Car no longer accepts key fob signals

RickErnst · 11-20-2017, 04:40 PM

Was wondering if anyone else has had this problem...

On 2 occasions in the last week my car (2017 2LT with 1,400 miles on it) has stopped responding to my key fob after 1. using it to open the door and 2. to remote start it.

The first occasion was in a store parking lot last week.. I unlocked it and opened the trunk to put stuff in, closed the trunk and stepped away to put a cart away. When I got back to the car it was unlocked as expected but not a thing turned on when I hit the start button. It said it could not find the key fob. Of course after trying to start it the alarm went off and I got the text from OnStar that my car was being broken into.

I called them quickly and explained the problem and the tech said that I should put the fob in the cup holder or center console since that is where the sensor is. I tried several locations but no luck. Then, out of nowhere the car responded and turned on (after again hitting the start button). I assumed that maybe the battery in that fob was low and figured I would use the other fob when I got home until I could get to the dealer to have the battery changed.

For the last few days no problems. Then today, I remote started the car from the house with fob #2 and when I went out to get in the car, the door sensor and the fob would not unlock or open the car (still running by the way...). I went back in the house to get the wife's keys and when I came back out the engine had stopped as expected but now the fob worked. WTH???

I drove right to the dealer with my wife's car hoping they would replace the batteries in both fobs but they told me there is no way the batteries are dead that fast and that I should make an appointment to have them check it, which I did for Saturday (1st available).

Now I have to wonder if the fobs and sensor in the car are reliable enough to use them over the next few days. Plus, I'm concerned that any removal of panels in the center console will end up as creaks and rattles in the future...

Any thoughts or previous experience would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Soleil · 11-20-2017, 05:04 PM

Hi Rick,

Have a look here Key fobs stopped working!!!

Marty McFlew · 11-20-2017, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickErnst

Was wondering if anyone else has had this problem...

On 2 occasions in the last week my car (2017 2LT with 1,400 miles on it) has stopped responding to my key fob after 1. using it to open the door and 2. to remote start it.

The first occasion was in a store parking lot last week.. I unlocked it and opened the trunk to put stuff in, closed the trunk and stepped away to put a cart away. When I got back to the car it was unlocked as expected but not a thing turned on when I hit the start button. It said it could not find the key fob. Of course after trying to start it the alarm went off and I got the text from OnStar that my car was being broken into.

I called them quickly and explained the problem and the tech said that I should put the fob in the cup holder or center console since that is where the sensor is. I tried several locations but no luck. Then, out of nowhere the car responded and turned on (after again hitting the start button). I assumed that maybe the battery in that fob was low and figured I would use the other fob when I got home until I could get to the dealer to have the battery changed.

For the last few days no problems. Then today, I remote started the car from the house with fob #2 and when I went out to get in the car, the door sensor and the fob would not unlock or open the car (still running by the way...). I went back in the house to get the wife's keys and when I came back out the engine had stopped as expected but now the fob worked. WTH???

I drove right to the dealer with my wife's car hoping they would replace the batteries in both fobs but they told me there is no way the batteries are dead that fast and that I should make an appointment to have them check it, which I did for Saturday (1st available).

Now I have to wonder if the fobs and sensor in the car are reliable enough to use them over the next few days. Plus, I'm concerned that any removal of panels in the center console will end up as creaks and rattles in the future...

Any thoughts or previous experience would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Now you see...this is why there should be a physical back up key. No one can tell me that an electronic signal is more dependable than a physical key.

LuvMI · 11-20-2017, 05:15 PM

Change them out for a few days. Mine fixed itself.

camaromike77 · 11-21-2017, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soleil

Hi Rick,

Have a look here Key fobs stopped working!!!

GREAT link! I am in there as well, as this also happened to me........

RickErnst · 11-21-2017, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soleil

Hi Rick,

Have a look here Key fobs stopped working!!!

Thanks for the link. I did a search but that thread did not come up as an option. Hmmm.

I'm tempted to just let this go a while and see if it is just an interference issue. The first time was right outside the door of a large grocery store so perhaps that is the reason.

Would still love a permanent fix though...

TimsZ28 · 11-26-2017, 09:59 PM

Don't be scared to take it in.

But to clarify, the location is to lay the RKE (key-fob) flat in the REAR most cup holder with nothing else in there, and it should start, with a completely dead RKE transmitter or not.

You could be onto something with interference. RF interference could be the case for sure. I have a RFID safe wallet that will block my RKE if it is in my pocket. It will block my hotel door keys as well. Parked too close to a Department store door could have been it, some security gates could do this as well. Even some of the aftermarket LED lights can put off RFI (interference). Another reason you have the hard key to get in the car just in case. If it becomes a big issue for you and you cannot find the cause there are little RFI meters that will help you locate the cause.

Of course this is given that there is not a real issue here as I do not know you or your situation and you have had this happen a couple times already. You have other gate/security/work door remotes/cards, USB devices, RFID devices, or anything similar on the same key ring or bag pocket as the RKE by chance?.

11-20-2017, 04:40 PM	#1
RickErnst Rick's6inNJ Drives: 2017 Vert 2LT RS V6 Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: New Joisey Posts: 57 View My Garage	Car no longer accepts key fob signals Was wondering if anyone else has had this problem... On 2 occasions in the last week my car (2017 2LT with 1,400 miles on it) has stopped responding to my key fob after 1. using it to open the door and 2. to remote start it. The first occasion was in a store parking lot last week.. I unlocked it and opened the trunk to put stuff in, closed the trunk and stepped away to put a cart away. When I got back to the car it was unlocked as expected but not a thing turned on when I hit the start button. It said it could not find the key fob. Of course after trying to start it the alarm went off and I got the text from OnStar that my car was being broken into. I called them quickly and explained the problem and the tech said that I should put the fob in the cup holder or center console since that is where the sensor is. I tried several locations but no luck. Then, out of nowhere the car responded and turned on (after again hitting the start button). I assumed that maybe the battery in that fob was low and figured I would use the other fob when I got home until I could get to the dealer to have the battery changed. For the last few days no problems. Then today, I remote started the car from the house with fob #2 and when I went out to get in the car, the door sensor and the fob would not unlock or open the car (still running by the way...). I went back in the house to get the wife's keys and when I came back out the engine had stopped as expected but now the fob worked. WTH??? I drove right to the dealer with my wife's car hoping they would replace the batteries in both fobs but they told me there is no way the batteries are dead that fast and that I should make an appointment to have them check it, which I did for Saturday (1st available). Now I have to wonder if the fobs and sensor in the car are reliable enough to use them over the next few days. Plus, I'm concerned that any removal of panels in the center console will end up as creaks and rattles in the future... Any thoughts or previous experience would be appreciated. Thanks!

11-26-2017, 09:59 PM	#7
TimsZ28 Drives: '16 2SS, '14 Z71 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Arkansas Posts: 126	Don't be scared to take it in. But to clarify, the location is to lay the RKE (key-fob) flat in the REAR most cup holder with nothing else in there, and it should start, with a completely dead RKE transmitter or not. You could be onto something with interference. RF interference could be the case for sure. I have a RFID safe wallet that will block my RKE if it is in my pocket. It will block my hotel door keys as well. Parked too close to a Department store door could have been it, some security gates could do this as well. Even some of the aftermarket LED lights can put off RFI (interference). Another reason you have the hard key to get in the car just in case. If it becomes a big issue for you and you cannot find the cause there are little RFI meters that will help you locate the cause. Of course this is given that there is not a real issue here as I do not know you or your situation and you have had this happen a couple times already. You have other gate/security/work door remotes/cards, USB devices, RFID devices, or anything similar on the same key ring or bag pocket as the RKE by chance?. __________________ '16 2SS M6 & '14 Z71

11-20-2017, 05:04 PM	#2
Soleil Drives: Camaro 50th anniversary edition Join Date: May 2017 Location: Europe Posts: 2,203 View My Garage	Hi Rick, Have a look here Key fobs stopped working!!! __________________ Soleil _____________________________________________ A car is fast enough, if you fear to unlock it in the morning." (Walter Roehrl)

11-20-2017, 05:15 PM	#4
LuvMI Lovin the growl... Drives: 2018 2SS Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Rogers, Arkansas Posts: 926	Change them out for a few days. Mine fixed itself.

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