Key Not Detected

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Jul 30, 2025 | 10:06 AM

Pete7874

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Joined: Apr 2014

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From: MI

Key Not Detected

Wife's NX will randomly not detect the key and the vehicle will not start even though the key is in her purse inside the car, like always. Dealer replaced the key fob battery, but the issue keeps happening, alas, it seems totally random, so of course the dealer can't reproduce it when the car is in their possession.

Anyone had this happen? What is the culprit?

I've found another thread (not NX specifically), where the issue seemed to point to the battery. Not sure what battery the dealer installed. I can certainly try another battery if you guys think that's the most likely problem.

Thanks!

Jul 30, 2025 | 10:28 AM

Pete7874

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Joined: Apr 2014

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From: MI

Since it's the easiest thing to do, I went ahead and pulled the battery. The one that was in there tested at 2.97V (unloaded). Seems kind of low for a brand new battery, if the dealer truly replaced it just a month ago. I went ahead and replaced it with a new one which tested at 3.28V.

Figured we can't blame the battery anymore. Let's see if the issue comes up again.

Jul 30, 2025 | 10:44 AM

Droid13

Pole Position

Joined: Dec 2012

Posts: 2,149

Likes: 960

From: Toronto, ON

Was the old one an "Enerjizzer", "NeverReady", or perhaps a "Dura-swell". Those off name brands can sometimes have a very short life. Dealer probably buys them by the barrel for $40. I once took an old button cell battery out of some device that stopped working, I was looking at the battery because it looked odd and then POP, the thing blew up in my face. Fortunately, it didn't have much power and just startled me.

Jul 30, 2025 | 10:52 AM

Pete7874

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From: MI

The old one was "Murata."

Jul 30, 2025 | 11:19 AM

mtnman

Driver

Joined: Apr 2017

Posts: 70

Likes: 34

From: KY

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete7874

I think the dealer probably did replace it, but may not have replaced it with a fresh battery -- just one that had been around the shop for who knows how long.

Jul 31, 2025 | 04:39 AM

Dswhittle

Driver

Joined: Feb 2022

Posts: 54

Likes: 36

From: Ontario

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete7874

The only time I’ve had a “key not detected” problem was whenever I had my key fob too close to my iPhone. If your wife keeps both her fob and her phone in her purse the interference from the phone can/will interfere with the fob signal. The reason the dealer can’t replicate the problem may be that “they don’t use purses”!!😊

Jul 31, 2025 | 03:42 PM

oreon333

Intermediate

Joined: Feb 2024

Posts: 477

Likes: 250

From: MO

I have had a few instances when I was driving, then I would stop the car, the passenger would get out and I would just sit and wait for a while while the car is still running, then the passenger would come back and then when they are back in their seat and close the door, I get the message that key is not detected, which is always confuses me lol

Maybe for me it is happening from all the inactivity on my part, and the key falls a sleep or something

Anyway, I just ignore the message and just drive, and the message goes away. But that is the different from what you are experiencing on your end, with the key not being detected from the get-go, so who knows maybe it is indeed just a bad battery or two. Unless somebody is putting your key to sleep, but you would know that right.