Low battery warning on Key Fob

[discotwinturbo]

Guys, A fellow forum member is hitting the GRR in the morning.

He has taken both keys with him, and has been getting an intermittent "low battery" warning for his KeyFob.

One of the keys he has used since day one. He has placed a new battery in this key.

The other key, never used, was initially not working, so he cleaned the terminals and all good.

Warning still persists occasionally.

Obvious concern is not being able to start the car once he travels more remote. We hit the CSR on the 20th July.

Have suggested maybe a full reboot. Have also suggested removing battery from the key that had not been used, and take it far enough away from his D4.

What do you guys think ? Should he be worried ? What other suggestions can others come up with ?

I think he will be fine.

Brett....

[Graeme]

My wife's key that has never had its battery replaced (Nov 09 build) causes the warning if her key gets to the car first. This has been occurring for the last couple of years so the warning is very premature.

The battery is CR2032 and is marked on the battery drawer.

[Fred Nerk]

You can start the car even when the battery is flat (in the key). Check the manual, but I remember reading that starting is achieved by holding the key under the steering column and pressing the start button as normal.

[BMKal]

Had the same warning when went across to SA at Easter Brett. Wife had the spare key with her, which had not been used since trip to Tassie a year or so before.

As Graeme said, whether the alarm comes up or not depends on which key gets into the car first and is sensed by the system. If the presence of a second key with a low battery is what is setting off the alarm, the alarm can be cancelled simply by pushing the "unlock" button on the "good" key when both keys are inside the car. This action seems to make the car recognize the "good" key and ignore the other one.

As an added safeguard, I always carry some spare key fob batteries in an envelope in the glovebox (battery type CR2032). They cost bugger all and very easy to change.

[Ferret]

My wife's key that has never had its battery replaced (Nov 09 build) causes the warning if her key gets to the car first.

I think this the cause of the warnings. One good key which is in use and one marginal key which is carried but not in use.

[Graeme]

If the presence of a second key with a low battery is what is setting off the alarm, the alarm can be cancelled simply by pushing the "unlock" button on the "good" key when both keys are inside the car. This action seems to make the car recognize the "good" key and ignore the other one.

I used this a few times yesterday when my wife's key even with its new battery still set off the message. Previously I would restart the engine.

[LRD414]

.... my wife's key even with its new battery still set off the message.....

I wonder why it still alarms even with new battery?

Scott

[Graeme]

The new battery was a LR one that was meant to be fitted around 3 years ago after a service but not fitted because the original one still worked - presumably now not new enough.