[Aragorn]

For the first time since owning the car I had this issue. At the time I had a large soft drink in the forward cup holder. Could that be the reason why the kf was not detected? Thanks.

[Sweptwing]

Originally Posted by Aragorn

For the first time since owning the car I had this issue. At the time I had a large soft drink in the forward cup holder. Could that be the reason why the kf was not detected? Thanks.

I wouldn’t think so. The rear cup holder is where you would place the fob in the case of a low or dead battery. I would change the battery and go from there.

[RollaMo]

Yeah, put a new battery in the FOB.


We had that message twice a few weeks apart (year ago).
Put the FOB in rear cup holder and started the car.


Put a new battery in the FOB, and haven't had that message again.

[Clearly_Canadian]

Mine is in the shop right now for this reason. They have had it a week now for peeling rims, a steering recall and this mystery "no key fob detected". If you do a search in here, there have been mentions of a failing key fob sensor unit. I made sure to give the dealership both FOBs in hopes they will be able to generate the fault and not just reprogram the fobs. (which is most likely what they will do and tell me everything is fine). I replaced my batteries in both fobs within 2 weeks and still had the same issue. It has left me stranded 4 times now in the last 3 months. even with putting the keys in the proper cup holder, it still doesn't detect. After 20/30 mins it finally comes around and works.

My dealership likes to argue with me when I tell them what to look for and not just let them "figure it out". Took me a couple months for them to come around and refinish my 2/4 rims that are faded and peeling. Which I would love to know how "environmental hardship" would only effect 2/4 rims to varying levels of fade/peel?!

I am enjoying the Equinox premier they gave me as a courtesy though. Might have to get one for the winter/rain season.

[17rsvert]

Battery condition in the fob SHOULD have nothing to do with them completely not working. If you put the fob in the rear cup holder with the battery removed, the car will still start, if everything is working properly. All the fob battery does is extend the range and allow the remote buttons to function.

[RollaMo]

Originally Posted by 17rsvert

If you put the fob in the rear cup holder with the battery removed, the car will still start

Interesting, I did not know that.
Thanks for that info!

[TJay74]

If your car is a 16-17 there was a TSB for the RKE module that runs the fob system. The TSB is directly related to the fob working at times and then randomly not working for no reason.

The fix is they have to replace the RKE module and reprogram it with the newer firmware. They cant just flash the old RKE module as the new RKE module was update with new hardware for this issue.

I had mine done on my 17 SS 1LE, the RKE module is in the trunk behind the carpet panel on the drivers side of the car.

[Nitefall17]

There is 3 versions of RKE modules, I got the 2019 one put in my car with no problems.

[Aragorn]

Dang. Hopefully it is not the rke.
Thanks for everyone’s responses!

[animefan0611]

Thanks for the info!

Same thing happened to me last week. I went to a supermarket, parked the care and when I tried to shut it off, it gave the message about not being able to detect the key. My keyfob was sharing the cup holder with my phone that's projecting Android Auto. Phone was warm because it was charging so maybe that interfered with the signal? Placed the keyfob on the rear cup holder and was able to shut off the car. I had to lock the car through Onstar though. Got back from grocery shopping and it has been fine since then.

[animefan0611]

Originally Posted by animefan0611

Thanks for the info!

Same thing happened to me last week. I went to a supermarket, parked the care and when I tried to shut it off, it gave the message about not being able to detect the key. My keyfob was sharing the cup holder with my phone that's projecting Android Auto. Phone was warm because it was charging so maybe that interfered with the signal? Placed the keyfob on the rear cup holder and was able to shut off the car. I had to lock the car through Onstar though. Got back from grocery shopping and it has been fine since then.

Interesting. It happened again. This time, I was able to unlock the car but wouldn't let me start it. Placed it in rear cup holder, took a couple of tries before it finally started the car. Got home, fob seemed to work fine (shutting off engine and locking doors). I've changed the batteries on both fobs since the first time it happened.

[craigss50]

Originally Posted by TJay74

If your car is a 16-17 there was a TSB for the RKE module that runs the fob system. The TSB is directly related to the fob working at times and then randomly not working for no reason.

The fix is they have to replace the RKE module and reprogram it with the newer firmware. They cant just flash the old RKE module as the new RKE module was update with new hardware for this issue.

I had mine done on my 17 SS 1LE, the RKE module is in the trunk behind the carpet panel on the drivers side of the car.

Yep I this problem and to my supprise my GMEPP warranty excluded the module and remotes. I argued the case based on TSB and m car was one month out of factory B to B warranty. They did refund about half the $322 the module and installation cost. I was pretty po'd my GMEPP excluded it.

[animefan0611]

Originally Posted by animefan0611

Interesting. It happened again. This time, I was able to unlock the car but wouldn't let me start it. Placed it in rear cup holder, took a couple of tries before it finally started the car. Got home, fob seemed to work fine (shutting off engine and locking doors). I've changed the batteries on both fobs since the first time it happened.

Went to dealer today and they said they will replace the Remote Control Door Lock Receiver.

[Brudda*Termite]

I had three instances where I hit the start/stop button at the bottom of the button while trying to shut the car off and caused its light to go orange. Every time this happened, the car would not see the fob at all for several minutes. It's a pain but if I try to duplicate it on purpose, I can't...