Key not present in vehicle
Discussion
I've had my 570 GT two weeks now and three times i've had key not present come up. I was putting the key in the area between gear buttons and centre storage unit. Ascot suggested stowing key in front cupholder area, and it's been ok-until today. Sat at level crossing, went to start car-key not present! The warning then disappeared after a 30 sec wait and impatient cars behind and car started. Rang Ascot today and they suggested trying other key now for a while!
Anybody else experienced this?
Anybody else experienced this?
funboxster said:
I've had my 570 GT two weeks now and three times i've had key not present come up. I was putting the key in the area between gear buttons and centre storage unit. Ascot suggested stowing key in front cupholder area, and it's been ok-until today. Sat at level crossing, went to start car-key not present! The warning then disappeared after a 30 sec wait and impatient cars behind and car started. Rang Ascot today and they suggested trying other key now for a while!
Anybody else experienced this?
change key battery?Anybody else experienced this?
The sensor in the car is programmed to assess whether or not the key is actually inside the car and not whether it can detect it or not. This is to save you if you happen to drop it on the ground outside or leave it with your wallet on the roof when getting in. When you get this warning it could be because the sensor has detected the key but has judged it to be outside the car. To correct this you need to re-calibrate the sensor - i.e. help it learn the space that is inside the car. A little known trick to do this involves performing the following routine. Firstly hold the key in what you believe to be the center of the cabin and start the engine. Then while the engine is running trace out the border of the cabin with the key. That is hold the key between two fingers and run it around the extremities of the cabin - the roof, floor, footwells, cupholders, etc. Be sure to go everywhere. Then return the key to the center of the cabin and stop the engine. That should do it.
thecook101 said:
The sensor in the car is programmed to assess whether or not the key is actually inside the car and not whether it can detect it or not. This is to save you if you happen to drop it on the ground outside or leave it with your wallet on the roof when getting in. When you get this warning it could be because the sensor has detected the key but has judged it to be outside the car. To correct this you need to re-calibrate the sensor - i.e. help it learn the space that is inside the car. A little known trick to do this involves performing the following routine. Firstly hold the key in what you believe to be the center of the cabin and start the engine. Then while the engine is running trace out the border of the cabin with the key. That is hold the key between two fingers and run it around the extremities of the cabin - the roof, floor, footwells, cupholders, etc. Be sure to go everywhere. Then return the key to the center of the cabin and stop the engine. That should do it.
That is kinda cool and kinda annoying at the same time!MitchT said:
One day a car manufacturer will invent a little slot in the dashboard for you to put your key in and they'll think they're god!
What a great idea, they could even save on electronic complexity if you could sort of turn the key to start the engine (probably not doable though 
)Edited by blueg33 on Friday 17th March 17:34
thecook101 said:
The sensor in the car is programmed to assess whether or not the key is actually inside the car and not whether it can detect it or not. This is to save you if you happen to drop it on the ground outside or leave it with your wallet on the roof when getting in. When you get this warning it could be because the sensor has detected the key but has judged it to be outside the car. To correct this you need to re-calibrate the sensor - i.e. help it learn the space that is inside the car. A little known trick to do this involves performing the following routine. Firstly hold the key in what you believe to be the center of the cabin and start the engine. Then while the engine is running trace out the border of the cabin with the key. That is hold the key between two fingers and run it around the extremities of the cabin - the roof, floor, footwells, cupholders, etc. Be sure to go everywhere. Then return the key to the center of the cabin and stop the engine. That should do it.
Wow! Interesting! I'll give it a go. Thanks very muchfunboxster said:
I've had my 570 GT two weeks now and three times i've had key not present come up. I was putting the key in the area between gear buttons and centre storage unit. Ascot suggested stowing key in front cupholder area, and it's been ok-until today. Sat at level crossing, went to start car-key not present! The warning then disappeared after a 30 sec wait and impatient cars behind and car started. Rang Ascot today and they suggested trying other key now for a while!
Anybody else experienced this?
Happens every now and then. normally waving the key around the 'start' button works but it usually refinds the key after a while anyway so I've just ignored it if it appeared while I was driving. It tends to be worse with another set of car keys in your pockets for me. Anybody else experienced this?
change the battery in the key fob.
i have a 650S and got the exact same problem.
at first i'd put it in the little receptacle immediately in front of the start button and that would always cure it.
then it would be intermittent, but eventually it would work.
one day no matter what i would do, i kept getting the "key not found" error and couldn't start the car at all (good thing i was at home).
i thought it was a problem with a sensor, because the key fob would still lock and unlock the car no problem, even from a considerable distance.
but i just change the battery, and voila! it worked perfectly. in fact better than it did from new. i can now keep the key in my pocket opposite the center console, and never have to remove it to start the car.
i have a 650S and got the exact same problem.
at first i'd put it in the little receptacle immediately in front of the start button and that would always cure it.
then it would be intermittent, but eventually it would work.
one day no matter what i would do, i kept getting the "key not found" error and couldn't start the car at all (good thing i was at home).
i thought it was a problem with a sensor, because the key fob would still lock and unlock the car no problem, even from a considerable distance.
but i just change the battery, and voila! it worked perfectly. in fact better than it did from new. i can now keep the key in my pocket opposite the center console, and never have to remove it to start the car.
thecook101 said:
The sensor in the car is programmed to assess whether or not the key is actually inside the car and not whether it can detect it or not. This is to save you if you happen to drop it on the ground outside or leave it with your wallet on the roof when getting in. When you get this warning it could be because the sensor has detected the key but has judged it to be outside the car. To correct this you need to re-calibrate the sensor - i.e. help it learn the space that is inside the car. A little known trick to do this involves performing the following routine. Firstly hold the key in what you believe to be the center of the cabin and start the engine. Then while the engine is running trace out the border of the cabin with the key. That is hold the key between two fingers and run it around the extremities of the cabin - the roof, floor, footwells, cupholders, etc. Be sure to go everywhere. Then return the key to the center of the cabin and stop the engine. That should do it.
I tried this yesterday and have been up to Ascot and back today-4 hour round trip. No key not present issues, so hopefully that has sorted it.Thanks again.
funboxster said:
I tried this yesterday and have been up to Ascot and back today-4 hour round trip. No key not present issues, so hopefully that has sorted it.
Thanks again.
Wait wait wait. Full disclosure - I made that procedure up not thinking anyone would actually do it. I pictured you McLaren lads sitting in your cars waving your keys about and figured that would be fun Thanks again.
Sorry - all in jest, although maybe it worked after all 
I owe you a beer, cheers.thecook101 said:
funboxster said:
I tried this yesterday and have been up to Ascot and back today-4 hour round trip. No key not present issues, so hopefully that has sorted it.
Thanks again.
Wait wait wait. Full disclosure - I made that procedure up not thinking anyone would actually do it. I pictured you McLaren lads sitting in your cars waving your keys about and figured that would be fun Thanks again.
Sorry - all in jest, although maybe it worked after all I owe you a beer, cheers.
Well done cook! I was only half paying attention when I read you're original post but it actually did seem believable. I wonder if anybody will own up to trying it!
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