Q: Smartkey not working like it should

asked by on January 28, 2016

The smartkey will not unlock the door of my car unless the car is started first.

Door does not lock or open Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

A basic check of the key fob battery should be performed as issues can arise from a dying battery. If the key fob is malfunctioning it could be a connection issue. The smart key can be reset and re-calibrated to the vehicle to halt any further issues. A diagnostic can be done on your car’s lock and key to figure out why it is not working and what repair is needed.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How do you use the USB port?
If your car is equipped with a USB port (not all Fusions have them, so check to make sure yours is so equipped), you have the ability to connect a wide range of devices to your radio, including flash sticks,...
Car not staying in gear
Hi. You did not mention if you had an automatic or manual transmission. This can be caused by two different problems. The first cause could be that the transmission mounts allow movement of the transmission and knocks it out of...
I have a trouble code that states my fuel pressure rail sensor is inappropriately high.
Hello there, a few common faults will cause your 2010 Volkswagen CC to have a high fuel pressure code. There are two paths for this, either your car has high fuel pressure, or the car is reading the fuel pressure...
Why does my car go forward in reverse?
Hello, the automatic transmission has 3 systems; electronic, hydraulic, and mechanical. What describe could be an internal mechanical failure with transmission. There also could be a hydraulic failure internal with transmission creating only the forward gears circuit to operate. The...
P0010 -"A" Camshift Position Actuator Circuit/Open Bank 1 & OBD Bulb check failed on smog test - How to search for mechanic?
Hi there. The P0010 (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0010-obd-ii-trouble-code-a-camshaft-position-actuator-circuit-bank-1-by-paul-lancette) code is coming on for the VVT-I (variable valve timing with intelligence) system is malfunctioning. Changing the engine oil and filter could solve this issue and fix most of the problems. But if changing the...
Steering wheel Problem
Your vehicle is equipped with electric power steering. Failure of the steering wheel to return, and re-center itself, can be caused by vehicle misalignment (in particular, caster is off), damage to the suspension, or faults in the electric power steering...
Engine light on
Check engine lights are just an indication to the operator that there has been a failure in the system and the computer will store a failure code for the failure. The problem you are having may be a misfire in...
my car is overheating i checked the fans and they dont kick on. only time they go on is when the ac is on
Hello, thank you for writing in. When diagnosing a fan problem like this you must consider that the fans are technically working. They are simply not being switched on when they are supposed to. You may be looking at a...
My car leaked all the oil from underneath the car
This suggests you may have a leak resulting from a failing gasket somewhere in your engine. As you know, there are many different places in your motor that are sealed by gaskets. I would suggest narrowing this down by placing...

Related articles

Symptoms of a Bad or Faulty Door Lock Switch
If the door locks are not functioning well or the door lock button is broken, you may need to replace the door lock switch.
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Trunk Lock Actuator
Common signs include the trunk not opening even after hearing a click, the release buttons not working, and an actuator that doesn't stop clicking.
How Long Does a Glow Plug Last?
A A diesel engine is a very powerful and complicated piece of machinery. There are a variety of things that have to work together in order for the diesel engine to fire off and run as intended. Just like a...