Can't start the car with the Smart Key in my pocket :-(

Hi all,

I've had my 2008 Touring for over 2 years now - and almost 50,00 miles.

Over the weekend my 16 year old son drove my car (EEEK! ... with my permission ... but still EEK! . He parked it in a slightly awkard position in the garage so I popped a Smart Key in my pocket and went outo to move it.

But the darn thing REFUSED TO START (power/boot up) unless the key was inserted in the slot. I could use the remote to lock/unlock doors - so I don't think the Smart Key has a low battery.

Normally I NEVER put the key in the slot - so the behavior change of the car is significant.

I also noticed that the RED FLASHING KEY light is on - until I put the key in the slot. I've never noticed that before. Today I searched the forum and found lots of references to 'oh, thats normal, it always does that, you just never noticed it before'. I guess that *could* be true (I'd be VERY surprised that I never noticed the light before). But the REQUIREMENT to insert the key before I can start the car is CERTAINLY new.

I'm wondering what I need to do to get back to where I can leave the key in my pocket when I start the car?

MANY THANKS - this community is a GREAT resource!

 

You hit the nail on the head!
THANK YOU

 

Good point; maybe it is a built-in self-defense mechanism