I've noticed over the last month that my boot isn't opening first time when I press the boot button and have the smart key in my pocket. Usually, it will work on the second press, but recently it has started taking more and more attempts. Yesterday, I didn't think it would open at all as it took 5 separate attempts.

The drivers door is never an issue - opens first time every time, which suggests it isn't an issue with the battery in the smart key.

Has anyone experienced similar issues? My car is now 10 years old, so I'm wondering if this is a wear issue with the boot button.

If I press the boot unlock button on the smart key, it opens first time every time, so the electronics seem to be working, which again makes me wonder if this is a mechanical wear issue. I tend to always open the boot first when using the car as I usually have stuff to put in it (coat, laptop etc).

Thanks.

 

When was the last time you replaced that battery? Even though you think the Smartkey battery is OK, because it's so cheap and easy to put in a new one I'd give that a try and see if it makes a difference. If so, that was easy. If not, you know for sure it's not the battery.

 

I've not seen the problem you describe. Probably because when opening the trunk, I hold the button until the latch releases.

 

+1
Sometimes I have to hold the button longer than other times.

 

+1 Same here

 

About 15% of the time I try and open the boot on my '10 XKR using keyless entry I have to resort to using the fob. It doesn't matter how many times I press or how long I hold the button for, nothing happens.

 

I was working from home yesterday, so the car was parked in the garage most of the day apart from nipping out a couple of times on short journeys.

I made a point of opening the boot now and again throughout the day and to my surprise it opened first time EVERY time.

This morning, opened the boot without issue, then drove the 25 miles to work. Tried to open the boot on arrival and it took 3 attempts! It doesn't matter how long I keep the button pressed, if it doesn't open immediately, it won't open. Is it possible that having the fob in the car for a time is affecting the battery as it is constantly being "polled"?

The fob battery wasn't changed that long ago, but I guess I could try to change it or use my spare to see if that makes a difference. Given I never have any issues opening the doors and I'm not getting a battery low warning, I would be surprised if this is a battery issue, but I guess it's easy to check.

 

FWIW, I haven't taken my fob apart on my 2011 but my 2004 fob started exhibiting part time problems. It seems that the underside of the rubber buttons have a conductive coating that wears away over time. I replaced the pad and eliminated the problem.

 

Turns out it was the battery in the fob after all.
I purchased a 2 battery pack of Duracell about 6 months ago and one of those was in the fob when I had the issues. Swapped it for the other "unused" battery and I got warnings from the car that the fob battery was low! So, a "new" battery, never used, and it has no power and the 1st battery lasted only 6 months.
Purchased another one (not Duracell) and the boot opens instantly. I'll see how long this battery lasts! I'd love to know which make of battery the manufacturers used as that lasted for many, many years.

 

Beware of cheap CR2032 knockoffs that look just like the brand names - Duracell, Energizer, Panasonic, etc. - but are made in China and sold in flea markets and eBay and other online stores. I buy CR2032 batteries at my local CVS or Walgreens, where I know it's genuine and can read the expiration date on the package.

 

+1