Category: Dead Key FOBS

Kia back up entry update includes a new entry method

Kia LogoKia back up entry update

We have a new Kia back up entry update and, very much like we stated for Hyundai, the new processes make us wish they’d make up their minds. Back up entry processes are necessary for those moments when the key fob’s battery dies, which happens all too often. There is a brand new way to expose the key hole on the new EV9 and, again like parent Hyundai, the company has a new mechanical key that is separate from the key fob. Kia also has new digital — smart phone — access options.

G90 key hole coverThe EV9 uses a one-piece handle, but a piece still needs to be removed to get a shot at the key hole. To do so, the door handle needs to be held open. Then the small somewhat flimsy cover needs to be removed (right). We used a finger nail in the video we did of the process, but the mechanical key may work better. Check out the video here.

We’ll say again, and keep saying it, that we really dislike the idea of mechanical keys not being integrated into the fob. The mechanical keys can easily be lost or simply left behind, and digital options on the smart phone have proven to be less than 100% effective and requires the start battery to be charged. A mechanical key is always 100% effective!

Smart Keys or Intelligent Keys, or Access Keys – or whatever the manufacturer of your chooses to call them – that let you into your car and start it with just a touch use up their internal batteries at alarming rates, catching busy drivers unawares – even though the car had tried to warn you.

Our goal is to help you feel safe – and keep you moving or get you moving if at all possible – rather than leave you fretting whenever your key fob stops working. The instructions for getting into and starting most keyless start cars can be found on our pages – without roadside assistance.

You can see the back entry page here. BTW, the page has become so unwieldy we intend to separate the three manufacturers. Soon.

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Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the  use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.

These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.

Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/09/kia-back-up-entry-update-includes-a-new-entry-method/

Video page overhaul nearly complete

Video ThumbnailVideo page overhaul

We just completed a major video pages overhaul that results in the removal of one page and an attempt at a table of contents (TOC) that made a mess of the whole remaining page.

We did find a TOC generator plug-in that we will attempt to use on another day.

The move is the first step intended at simplifying the site. With so many videos from so many manufacturers and over 1,000 symbols and indicators, the site has become quite unwieldy and likely difficult to navigate for the average user. We hope over time to make the site far more user friendly.

The video page consists of links to some 200+ videos intended to help drivers overcome issues created by dead key fob batteries, including getting into and starting the car and replacing the battery in the fob.

Smart Keys or Intelligent Keys, or Access Keys – or whatever the manufacturer of your chooses to call them – that let you into your car and start it with just a touch use up their internal batteries at alarming rates, catching busy drivers unawares – even though the car had tried to warn you.

Our goal is to help you feel safe – and keep you moving or get you moving if at all possible – rather than leave you fretting whenever your key fob stops working. The instructions for getting into and starting most keyless start cars can be found on our pages – without roadside assistance.

You can see the overhauled video page here. Watch for a TOC in the near future!

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Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.

These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.

Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/09/video-page-overhaul-nearly-complete/

Why the alarm sounds when you unlock a keyless start car with its mechanical key!

Dead fob iconUnlock a Keyless Start Car

For reasons we could not initially fathom, when we would unlock a keyless start car with its own mechanical key would set off the alarm. We have some 150 videos on our YouTube channel that attest to this. Ultimately we would warn that the alarm may go off, we’ve come to realize that we do this too late in the videos, leaving drivers “alarmed” themselves!

We wondered why for years and realized why some year later but did not share that information with you.

We’ll correct that here and begin a broader correction on YouTube. So here we go…

The reason the alarm sounds is that the physical key is and remains too easily copy. When they were first introduced, a clay mold would have been needed but, since the introduction of 3D printing, all that is needed is an electronic scan of a key and an unscrupulous person could get inside and steal anything valuable.

The alarm turns off when the fob is recognized while using the back up start method. The car then knows that the mechanical key is not a copy. Only the presence of the electronics in the fob guarantees that the use of the mechanical key is done so by the owner of the vehicle itself.

Setting off the alarm is disconcerting at best and suggests we should have been more judicious in our videos when passing along the possibility of the alarm sounding. Meaning we should warn our viewers of the possibility at the start of each video!

We are considered re-doing every video in our collection, but won’t. It would actually hurt the channel, as each video’s views would be lost. What we will do is offer a warning in each write-up and hopefully help avoid scaring the living daylights out of you…

Smart Keys or Intelligent Keys, or Access Keys – or whatever the manufacturer of your chooses to call them – that let you into your car and start it with just a touch use up their internal batteries at alarming rates, catching busy drivers unawares – even though the car had tried to warn you.

Our goal is to help you feel safe – and keep you moving or get you moving if at all possible – rather than leave you fretting whenever your key fob stops working. The instructions for getting into and starting most keyless start cars can be found on our pages – without roadside assistance.

Our YouTube channel is here and our video page is here.

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Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.

These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.

Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/09/why-the-alarm-sounds-when-you-unlock-a-keyless-start-car-with-its-mechanical-key/

Hyundai Motor Grp repeats irksome mechanical key problem in new Genesis models

Genesis LogoMechanical key problem

We just completed an update of Genesis back up entry processes, made necessary when the battery in the key fob dies, and we are discouraged to say that the parent company has repeated the mechanical key problem we feel now exists in the Hyundai line. When we get to Kia models later this week, we’ll likely find the same thing!

Genesis mechanical keyGenesis has added digital lock and unlock options which is evidently being used as an excuse to keep a mechanical key separate from the key fob. It is kept in its own little case (right).

As we noted in our Hyundai update, we really dislike this development. The mechanical keys can easily be lost or simply left behind, and digital options on the smart phone have proven to be less than 100% effective and requires the start battery to be charged. A mechanical key is always 100% effective!

G90 key hole coverThere is also a cover hiding the key hole in the G90 that is revealed when the handle is pulled out. This is likely protection from the elements. Its a simple swing out piece that moves towards the rear of the car (right). The key hole is revealed and the key can be used to unlock the car.

Smart Keys or Intelligent Keys, or Access Keys – or whatever the manufacturer of your chooses to call them – that let you into your car and start it with just a touch use up their internal batteries at alarming rates, catching busy drivers unawares – even though the car had tried to warn you.

Our goal is to help you feel safe – and keep you moving or get you moving if at all possible – rather than leave you fretting whenever your key fob stops working. The instructions for getting into and starting most keyless start cars can be found on our pages – without roadside assistance.

You can see the back entry page here.

——————————————————————-

Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the  use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.

These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.

Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/09/hyundai-motor-grp-repeats-irksome-mechanical-key-problem-in-new-genesis-models/

Replacing a General Motors key fob battery

GM logoGeneral Motors key fob battery

We recently added a new video replacing a General Motors key fob battery. The fob is used in various Buick, Chevrolet and GMC models and Cadillac uses a mirror version of the same fob.

The fob uses a larger battery than is typically seen, a CR 2450. It will last longer than the more common CR 2032. The embedded mechanical key and the tip of a very small screwdriver will be needed as tools.

The video has been added to our Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC, and pages here, here, here, and here respectively. Overall, we now have a seven videos that help drivers of GM models in the event that the battery in the key fob dies. These videos will help you get in and start your vehicle even if it is not responding to the key fob, as well as replacing the battery in the fob.

Smart Keys or Intelligent Keys, or Access Keys – or whatever the manufacturer of your chooses to call them – that let you into your car and start it with just a touch use up their internal batteries at alarming rates, catching busy drivers unawares – even though the car had tried to warn you.

Our goal is to help you feel safe – and keep you moving or get you moving if at all possible – rather than leave you fretting whenever your key fob stops working. The instructions for getting into and starting most keyless start cars can be found on our pages – without roadside assistance.

——————————————————————-

Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.

These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.

Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/09/replacing-a-general-motors-key-fob-battery/

Hyundai back up entry update adds a new entry method and mechanical key problem

Hyundai logoHyundai back up entry update

We have a new Hyundai back up entry update and the new processes make us wish they’d make up their minds. Back up entry processes are necessary for those moments when the key fob’s battery dies, which happens all too often. There is a brand new way to expose the key hole on the new Kona and, with the addition of digital access options, the company has a new mechanical key that is separate from the key fob.

2024 Kona door handleThe redesigned Kona uses a two-piece handle that looks like those on the Santa Cruz, Sonata and Tucson. However, the piece that needs to be removed is done so from behind (right)! To get at the key hole, lift the door handle and hold it in the open position. Slip the mechanical key into the open slot in the cap from behind it and rotate the cap upwards. It will come free, exposing the key hole. We have yet to try this.

2022 Hyundai mechanical keyThe new key fob that results in a separate mechanical key was actually introduced in 2022, with the introduction of the Ionic 6. This was also the first model to have a digital access option. To use the mechanical key (right), a protective cover must be removed and its handle rotated down as the illustration shows.

We really dislike this development. The mechanical keys can easily be lost or simply left behind, and digital options on the smart phone have proven to be less than 100% effective and requires the start battery to be charged. A mechanical key is always 100% effective!

Smart Keys or Intelligent Keys, or Access Keys – or whatever the manufacturer of your chooses to call them – that let you into your car and start it with just a touch use up their internal batteries at alarming rates, catching busy drivers unawares – even though the car had tried to warn you.

Our goal is to help you feel safe – and keep you moving or get you moving if at all possible – rather than leave you fretting whenever your key fob stops working. The instructions for getting into and starting most keyless start cars can be found on our pages – without roadside assistance.

You can see the back entry page here.

——————————————————————-

Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the  use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.

These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.

Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/09/hyundai-back-up-entry-update-adds-a-new-entry-method-and-mechanical-key-problem/

Updated Open and Start GMC video dropped on our YouTube channel

GMC logoOpen and Start GMC

We have updated our video on our YouTube channel demonstrating how to open and start GMC trucks and SUVs with a dead key fob battery, covering procedural changes in 2021 through 2024 models.

Sierra LD buckets start locationThese include are the Acadia, Canyon, Hummer, Sierra, Terrain, and Yukon.

The update is necessary due to changes in the back up start procedure in the Acadia SUV and the Sierra pick up with bucket seats in 2024. The Acadia now uses the left cup holder, while the Sierra now has a spot alongside the cup holders (right).

You can see the new video on our YouTube channel here, or on our GMC page here.

Smart Keys or Intelligent Keys, or Access Keys – or whatever the manufacturer of your chooses to call them – that let you into your car and start it with just a touch use up their internal batteries at alarming rates, catching busy drivers unawares – even though the car had tried to warn you.

Our goal is to help you feel safe – and keep you moving or get you moving if at all possible – rather than leave you fretting whenever your key fob stops working. The instructions for getting into and starting most keyless start cars can be found on our pages – without roadside assistance.

——————————————————————-

Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.

These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.

Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/09/updated-open-and-start-gmc-video-dropped-on-our-youtube-channel/