Originally Posted by Stuart S

Don't keep your Smartkey and your cellphone in the same pocket, as the phone can block the signal from the key.

Originally Posted by Bigbully

further question for you as i've been wondering.. my key fob works in passive mode. I can lock the doors by pushing the button on the DOOR HANDLE, and I can unlock the doors by pulling on the DOOR HANDLE. The car starts without issue. However...the car will NOT lock/unlock by pressing the lock/unlock buttons on the remote?
should it lock with the remote buttons? (I figure why are they there if they aren't to lock/unlock the car?). I'm hesitant to lock the car as I fear the doors wont open when I go to pull door handle. The remote is very light, I thought maybe theres no battery in there but I guess it has to be as it works to start car. I obviously haven't opened it up to check it..
far as extra key, I may just buy another, and go to jaguar and have them marry it to the car.

Originally Posted by shemp

I've had to clean the contacts on the PCB where the button presses against on some older remotes. It's possible they are not making good contact but if all of the buttons don't work, it's probably something else. Easy enough to try... Take apart the remote and go over the contact points lightly with a pencil eraser and wipe clean with some alcohol on a tissue or Q-tip. Lightly wipe the rubber disk on the back of the button also.

Originally Posted by Bigbully

thanx, i'll give a try, although everyone keeps saying how the prongs are so delicate and easily break, I'm hesitant to take apart and mess with.

Originally Posted by shemp

yea if you're not comfortable with it, don't do it. Take it to the autoparts store and get it tested like CeeJay said.

Originally Posted by MurrayG

Further this this - I have a question about how close the key needs to be to the car for the doorhandle-mounted "lock" button to work or for the trunk-lid unlock button to work.

I find that with either of my keys, I am surprised how close the key needs to be to the car for these buttons to work. With the key in my pocket, I sometimes find that pressing the door handle button will not work. I will then turn my body so that the pocket with the key in it is next to the door, and presto - the button now works. This is true for either door as well as the trunk. Both key fobs have brand new batteries (though I am not sure this is relevant).

Also (and I suspect this is related) I have found a few times that when the car is running, a message appears on the console saying that the key is not detected - even though it is in my pocket and the car started normally. The error message will not go away unless I shut off the car and restart it.

Is this consistent with other people's experience? Or is this unusual behaviour? I find with my other cars that they can detect the key easily while it is in my pocket, regardless of how I am standing.

Let me know and thanks so much!

Originally Posted by kj07xk

Well, maybe I'm denser than Cee Jay (in more ways than one), as I've often had to turn to get the door to lock when pressing the handle button. But then I've also never had the KEY NOT DETECTED while IN the car.
The key is always in my right front pants pocket. Maybe I'll try putting the key in my hip pocket, and see if my fat *** blocks the signal inside the car.

Originally Posted by Stuart S

Don't keep your Smartkey and your cellphone in the same pocket, as the phone can block the signal from the key.

Originally Posted by MurrayG

I find that with either of my keys, I am surprised how close the key needs to be to the car for these buttons to work. With the key in my pocket, I sometimes find that pressing the door handle button will not work. I will then turn my body so that the pocket with the key in it is next to the door, and presto - the button now works. This is true for either door as well as the trunk. Both key fobs have brand new batteries (though I am not sure this is relevant).

Originally Posted by cee jay

mine all work up to about three feet, i've never had to turn to make a key work. Also, never had the key not detected while in the car. Hope that helps.

Originally Posted by Stuart S

I know, this sounds nuts but it actually works! You can increase the range of your Smartkey by holding it against your forehead when you push the button. Your skull acts as an antenna and increases the range.
https://driver-safety.wonderhowto.co...range-0139966/

Originally Posted by Stuart S

My bride tried it, and it gave her such a headache that it ruined our honeymoon!