Notices
RX-8 Discussion General discussion about the RX-8 that doesn't fit in one of the specialty forums.

HELP!!! Car Won't Detect Key Fob

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 03-21-2014, 09:16 PM
  #1  
Registered
Thread Starter
 
DR. Victor Wankel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
HELP!!! Car Won't Detect Key Fob

I need help desperately! My car is stuck in a spot. The key fob lets me lock and unlock the car but refuses to let me turn the ignition. Not flooded. Steering wheel is locked. I can unlock the doors and lock them again, but can't turn the ignition or the steering wheel. What can I do? Gonna get a tow soon. Any rx8 owners in the city of Chicago??


I know this forum can be rough and there are a lot of haters on here, but I'm just a human looking for help from other humans and really need help on this badly right now. Please respond with whatever you've got. I had the battery on the keyfob replaced recently maybe four or five months ago. please help.
Old 03-21-2014, 09:30 PM
  #2  
5BR Baby!!!!!
iTrader: (1)
 
TOMCATS8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Elmont LI nyc
Posts: 650
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Check the ign key 15a fuse in the engine bay
Old 03-21-2014, 09:33 PM
  #3  
5BR Baby!!!!!
iTrader: (1)
 
TOMCATS8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Elmont LI nyc
Posts: 650
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Also disconnect the battery for a couple minutes... And while its disconnected hold down on the brake pedal.... Reconnect the battery and try to start the car
Old 03-22-2014, 09:59 AM
  #4  
Rotorhead
iTrader: (1)
 
kops's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Hamilton, ON
Posts: 282
Received 33 Likes on 25 Posts
If this is a 2006+ with the keyless 'smart' key then you can pop the plastic cap off of the ignition and use the slide out valet key on your card to get you on road.

If it isn't, then I'm not sure
Old 03-22-2014, 11:26 AM
  #5  
Registered
iTrader: (1)
 
mesinajosh's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
When my steering wheel was locked. I remember holding the brake pedal and turning the key at the same time. You could have a different problem, but its worth a try
Old 03-22-2014, 12:21 PM
  #6  
Registered
 
Nedash's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Hamburg, Germany
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Surprised that no-one asked yet, but maybe it is just not clear for me:

Is the ignition physically not turning, or does turning the key just not turn on the car?

If it is not able to turn physically, you might have a little problem with the locked steering wheel. It might work to just turn the wheel a bit in either direction and gently try turning the ignition again.
The following users liked this post:
Dodo23 (03-03-2023)
Old 03-24-2014, 01:25 PM
  #7  
Registered
 
jasonrxeight's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Omaha, NE
Posts: 3,487
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
try wiggle the steering wheel. maybe the steering wheel lock is preventing the key from turning.
Old 03-24-2014, 02:27 PM
  #8  
Sheep Dog
iTrader: (2)
 
hoosier1104's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Cruising down the street
Posts: 518
Received 19 Likes on 14 Posts
Gently turn the wheel in either direction, you should be able to do that. Hold the wheel and turn the key. That should unlock the steering wheel and be able to start the car. The Chicago thing, I am sorry. They are ruthless up there about parking.
Old 02-18-2017, 09:56 AM
  #9  
Registered
 
DragonLord3688's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'm having the same problem

I'm also having the same problem. The ignition will not turn with proximity key.. Sometimes I was able to move the key in and out of the door jamb and it would register. But the keyless lock in the handle doesn't work either.. The fob itself works and can lock and unlock and open trunk. But can't start without valet key. Please advise.
Old 02-22-2017, 01:05 PM
  #10  
Registered
 
liondogs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Stanwood, Washington
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Replace the battery in the key FOB. I had the same problem were I could not turn the key. The problem was intermittent. Replaced the battery in the key FOB and the problem went away. It appeared that the car could not detect the key because the battery was low.
Old 02-22-2017, 02:01 PM
  #11  
If ya aint first yer last
iTrader: (1)
 
atwood_101's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Also having the same problem as dragonlord..
Tried replacing the battery. All buttons on fob work no problem. Just can't turn the ignition without the valet key also door handle button on the exterior doesn't work either. Back to the search bar I go!
Old 02-22-2017, 05:05 PM
  #12  
Registered
 
autotechwilliam's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Check resistence
Old 02-22-2017, 06:37 PM
  #13  
Registered
 
DragonLord3688's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Replaced battery, tested both the old and new and has proper voltage... Buttons on the fob work perfectly. But as the previous poster wrote as well as my own... The external handle button doesn't work. Nor does the proximity start... The red KEY light will just blink when attempting to turn it ...

Like i said... it was at one point i could shut the door, try it, if it ffailed, i could open the door, move the fob through thedoor jam and back in, and shut the door, and it'd work... sometimes i'd have to do it more than once but it would eventually work... Not anymore now though...
Old 02-23-2017, 06:09 AM
  #14  
Registered
 
liondogs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Stanwood, Washington
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I am now wondering if maybe the programming of the FOB has got scrambled and the FOB needs to be reprogrammed to the car. Either that or the FOB has gone bad and needs to be replaced.
Old 02-23-2017, 07:54 AM
  #15  
If ya aint first yer last
iTrader: (1)
 
atwood_101's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I feel like mine just went bad.. or I'm just wanting to shotgun a part at it to see if it's fixed. Would I need to buy two fobs? I feel like everything I've read says you have to have two fobs to program.
Old 02-28-2017, 01:19 PM
  #16  
Registered
 
liondogs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Stanwood, Washington
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I think you need two keys to do it yourself. I just had a FOB and spare key programmed for my 09 at the dealer. They charged me 65 dollars to cut the spare key and reprogram the new FOB and key to the car.
Old 08-22-2023, 10:50 AM
  #17  
///// Upscale Zoom-Zoom
 
wannawankel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 1,567
Received 179 Likes on 156 Posts
My 2010 GT key fob battery is dead (at work). The blade fob key (auxiliary key) lets me get back into the car. However the key will insert and twist to START but the starter will not start engage (instrument panel is illuminated though). I borrowed a coworker's CR2025 battery, placed that into my FOB, and got the car started.

So why doesn't the key work in the ignition with a dead FOB?


Mazda RX8 series II QSG says...
Old 08-22-2023, 04:45 PM
  #18  
///// Upscale Zoom-Zoom
 
wannawankel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 1,567
Received 179 Likes on 156 Posts
Originally Posted by wannawankel
My 2010 GT key fob battery is dead (at work). The blade fob key (auxiliary key) lets me get back into the car. However the key will insert and twist to START but the starter will not start engage (instrument panel is illuminated though). I borrowed a coworker's CR2025 battery, placed that into my FOB, and got the car started.

So why doesn't the key work in the ignition with a dead FOB?


Mazda RX8 series II QSG says...
Solved- in my frustration I kept turning the steering back and forth and tried the key until the car started. Got home and now it will not start with the key. Gave up on turning the steering and key game and replaced the fob battery with a new CR2025- started right up without the key. 3-4 years per battery.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
TacticalGiraffe99
New Member Forum
3
08-21-2022 07:26 PM
Jodyfaye
New Member Forum
0
06-02-2016 10:22 AM
Rotary-RX8
RX-8 Discussion
30
03-30-2012 04:50 PM
padrea1951
Series I Trouble Shooting
7
11-02-2011 03:37 PM
catalan
Series I Trouble Shooting
3
05-25-2010 10:06 PM



You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: HELP!!! Car Won't Detect Key Fob



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:45 AM.