jpv7774

My 2004 has smart key....most of us on this forum I believe have this feature. For those who dont...its the deal when u can open your car door by just grabbing the locked door handle w keys in pocket and it will open.......u can also start the car w no key.........so here is my question....every one out of 5 starts while inserting the fob device into the ignition....the fob device will not sink into the ignition switch which leads me to remove the key and start over....this usually takes about 3 tries then it goes in and I can start the car. Note......I dont use the smart key feature do to parasitic battery drain from using this feature......I only drive my car once a week so with the feature left on it would drain my battery as it is always searching for key signals.........

To add to the frustration while trying and failing to insert the key....my steering wheel is going up and down as it should...but I hate to run it up down up down up down.....

I have lately been having success by not putting foot on brake when I insert the key....but not sure if thats just luck.....

Is there a sure way to get the key to work every time?

rkw77080

Do you have a key ring on your FOB?

jpv7774

Huh.....yes I have a key ring on mine but am always cautious to let the keys dangle cleanly. I insert the fob w the ring on the fob on the bottom.....opposite as shown in the pic.
.......good info though........
Thank you

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

May be an issue with the ignition switch. Since you do not drive very often have you considered using a battery tender or just disabing the smart key until the day you drive it and then just reaching down and enabling the system? Also, are you sure your battery is not the culprit. Have you performed a parasitic drain test?

jpv7774

I have smart key turned off....its just a little button under the dash. I personally never let my battery get run down.....I read about it on this forum ..this feature draining batts.....example people leaving car at airport for a week and when they return they have dead battery....it turned out to be smart key.

I dont like the feature...I am too paranoid about my car being locked or un locked.

JffGRY706

why don't you just use the valet key.

jpv7774

JFRY.....not a bad idea...never thought of it. I like things to work as they are supposed to.....So to be clear this malfunction doesnt happen sayyyyyy often enough to get me to freak out....but often enough to annoy me. Im not even sure how to use the valet key. I have an extra fob...not sure if its valet or regular......I would need to read my manual a bit to understand the set up. Is the protruding key inside the fob just for emergency like your fob not functioning and does it open the door and start the car? Ya I know......read the manual !!!

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

I always leave my smart key on when I leave town. I have left my car at long term parking for as long as 32 days without a problem starting the vehicle. So as long as you don't have a parasite drain then you will not have a problem.

JffGRY706

I only had a valet key when I found my car. works like a GM key except no can open the trunk. I had to open trunk from inside the car. once I bought the smart key I just loved it. funny because I thought I did not want it at first."who needs that crap"

06430

This happened with mine when I got in the car at the store the other day, I have the smart key switch on. I grabbed the handle the door unlocked but then the ignition wouldnt turn with or without the key. I also got a message on the cluster that said check smart key, after trying to turn it about ten times it finally did. Still not sure what it was.

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

Are you sure it was not the steering wheel lock locking the ignition. You sometimes need to turn the wheel to one side or another if the lock is engaged.

Also, if you have not replaced the fob battery recently I would do this as well. I replaced mine every 6 months whether it tells me low battery or not.

RBW

Does anyone know where I can get the insides of my key fob? The inside of the key fell out when my wife was driving it and when we realized it, the insides were gone. Key does not work without device inside of key.
Thanks,
Robert