your pocket.

 

[Catharpin]

Install LED lights in your trunk and you will be much less likely to kill your battery.

I also had the same problem with a previous fob and the "Alarm" button. I took the fob apart and disabled it.

 

[Midnightsun]

Never had the problem you describe but this will definitely do the trick. I have had one since I got my Genny. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HYUN...52584QQptZApparelQ5fMerchandise#ht_1742wt_941