Tried to start the X today and got the above message. It would not start. Turned ignition off and tried again. Started and purred like the kitten that it is - and no problems since.

1. What caused that?

2. What does "Security Failed" mean?

3. Should I worry that it's a warning of pending problem(s)?

Thanks!

 

Time, when you start your car, there is a lot of communication that goes on "behind the scenes". As you turn the key, a pulse of electricity is sent to your key which then causes it to transmit its special number (that key should be the only key with that number). The number is then received by the ECU and compared to a list of approved keys for the car (when new, your car only had 2 approved numbers, if you have had additional keys made for your car, then each of these keys will have their number in there too). If the number match, then the ECU sends a signal out to the starter relay to turn the motor over and it also allows the ECU to apply power to the fuel injectors and coils. In your case, for some reason, the number got corrupted and the number didn't match the list of approved keys. So, the car did what it was supposed to and didn't allow the motor to start.

As for what caused it and should you be worried about a future issue, that is hard to say. The cause could be nothing more than you were pressing on the key just so and it didn't receive the electrical pulse so therefore the ECU got no number or for some reason the key didn't transmit the number correctly, etc. I would keep an eye on the car and if it starts happening again and is becoming frequent (ie, more than once a month), then I would start worrying and seeing what is going on.

 

Big bunch of keys? Extra metal stopping the signals?

 

And if you've still got 2 keys it may be a wise move to get another one made now while you can still program it to your car in the driveway without shelling out big bucks they charge if it turns out the chip in that key is starting to fail and you wind up with only one working key.

 

No. In fact, not even on key ring...

 

My X did this to me one morning when I was in a big hurry. I frightened me a lot because the car wouldn't start. I then noticed that if you don't fully "flip out" the key on the fob then this error will be given.

I laughed so hard after this and you can try inserting the key will not fully flipped out and will see that you get the security failed message. Let's hope this was the case for you too. It might be, given that it hasn't happened to you before.

 

+1

I've done this myself. Always make sure the key/fob is fully locked in the open position.