Hi ClubLexus,

In the 4 months since I purchased my LS430, I have been enjoying the ability to walk up to my Lexus, unlock the doors, and start the engine without taking the keys out of my pocket. Recently, this feature has stopped working, requiring me to unlock the doors from the buttons on the keys and physically insert them into the keyhole to start the car.

Has anyone else encountered this, and if so would you mind sharing how you remedied the problem?

I’d love to get the full key functionality back without spending $400+ on a new set, but if that’s what’s required I suppose that’s the path I’ll go down.

C Money

 

Make sure this is not off. This is what AI says...The smart key (smart access) button in a 2005 Lexus LS430 is located under the driver’s side dashboard, typically near the steering column. It is a small push-button switch, often situated near the tire pressure monitoring reset button, that enables or disables the keyless entry and start system.

 

After ensuring it is on, before getting a new key, I'd wonder if it is the car has a problem. Can you not get into any doors or trunk? Could be sensor on 1 door... when you are in the car, can you start it without inserting the key? If so, it is not the key ... etc. Also try changing the battery, cr2032 if I recall, but if it works whe you press the key buttons, it is probably good.

FWIW, my son has a valet key, so to save batterywhen he drove it very short hops, I turned mine off. Rarely miss it. I pull my key out to lock the house, etc. But it is a nice feature... just not critical.