First time poster here and appreciate any insight into this issue I'm having with the key fobs (both). I have the dreaded "Place Smart Key as shown and press Start" message and I must do so in order to start the car. The most frustrating thing is I've fixed this before and now the same fix isn't working again. Here are the symptoms:

• I can lock the car by touching the external finger "dimple" without issue.
• I cannot unlock the car in the same way; it must be done by pressing the key fob unlock button.
• I cannot start the car with either key fob without placing on the physical contactor on the dash

What I've done:

• Replaced both key fob batteries, twice (each).
• Tried multiple combinations of having the driver door open, key fob in the car, press start but not ignition, with ignition, etc.

I want to believe this is a sync issue and not a part failure, but again this has happened before, and I was able to replace the batteries and fix it. But not this time. Anyone have this? Thank you!

 

Had a similar issue with Land Rover a few yrs ago. Same keyless system
Disconnected main car battery for 30s. Reconnected and it all booted up again fine
Worth a try...

 

I appreciate the insight and was definitely worth a shot. But with the heat wave in the U.S. right now I didn't feel like being outside messing with the battery, so I instead went the pull-a-fuse route. It worked! I'm going to edit my post above to help the internet crawlers in the future ;-). Thanks again.

 

Never mind, I guess I can't edit my original post.

The solution was definitely power related and @BritCars' suggestion led me down the path of opening the passenger fuse panel and pulling the 5-amp F35 fuse and putting it back in again. There was a definitive electronic click sound from a relay (I assume) and that was it - keyless entry and key-in-pocket startup has been restored. Thanks again.

 

Nice! And good idea to do it via fuse. If it's just an isolated circuit that's a good shortcut. I've never had any issues with mine since that one 4 years ago so hopefully just an isolated gremlin!