Hi all, hoping you can provide some guidance? Just replaced the battery on my 2016 V6 coupe with the Duralast Platinum, charged to 100%. Old battery worked fine but was about 4 years old. Installation was uneventful, but now the display gives a message saying, "Smart Key Not Recognized. Reposition or Place as Shown and Press Start Button." Doing so starts the vehicle and it runs great, but the error message returns each time I attempt to start the engine. Even while driving, the display says the' smart key cannot be located.' . Changed the key fob battery as well, but that did not help.

Any idea what is going on?

 

Something similar happened to my car (except I didn't change the actual car battery). One of my keyfobs was getting low on battery so I changed the batteries for both fobs and I got the same problem you're having.
I had to take it to the dealer and they updated the RFA module for about $170 CAD and it has been fine ever since.

 

Thank you for that information. No idea why changing the car battery or the key fob batteries would cause these issues! I have a dealer appointment in a couple of weeks, but until then, just locking the vehicle would require and hard-key entry and who wants to deal with that every day?

 

If you have two key fobs have you tried both?

 

Have you confirmed the replacement fob battery is good?

 

Also, have you removed the "Child Secure Bitter Coating" from the new battery? <--- I forgot that, once.

This listing shows it:

 

Yes, both key fobs worked perfectly before the car battery was replaced and both were no longer recognized just after. The chance of two simultaneous failures seems farfetched? Changed both fob batteries just in case, all coatings removed, to no avail. Twitchf00t's experience with the RFA module is a possibility or perhaps a corrupted BMS? Next time I need an F-type car battery replaced, I'll take it do the JLR dealer!

 

Actually not farfetched - the batteries in the fob will both run down at the same rate, regardless of whether you use them or leave them in a drawer. Guess how I know ....

 

I meant farfetched in the sense that both fobs became unrecognized at the exact moment the car battery was changed.
Both fobs now have new batteries installed, but this did nothing the solve the problem.

 

Sounds like it may have just lost the programming for both remotes. I would think the dealer could reprogram the fobs to the vehicle. Unless the module took a power surge during the battery swap and fried/erased it.

 

Thanks Matt, that makes sense. I have an appointment with the dealer, though it will be awhile. By 'module' do you mean the RFA module?

 

Since the dealer is making you wait, ask a locksmith if they could help you out.

 

It could be the Radio Receiver Module or KVM Control Module. Hoping it's not the KVM Module, it's quite pricy. Have tried facing the Key Fob in the Rib section under the steering wheel to start the car?

 

Yes, the car starts up just fine when the Key Fob is placed under the steering column.

 

Here's a link for some ideas that might work... similar symptom:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/f...resent-250642/

 

I had the same issue New Years Day. I thought I had car battery issues when the second key fob wouldn't work correctly. Both key fob batteries required replacement and all is back to normal. Then today I get in the wife's Macan and it wouldn't acknowledge my key, another battery replacement. My fault for ignoring "replace battery soon" warning. I was glad I purchased extra batteries.

Anyway, I would check your terminal connections and ground again. Maybe disconnect battery for 5 minutes. Good luck, hope it is minor.

 

Here's my post on XF forum recently. Watch the video (Land Rover). It might help on your search for a solutuion.
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...nected-276063/

 

Thank you 2018XF25T.
That video clearly explains what the modules do and how they work. If it's the KVM module, this could end up being a very pricy repair!

 

Replacing the key remote battery will not affect anything.... However when you replace the vehicles main battery the key info gets corrupted between all the Immobilizer modules,,, solutions is to REWRITE TARGET IDENTIFIER to all Immobilizer modules...
I can help you with this remotley,, we need a Laptop/PC and any J2534 device, you can also use some cheaper obd2-usb adapters off Amazon.
contact me if you still need help with this.

 

Bless you for this information—it makes perfect sense. I'll contact you.