Do you have an Audi key not recognized by your vehicle?
This is one of the most common issues that some people come across, which is a baffling and inconvenient experience. After all, your vehicle is supposed to recognize your key – unless something is absolutely wrong with it.
The most usual reasons why your key is not recognized include the battery being too weak, or you may have some operating system issues with your vehicle. This is why we will look into this problem and what you can do about it.
Causes Of Audi Key Not Recognized
The common reasons why you may be experiencing a problem with your Audi key not recognized by your vehicle include the key being removed from your car and you may have a defective key.
So, if your Audi is unable to detect your key, it may be worth trying to start the engine and using your emergency start method as an option. But you can also consider pressing your brake pedal and starting the engine with your key fob.
Now, there are some warning messages that commonly appear when you have an undetected key. These include:
- No key signal
- Key not recognized
- Change key fob battery
- Incorrect key
- Car won’t detect the key fob.
Now, when the key is not detected, it simply means that your vehicle is unable to receive a signal for your working key. It may be due to weak batteries in your key fob or you are using the wrong key. Sometimes, it may be due to a damaged key such as in the case of keys exposed to moisture or water.
But among the most common reasons why you have an unrecognized key in your Audi is because of a weak battery. When the battery is weak or dead, it is unable to send a signal to your keyless entry system. In this case, you will have to replace your key’s batteries.
However, if your key is damaged, which happens when you have accidentally wet it or you dropped the key in the water, it means you need to get it replaced.
Now, if you are looking for ways to start your car using a dead remote key, there are a few things you can try. Even if the error message states that no key is detected, you can still consider starting your engine when you have a key. Use the key to press your start button. However, if it fails to bring in results, you may need to try inserting the key in the right location and start your car.
You can also start your vehicle by placing your key in the car’s emergency spot. Then, press your brake pedal and hit start. With the Audi, put your key right next to your steering column. Follow this up by pressing your brake pedal and then push the start button.
Some Fixes To Consider
There are a few things you can do to troubleshoot a key that is unrecognized by a vehicle. It can be challenging, though, and even specialists may encounter some difficulties along the way. This is why if your vehicle will not start because your key is not detected, you may try the following tips:
- Replace your key fob’s battery
- Lock and unlock your vehicle using the key fob’s buttons. Start your vehicle or use the key to push your start button if the former does not work.
- Unplug your aftermarket devices – any device that is plugged into your cigarette outlet
- Try starting your vehicle with your spare key. If it starts, then it means that your other key is defective or would need to have the battery replaced
- Disconnect your battery and put it back after five minutes. Start your engine to see if it works
- Have your vehicle towed to another location and start your engine once more. There may be some RF signals in the previous location that are preventing your keyless start from working.
If you have already replaced your batteries and yet the car is still unable to detect the key, you may check some parts of your vehicle that may be causing this problem.
Perhaps your fuses are blown, which is why the engine fails to start. But if after inspecting your fuses, there does not seem to be any problem, you can simply disconnect and reconnect your battery after fifteen minutes.
Next, if your doors can lock or unlock, yet your key is not detected by your vehicle, then the issue may be with your transponder. There may be damage to this portion, which is preventing it from starting your engine even if the doors are able to lock or unlock.
In most cases, key issues are only intermittent. Yet, the problems are not always easy to diagnose. This is why it is best to visit your mechanic to have this issue addressed by professionals.
If the central locking done through your remote control fails to work – or it is only sporadically, you may notice that you are still able to operate locks manually. In this case, you can try synchronizing the functions between your remote key and your vehicle.
But if even after synchronization, the remote key still does not work, check your battery. It is important that the voltage is at 3.0 volts or even higher. In case you notice that the battery voltage is under 3.0 volts, you will have to replace your battery and try doing the synchronization once more.
Also, it would help to check if there are interfering senders either in your vehicle or nearby. This can impact the signal, which can prevent you from having your key recognized by your vehicle.
Read More: What To Do When Your Audi MMI Won’t Turn Off
Summary
When your Audi key is not recognized by your vehicle, there are many reasons why this may happen. It could be a battery problem or the key itself has a defect. If so, it is best to know the root of the problem and deal with it appropriately to ensure the best solution that will solve this issue.