Desperate, Please Help; Car does not detect fob's
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 146
Likes: 13
From: Utah
Desperate, Please Help; Car does not detect fob's
My 06 IS350 is out of warranty and after a three hour drive back from Mount Rainier tonight, I dropped of my friends and when I tried to start the car again, it didn't start. It said "Key is not detected." The fob would not lock/unlock and puddle lights stayed off. I came back later with my other fob and....same thing. Now when I'm in the car, the fob light blinks like it's getting a signal and the batteries in my other fob are fresh. Now my car is abandoned in some random parking lot and Sunday is coming so I can't get a hold of the dealership until Monday.
My search has been fruitless so far. Has anyone else dealt with this problem before? Can anyone recommend a reputable service shop in Seattle? I'm afraid that this is a problem only the stealership can deal with since it involves the encrypted remote system.
Also, anyone know how to unlock the steering wheel without the keys working so I can tow/push the car?
My search has been fruitless so far. Has anyone else dealt with this problem before? Can anyone recommend a reputable service shop in Seattle? I'm afraid that this is a problem only the stealership can deal with since it involves the encrypted remote system.
Also, anyone know how to unlock the steering wheel without the keys working so I can tow/push the car?
Sometimes it's very touchy, I'd keep trying. I've had to hold the brake pedal down really hard before, while moving the fob on and off the start button. If you still can't get it, possibly something like the immobilizer has gone wrong (tho i doubt it.). You can also try flipping the fob onto different sides. Not sure if you want to unplug the battery and reconnect but you could always try that too (disclaimer - should you unplug the battery and get the car to start, don't freakout that the windows don't work. They'll be flashing, simply hold each button up and down for about 5 seconds till it becomes a solid color again). Hope something works for you. Maybe some other members can chime in.
How long have you had these fob's without replacing the batteries? Like someone else said, press the brake hold the key up to the push button. I have had this issue before, but it was because my batteries were dying. If you haven't replaced your batteries and have had this car since 06' I can guarantee they need replacement. For me, I just step on the brake and hold it, let go, then do it again. Eventually it catches signal.
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Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 146
Likes: 13
From: Utah
Thanks for all the suggestions. The text panel in the gauge cluster lights up with the message "key is not detected" and the interior lights come on and off (I know that doesn't mean the car battery is great but it's not completely dead). I disconnected it to reset the computer and that didn't change anything. I have replaced the fob batteries within the last year (and I never use the remote entry) when the display said "replace key battery soon". I'm headed back to try again this morning.
If I need to tow it, how do I unlock the steering wheel?
Thanks again guys.
If I need to tow it, how do I unlock the steering wheel?
Thanks again guys.
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 146
Likes: 13
From: Utah
Just got back from getting the car. After a few more minutes of hitting start with the fob, it started up then yelled at me again about the key not being detected until I left the parking lot. Now that I'm home, remote locks work fine, etc. I wonder if it's because of some sort of radio interference like this guy had:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...b-problem.html
I really hope this is it and not a sign of an impending repair. I drive to some pretty remote places and this would seriously suck to die in the middle of nowhere. Thanks for all the suggestions.
One last question though, how do you unlock the steering if the key doesn't work?
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...b-problem.html
I really hope this is it and not a sign of an impending repair. I drive to some pretty remote places and this would seriously suck to die in the middle of nowhere. Thanks for all the suggestions.
One last question though, how do you unlock the steering if the key doesn't work?
Interference could have been the case. I've seen this happen a lot. The way I learned about his was because one day I had my laptop on my lap lol....and the fob underneath on my pants. When I went to start the car it said the same thing. I was like huh? Then I said hmm maybe my computer is blocking the signal, so I lifted my laptop and low and behold, the car started when I pressed it again. I wonder what exactly blocks the signal.
Glad you got your car started and made it home without having to get it towed. As for how to unlock the steering wheel, I can't help there.
Glad you got your car started and made it home without having to get it towed. As for how to unlock the steering wheel, I can't help there.
Pole Position
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 300
Likes: 2
From: WA
I am thinking it has something to do with the car battery. Now that you have driven the car, it is charged back up. I have run the battery down and the lights come on but could not get it started. I think it is my Harleys, where the battery has to have so much of a charge to be able to start the car up.
I would say have the battery checked but sometimes when you do that, the shop will recommend changing the battery even if they do not detect anything wrong.
I would say have the battery checked but sometimes when you do that, the shop will recommend changing the battery even if they do not detect anything wrong.
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 146
Likes: 13
From: Utah
I really don't think the car battery is to blame. I had just come home from a 120mile drive and stopped the car with everything off for ~5 minutes and then tried to start it back up. Even after it did start back up and was idling, it yelled at me again about the key not being detected. It only shut up after I left the lot. Good thing my friend is moving from the apartment in a week. Otherwise, I'd have to find new buddies.
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