How to Start a Vauxhall with a Dead Key Fob
Starting Your Vauxhall or Opel
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Vauxhall and Opel use several back up start methods for its push button start models. In each case described below, once the key fob is in place, the vehicle can recognize that it is present.
The Ampera features a small hole in the storage compartment on the top of the dashboard. Flip open the mechanical key and push the key into the hole (right). Do NOT attempt to turn the mechanical key! Simply step on the brake, or clutch with a manual transmission, and press the Start / Stop button to start the car as normal.
Astra and Mokka models both use the front cup holder as a back up start location. Drop the key fob into the cup holder with the buttons facing up (right). Again, you can now simply step on the brake, or clutch with a manual transmission, and press the Start / Stop button the start to car as normal.
The Combo, Corsa, Crossland and Grandland models all share a common back up start process. Hold the electronic key with the buttons facing out on the marking on the steering column (right). Press the Start / Stop button with your other hand while stepping on the brake, or clutch with a manual transmission, and the vehicle will start as normal. Note that the key fob must be held against the mark until the car starts.
The Astra Van and Zafira models use a similar process, but the mark has a different appearance. The mark is round with a lock and lines radiating from it inside. And it is close to the Start / Stop button (right). Hold the electronic key with the buttons facing out on the mark. Press the Start / Stop button with your other hand while stepping on the brake, or clutch with a manual transmission, and the vehicle will start as normal. Note again that the key fob must be held against the mark until the car starts.
The Insignia model uses a unique back up location. There is a transmitter pocket behind the front cover of the center console in front of the shifter. Open it and place the electronic key on the spot with the buttons up (right). You can now simply step on the brake, or clutch with a manual transmission, and press the Start / Stop button to start the car as normal.
Finally, the Vivaro uses a slot above the Start / Stop button as a back up (right). The key fob must be slid into the the slot. Once it is there, you can step on the brake, or clutch with a manual transmission, and press the Start / Stop button to start the car as normal.
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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.
The author has 25 years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s College, ME: MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY
Holden uses three key fob or transmitter styles. To get in the vehicle when the key fob battery is dead, a mechanical key will have to retrieved from the fob and used to unlock the car.
The next two (shown to the right) feature a removable mechanical key and are quite similar (one has more buttons than the other). Each has a button on the side of the transmitter (remote control or ‘clicker’) near the key ring end. Press the button, as shown, and pull the key out.
The Commodore, Acadia and and Equinox models are hiding their key holes behind a cover at the back of the driver’s door handle. To remove the cap on the Acadia and Equinox, pull the door handle out to the open position. Insert the key into the slot on the bottom of the cap (number 3, right).
The cap on the Commodore is slightly different but there is still a slot under the cap. Insert the mechanical key into the slot and again hold upward pressure. Then rotate the key upward until the cap comes away.
In the Commodore, open the cover of the center console storage area in front of the shift lever. Place the transmitter in the transmitter pocket beside the power outlet, with the buttons facing up as shown in the image. Remove any additional items that might be in the area. Press the brake pedal and the engine Start / Stop button and you’ll be on your way.
The Equinox uses the left side cup holder as a back up location. Make sure there is nothing, particularly coins, in the cup holder, and simply drop the fob into it with the buttons facing up. The car will recognize the fob and pressing the brake pedal and Start / Stop ignition button will have you on your way.
The Trax, also uses a cup holder as its back up spot. However, there are three cup holders in the center console area, and the choice is the front and is separated from the two behind it. Be sure to use the one in the very front (see the image to right). Drop the key fob into the front cup holder, buttons up, and start the car as normal, using the Start / Stop button while stepping on the brake pedal.
The Spark uses a unique back up start location. The electronic key fob is placed in the center console transmitter pocket, which is in front of the cup holder and alongside the brake handle (image to the left). While in Park, press the brake pedal and press the engine Start/Stop button and you will be on your way.
Finally, the Acadia uses a back up pocket located in the back of the center console (image to the right). Drop transmitter or key fob into the pocket with the key ring up and the buttons facing the front. With the vehicle in Park or Neutral, press the brake pedal and the Start / Stop ignition button as normal. Once again, you will be underway.
Note: If you have made an attempt to start the vehicle without success, there may be residual pressure in the brake system and a new warning light may appear (left) or text message to Step on the Brake. Press the brake pedal very, very hard when trying to start the vehicle again to be sure that the release switch behind the pedal is engaged. Or wait a few minutes and try again.
To start a Mercedes-Benz that uses the tapered SmartKey style, the engine Start / Stop ignition button must be removed. It appears to ‘float’ above the dashboard and is easily pulled away from the ignition lock. Insert the tapered end of the KEYLESS-GO key in the ignition lock and turn it to start and operate old school style.
Beginning in 2017, the ignition lock in AMG roadsters and coupes is found at the back of the center console storage area, as shown in the image. Insert the tapered key fob into the ignition lock and turn it to start and operate old school style.
Models using the new, rounded SmartKey fob styles , shown to the left, require that the fob be placed in a back up location or slot. These models, as of the 2019 model year, are the AMG, C-Class, E-Class and S-Class.
The new SmartKey fob style had spread through nearly the entire product line by the 2019 model year. However, the mark (the image of a metal key with lines radiating from it) is found in or near cup holders, which are at the front of the center console. See the two images at left. The 2021 S-Class Maybach uses the rear cup holder as well (second image) as well as a newer key fob. It is similar to the one shown above.
Also in 2019, Mercedes-Benz introduced the first of its electric and electrified models, the GLC 350e. And while the mark is also found in the cup holder, it too uses the image of the SmartKey (see the image to the right), like the updated C-Class models noted above. This will likely take over all model lines with time.
Finally come a small number of exceptions. Since 2019, the GLE and GLS SUVS use a slot, with the mark of a key with lines radiating from it, is found inside the center console storage area in the front. G-Class SUVs joined them in 2024. See the image to the left. Drop the key fob into the slot and start the vehicle as normal.
Note: If you have made an attempt to start the vehicle without success, there may be residual pressure in the brake system and a new warning light may appear (left) or text message to Step on the Brake. Press the brake pedal very, very hard when trying to start the vehicle again to be sure that the release switch behind the pedal is engaged. Or wait a few minutes and try again.
Early Audi models use a slot in the dashboard but do not use a Start/Stop button. The fob itself is pushed to start or stop the car. If the key fob battery is dead, the vehicle will already recognize the fob when inserted.
In models that do not feature a slot for the fob, look for the symbol of a key with lines radiating from it, as shown. It will be to the right of the steering column on the dashboard (Audi) or on the right side of the steering column itself (VW).
In 2018, the mark is moved to the driver’s side cup holder in the Audi A5 and Q5. This is also true of the A3 and Q3 beginning about 2021. The all electric eTron GT uses this mark as well. The mark is smaller and shaded and so a bit difficult to see. As with the Q7, the key fob can be dropped into the cup holder, and starting the car becomes a one hand (and one foot) operation. Press the Start/Stop button while stepping on the brake. It took two tries to before the key fob was recognized in our test car, but it did work.
However, in 2019, the A5 now has the mark at the front of the center console storage area, as shown to the right. Again the key fob can be dropped onto the spot, and starting the car needs only a single hand (and foot). Press the Start/Stop button while stepping on the brake. Our test car started first time in this case.
The new (2019) Q8, and now the Q7, also has the marking in a cup holder. It is the front one in this case. However, we noted a slot between the cup holders adjacent to the 12 volt power outlet and shaped very much like the key fob, Sure enough, the fob was recognized when placed inside the slot.
Models are now being electrified. The e-tron GT uses the front cup as in the images above. However, the original e-tron and e-tron Sportback the mark is found in front of the of the cup holders (right). We have not had access to all electric models, but a back up location will likely be found in or near the cup holders.
By 2023, the A4 and S4 models sport the mark on the center console, just in front of the console storage area.
The mark in Volkswagen’s new ID4 EV, the mark is moved to the front area of the center console. This follows the trend in Audi models. Originally, the front area is for storage and has removeable spacers. We found the mark by removing the front spacer (first image). Later, the same area was converted to cup holders. The mark is found in the first cup holder (closest to the driver) (second image).
Beginning with the 2020 XC-90 redesign and the newer key fob style, plus Polestar EV models, a sensor location is provided for the key fob. It is found in the second cup holder in the center or tunnel console. An illustration of a key with lines radiating from it can be seen at the bottom of the cup holder.
Note that you will find the mark inside the small center console of the Polestar 2 (right), which is also the location of the second cup holder! Place the key fob in the cup holder. The vehicle will recognize the fob even if the fob’s internal battery is dead. The alarm will be turned off and the car can be started as normal, by turning the Start / Stop switch to the Start position while depressing the brake. Note that the Polestar 2 is started, or powered up, by stepping on the brake.
In the Volvo XC-40, the company’s first all electric model, and subsequently the C40 and EX40 EVs, the mark will be found inside the center console on the bottom and to the front (right). It too features the mark of a key with lines radiating from it. Place the key fob on the mark. The vehicle will recognize the fob even if the fob’s internal battery is dead. The alarm will be turned off and the car can be started as normal.
So, in both the Polestar 3 and 4, the key card is placed on the spot used to charge your smart phone (right), which is at the front of the center console. The key fob for the Polestar 3 can be recharged on this spot, the card reader, as well.
In older, second generation keyless start Volvo models, an ignition slot comes into play. The slot will be found either alongside or below the Start/Stop ignition button. Insert the key fob into the ignition slot. This will turn off the alarm and allow the vehicle to be started as normal by pressing the Start / Stop button while depressing the brake.
The vehicle will recognize the key fob even if the fob’s internal battery is dead.
In first generation keyless start models, the ignition switch is turned in normal conditions, similar to key start vehicles. There is a dummy key that needs to be removed. Press the the button found on the side of the dummy key, which frees it to be pulled away. The key fob can then be inserted in its place and the vehicle can be started (right).
In Chrysler and Dodge vehicles built prior to 2009 and using the rectangular-tipped key, the Engine Start / Stop button must be removed from the ignition switch for key fob use. With the ignition in the Lock position, insert the metal part of the emergency key (or a finger nail!) under the chrome button (above right) and gently pry the button loose. It comes away very easily. Note that the button itself appears to float 
just above the dash.
In 2023, Dodge introduced the Hornet model, and it uses a very different back-up start method. The key fob needs to be placed in the front cup holder (rightt). The fob may need to be removed from a key chain to make this work.