Smart Keys can cause battery drain

[MikeyTG]

In the linked article the AAA says to keep your smartkey at least 10 feet away from the car when parked to avoid unexpected battery drain.

Maybe this can explain some of the random battery dead events in the forum.

https://techcrunch.com/2016/07/22/car-breakdowns-reach-record-high-despite-boost-in-auto-technology/

 

[xsolara]

I keep my FOB in the car 90% of the time (garage kept). I use the Genny for long trips only so sometime I may not drive it for several days ....... NO PROBLEMS

 

[Mark_888]

I keep my FOB in the car 90% of the time (garage kept). I use the Genny for long trips only so sometime I may not drive it for several days ....... NO PROBLEMS

Might be different for G1 vs G2, or might depend on which options are on the car (trim level). People with highest trim levels have reported the most battery failures.

 

[kn5owa]

Sounds like the fob and the car computer are looping continuously thru a "handshaking" routine for identification purposes.

And, if nobody gets in the car & goes -- the routine just continues - as it would with any dumb robot.

 

[xsolara]

Sounds like the fob and the car computer are looping continuously thru a "handshaking" routine for identification purposes.

And, if nobody gets in the car & goes -- the routine just continues - as it would with any dumb robot.

I never thought about that but it makes sense.... the draw must be very low otherwise I would have problems. I have left my car for up to 3 weeks and did not have a problem starting the car.

 

[ntx_v8]

The key and car may have a periodic challenge/response routine.

However, I am convinced that whenever I bring the key within range of the vehicle, the car starts to "boot up".

If I get in immediately and start the car--it takes quite a while to get to the "accept" screen.

If I put stuff in the back seat, and take longer, the accept screen comes right up.

However, if I am washing the car or such, and then try to start it, it takes the long time. I think after a few minutes, it stops the "boot" sequence to keep from running down the battery as much.


By the way, the car has to periodically send out an "is there a key near" radio signal. This wakes up any compatible key fobs in the vicinity, and they respond with "key 1279 is here" (or something like that). The fobs are in listen only mode until they get a signal from a compatible car. Otherwise, their battery life would be even worse.

After the key responds, they can start the "halt who goes there, the security challenge is xxx, your response was valid, . . ." routine to see if it is the correct genuine key. This challenge/response protocol is changing fairly rapidly to address all kinds of attacks, and I have no idea which iteration is baked into the gen 2 Genesis.

 

[drpearso]

I keep my FOB in the car 90% of the time (garage kept). I use the Genny for long trips only so sometime I may not drive it for several days ....... NO PROBLEMS

Same here -- keep FOB in car in garage and never had a problem for 2 years until this week the battery was drained to low to start the car .... so now looking at a new $400 battery!!!!

Let me read more. Regards.

 

[drpearso]

In the linked article the AAA says to keep your smartkey at least 10 feet away from the car when parked to avoid unexpected battery drain.

Maybe this can explain some of the random battery dead events in the forum.

https://techcrunch.com/2016/07/22/car-breakdowns-reach-record-high-despite-boost-in-auto-technology/

I keep FOB in my car in garage and never had a problem for 2 years until this week the battery was drained to low to start the car .... so now looking at a new $400 battery!!!!

Thanks for posting the AAA article .... not sure that is/was the problem, but will keep FOB away from car. This again.

 

[GensisBoss]

Wow thats weird... I keep my keys pretty close to the car and I know I had a problem with this in my Lexus due to it thinking that im walking past it and the courtesy lights turn on but never with my genesis. thanks for the info!