key detected in vehicle - while driving

[cantgoback]

This happened once to myself a couple of months ago, and just tonight while my wife was driving the car. The master warning light comes on (triangle with '!' inside) and the message "KEY DETECTED IN VEHICLE" while driving, and the key is inside the car. There is also a beep and my wife claims the interior lights were flashing. I found the warning message on page 512 of the owner's manual describing situations when the key is inside the car and an attempt is made to lock the doors. But I don't think anything like that was happening when the warning came on. I've read somewhere in this forum that water running down the handles could activate the SKS, but there was no water or moisture present. Plus I've driven in the rain and no problems. I don't know. My guess is that this "problem" is more of a nuisance rather than something serious/dangerous, but should I be concerned? Has anybody else experience this with their car too, or is it just us? Any thoughts/ideas as to what might be the cause?

[pinzvidz]

Originally Posted by cantgoback

"KEY DETECTED IN VEHICLE"

Are you missing a "NOT" in that message i.e. "KEY NOT DETECTED IN VEHICLE"? Does your wife have some sort of metallic handbag that may be blocking the signal to/from the key?

Normally you'll get this message if you leave the igntion on (in READY state) and hop out and close the door (3 beeps) and message on MFD.

[qbee42]

Also, water running over the handles is only an issue if the key is outside of the door, which is probably a bad place to be with a moving car.

Tom

[jdcollins5]

Originally Posted by cantgoback

This happened once to myself a couple of months ago, and just tonight while my wife was driving the car. The master warning light comes on (triangle with '!' inside) and the message "KEY DETECTED IN VEHICLE" while driving, and the key is inside the car. There is also a beep and my wife claims the interior lights were flashing. I found the warning message on page 512 of the owner's manual describing situations when the key is inside the car and an attempt is made to lock the doors. But I don't think anything like that was happening when the warning came on. I've read somewhere in this forum that water running down the handles could activate the SKS, but there was no water or moisture present. Plus I've driven in the rain and no problems. I don't know. My guess is that this "problem" is more of a nuisance rather than something serious/dangerous, but should I be concerned? Has anybody else experience this with their car too, or is it just us? Any thoughts/ideas as to what might be the cause?

I had this same error message a couple of weeks ago. My issue turned out to be that the hatchback door was not fully closed. I got the alarm whenever I went over a bump.

[cantgoback]

Originally Posted by pinzvidz

Are you missing a "NOT" in that message i.e. "KEY NOT DETECTED IN VEHICLE"? Does your wife have some sort of metallic handbag that may be blocking the signal to/from the key?

Normally you'll get this message if you leave the igntion on (in READY state) and hop out and close the door (3 beeps) and message on MFD.

No there is no "NOT" in the message. See page 512 of the owners manual, assuming you are an owner too.

For my wife, the key was out in the open in the lower level storage tray. No metallic purses. When it happened to me, the key was in my pocket -- jeans (not metallic pants! haha).

[cantgoback]

Originally Posted by jdcollins5

I had this same error message a couple of weeks ago. My issue turned out to be that the hatchback door was not fully closed. I got the alarm whenever I went over a bump.

Thanks for sharing the info. I'll try an experiment some time by not fully closing the hatch and see if the same message comes back or not.

[DonD]

Originally Posted by cantgoback

Thanks for sharing the info. I'll try an experiment some time by not fully closing the hatch and see if the same message comes back or not.

Happened to me twice about two weeks ago--thought it may have been my pacemaker kicking in and being 'recognized'! Stoppped, turned off engine. Opened and then re-closed all doors, including hatch, and it went away. Think it was the hatch not fully closed.

[jdcollins5]

Originally Posted by cantgoback

Thanks for sharing the info. I'll try an experiment some time by not fully closing the hatch and see if the same message comes back or not.

When you try the experiment (I did this also), lower the hatchback door as softly as you can. There are two definite clicks as you close it all the way. As easy as I tried, I could not avoid the first click as the door is too heavy. I was able to not get the second click. Drove the car and when I hit the first bump I got the error message that you did. It would clear I turned the power off and back on but would come back if I hit another bump. It would not clear completely until I closed the hatch completely.

Try it to convince yourself.

[a64pilot]

I have it happen as well. I didn't think of a hatch not properly closed. In my case the message went away on it's own. Thought it was an anomaly that probably wouldn't be repeated.
At least I didn't get the "blue screen of death"

[Kameel]

I had the same problem while driving today. (I attached the picture) I parked the car and turned off the engine, it did it again after a few minutes. this time I unlocked and locked the door while driving , it went away and came back after a few minutes. I decided to stop the car and open and close all door (Including hatchback door ) and this time it went away for good.
I definitely think it had to do with the hatchback door but can't be totally certain...
we will see if this comes again..