Drove my 2008 ES to work today and all was fine, but when I went out at lunch it wouldn't start and I got the key not detected error message. Tried holding down the brake and putting the keyfob on the ignition switch and still nothing. After work I got a new battery for the fob and everything worked great again (voltage on old battery was 1.9V). But why didn't the proximity sensor work to let me start the car with the fob on the ignition? How do I diagnose that problem?

 

Maybe you did not do it properly. You put and hold the key over the button and wait for 2-3 seconds until you hear a beep, then you press the button.

 

yeah, I held it on there for a long time and tried multiple times. Didn't work.

 

Do you have a case for the key or it is naked?

 

I don't have any type of case for the fob, it's a metal key that is inserted into a plastic fob, it's just like I got it from the used car place, one fob only. Are you suggesting these fobs shoule be kept in some type of farraday cage to avoid being discharged by random electronics?


this is what my key fob looks like

 

OK, I understand.

No I thought you are keepin it in some case so the RF cannot see it.