Hello. Hope someone has had this issue before. My key fob stoped working. Got the “smart key not found please insert in slot” message. I figured this was a key fob battery issue so I replaced the battery. Key fob will lock and unlock doors but still won’t start the car. Same message is displayed. Like the car can’t see the key fob. Any suggestions. Oh and my arm rest console will not open so I can’t get to the area to insert the fob.

 

Armrest won’t open??
You need access to the fob slot. So I’d get that corrected. Then the simple test - place fob in slot and confirm it is recognized.

 

I had this exact problem, the issue was the fob had started to flex or wear or something, resulting in the battery not being fully connected. When I pressed the buttons I was squeezing the fob and connecting the battery but 'at rest' the battery disconnected again. Doing guy's suggestion will confirm the key is good. You could also get in the car, squeeze the remote in the palm of your hand (without pressing any buttons) and then press the start button to see if it makes a difference. If it does, check the contacts in the fob or try a small piece of paper or blu tak behind the battery to keep it in good contact.

 

There was a minor design change on the Smartkey. The rear of the case on the early ones didn't hold the battery securely against the contacts.

Graham

 

Mine is certainly an early one, so that explains that one, thanks for the clarification.

OP's bio shows a 2007 XKR so this could well be the issue.

 

Thanks guys ! That was exactly my issue.

Joel

 

My problem has been resolved! I had to get a new key for my wife who miss placed hers somewhere in the house. The new key starts the car as intended with no issues; so I had my old key re-programmed and it too is working as intended now? I assume, like a computer the program became corrupted and need to be reloaded.

 

As an aside, I had the same problem, key not recognized, etc. Put it in the slot, car started no problem. It then occurred to me that I had the fob for my daughter's Audi in the same hand. Once I moved the Audi fob, Jag fob worked correctly.