2013 LR4 I have had for about a year and a half. No issues so far, other than it being about time to replace lower control arms. Until Monday morning:
I hopped in to go to work, key in left pocket as always, and got the “SmartKey not found” message. Took the key out of my pocket, held it in my lap, started just fine. Hopped in to go to lunch, started with key in my pocket no problem, twice. Went to leave work, would not start with key in pocket or in lap. I got it to start using the under the steering wheel backup. Replaced the key battery that night.
Tuesday: Walked out in the morning and it would not unlock with key in pocket, had to put key in the same hand I was pulling the handle with to get it to work. Had to start using the under steering wheel method. On the drive to work, after about 10 min., the “SmartKey not found” message popped up on the dash. When leaving work, unlock worked like normal, had to start with key under steering wheel.
When I got home I did some trouble shooting. Lock/Unlock using the buttons on the fob works great out to 100-120ft. Cannot lock using the button on the handle, cannot “proximity” unlock unless the key is in the hand I am pulling the handle with. This is at all doors. As for starting: 20% of the time it will start with the key in my pocket, 30% of the time it will start with the key held at various distances from the steering wheel, the remaining 50% I have to put the key under the steering wheel.
I disconnected the battery for 10 min, as I have read that a “reset” can sometimes solve this. There was some corrosion on the battery terminals, so I also cleaned them and reconnected. No change after another round of troubleshooting.
So, questions: Do I have a bad key, or a bad KVM? I have also read that it could be a vehicle battery or starter issue, how would I troubleshoot this? Trying to avoid the dealership, because money and I also enjoy troubleshooting stuff.
If it is a key issue: Whats the best replacement strategy, Gap tool?
If it is a KVM issue: How many Rover Monetary Units will that set me back, roughly?
Any other suggestions?
I hopped in to go to work, key in left pocket as always, and got the “SmartKey not found” message. Took the key out of my pocket, held it in my lap, started just fine. Hopped in to go to lunch, started with key in my pocket no problem, twice. Went to leave work, would not start with key in pocket or in lap. I got it to start using the under the steering wheel backup. Replaced the key battery that night.
Tuesday: Walked out in the morning and it would not unlock with key in pocket, had to put key in the same hand I was pulling the handle with to get it to work. Had to start using the under steering wheel method. On the drive to work, after about 10 min., the “SmartKey not found” message popped up on the dash. When leaving work, unlock worked like normal, had to start with key under steering wheel.
When I got home I did some trouble shooting. Lock/Unlock using the buttons on the fob works great out to 100-120ft. Cannot lock using the button on the handle, cannot “proximity” unlock unless the key is in the hand I am pulling the handle with. This is at all doors. As for starting: 20% of the time it will start with the key in my pocket, 30% of the time it will start with the key held at various distances from the steering wheel, the remaining 50% I have to put the key under the steering wheel.
I disconnected the battery for 10 min, as I have read that a “reset” can sometimes solve this. There was some corrosion on the battery terminals, so I also cleaned them and reconnected. No change after another round of troubleshooting.
So, questions: Do I have a bad key, or a bad KVM? I have also read that it could be a vehicle battery or starter issue, how would I troubleshoot this? Trying to avoid the dealership, because money and I also enjoy troubleshooting stuff.
If it is a key issue: Whats the best replacement strategy, Gap tool?
If it is a KVM issue: How many Rover Monetary Units will that set me back, roughly?
Any other suggestions?