Advanced Key issue - "Is the key in the vehicle?"

[nok]

I've searched around and can't seem to turn up much about this... wondering if I'm the only one experiencing this set of symptoms.

I've got the Advanced Key in my 2013 B8.5 and while I'm driving around I randomly get "Is the key in the vehicle?" messages. The frequency has increased lately. I've replaced the key fob batteries, no dice. All of the door handles and trunk handle work as expected. The only possibly related symptom I've noticed is that the key fob range when using the buttons has dramatically decreased. I used to be able to lock/unlock the car across a parking lot. Now, I sometimes struggle to get it to work even when I'm close to the car. It's totally intermittent though, I can't figure it out.

I took the car to Audi Meadowlands service, they claimed they couldn't find anything. They tested the key fob voltage and looked for related error codes. Nothing. They blamed 'installed accessories' ... all I have is a hardwired BlackVue dashcam installed by my rear view mirror and a smaller rear camera in the back. They claimed that accessories can interfere with the system.

Has anyone experienced any such thing? Any advice? This is happening more or less every time I drive the car now and I want to sort it out before my warranty ends later this year.

[BlownOne]

I've gotten the key not detected in vehicle while its in my pocket inside of the car a few times. Batteries are new in both keys (one in my girls purse) so I'm not sure. I also have intermittent issues with locking/unlocking the car while the key is in my pocket...like it doesn't see it for a few seconds. Electronic features sometimes come at a price...

Will

[nok]

I've gotten the key not detected in vehicle while its in my pocket inside of the car a few times. Batteries are new in both keys (one in my girls purse) so I'm not sure. I also have intermittent issues with locking/unlocking the car while the key is in my pocket...like it doesn't see it for a few seconds. Electronic features sometimes come at a price...

Will

While searching about this, I've read that if you have intermittent issues with the door lock/unlock by touch at the handles, then its a pretty common issue with the failing sensors in the handles. You might be able to get that fixed easily.

My issue is kind of weird and different. I'm not even sure that the decreased key fob range (when using the buttons) is related to the car losing track of the key while I'm driving or if these are two separate problems.

Yeah, electronics. Get the advanced key they said! It'll be convenient they said!
I do love it when it works though, lol.

[waxxonMTL]

happened twice to me with my 2013.. after 1 minutes, the msg cleared.

[nok]

happened twice to me with my 2013.. after 1 minutes, the msg cleared.

Same, the message clears after a while, yeah. It is way annoying when it happens a few times per commute to work though, and it has been happening more frequently over time.

[flyinverted]

I remember reading a thread a while back about someone having a dash cam installed near the rearview and having an issue with the key. From what I recall the issue is that the receiver antenna for the "key in vehicle" antenna is somewhere around there.

Those cams wouldn't happen to be wireless would they (to communicate with each other)? Multiple wireless devices (antennas) in the same location always plays hell. Try disconnecting the camera for a bit and see if the same issue occurs...

If I find that other thread, I'll post a link.

[joediesel]

My car gave me a message to "change key battery" yesterday

[doug97gxe]

My car gave me a message to "change key battery" yesterday

mine did as well last weekend.. changed it.. everything is great again .. my wife was actually the one the one who figured how to get to the battery as i was googling

[grovlet]

Do you have a wallet the has RFID Protection? I got a Ridge Wallet a while back - and I would intermittently have the same issue - I finally figured out that if I had the key and the wallet near each other it messed with the key signal

[nok]

I remember reading a thread a while back about someone having a dash cam installed near the rearview and having an issue with the key. From what I recall the issue is that the receiver antenna for the "key in vehicle" antenna is somewhere around there.

Those cams wouldn't happen to be wireless would they (to communicate with each other)? Multiple wireless devices (antennas) in the same location always plays hell. Try disconnecting the camera for a bit and see if the same issue occurs...

If I find that other thread, I'll post a link.

Seems plausible. I have the camera tucked between the mirror and headliner. If the antenna is in or near the mirror somewhere...
And it DOES have wi-fi for cloud functionality, but the rear camera is actually wired to the front.

So I did actually drive the first half of my commute this morning without the cam installed and no problems, but I put it up for the second half of my commute, and still no problems. Frustrating.

Do you have a wallet the has RFID Protection? I got a Ridge Wallet a while back - and I would intermittently have the same issue - I finally figured out that if I had the key and the wallet near each other it messed with the key signal

Nope, though I can see how that would be a problem.

[waxxonMTL]

for your information, i dont have any other wifi/bluetoooth on my car.. it could well be the battery of my remote or someone next to me at the re dlight had a wireless device and my car picked up.

[Lamprey]

Do you keep your fob in your pocket while driving? If so, is there anything else in your pocket with the fob? It's possible that something in your pocket is pressing a button on the fob.. or your pants are too tight.

[CrownSeven]

I remember reading a thread a while back about someone having a dash cam installed near the rearview and having an issue with the key. From what I recall the issue is that the receiver antenna for the "key in vehicle" antenna is somewhere around there.

Those cams wouldn't happen to be wireless would they (to communicate with each other)? Multiple wireless devices (antennas) in the same location always plays hell. Try disconnecting the camera for a bit and see if the same issue occurs...

If I find that other thread, I'll post a link.

Why the heck would they put the sensor way up there? I'd think it be near the start button or near where the key goes in the slot to start the car. From what I've read, there are multiple antennas all around the vehicle, not just in one spot. I'd say its a failing sensor - blaming it on the cameras is your typical stealer speak for 'we have no idea'.

[nok]

Do you keep your fob in your pocket while driving? If so, is there anything else in your pocket with the fob? It's possible that something in your pocket is pressing a button on the fob.. or your pants are too tight.

I do keep my key in my pocket, and I always have. Don't think the buttons even work when the car is running. Skinny jeans are all the rage man, get with it!

Why the heck would they put the sensor way up there? I'd think it be near the start button or near where the key goes in the slot to start the car. From what I've read, there are multiple antennas all around the vehicle, not just in one spot. I'd say its a failing sensor - blaming it on the cameras is your typical stealer speak for 'we have no idea'.

That was kind of my feeling, but I think I might relocate my camera lower on the windshield and see if it makes any difference. Does anyone actually know the specific interior sensor/antenna locations?

[quickglx]

Antennas are in the front part of the rear doors I believe, one at the back edge of the mmi control panel in the center console. And one in the trunk. I think that's it... seems like possibly a key issue, do you have a spare?

[Loe]

I remember reading a thread a while back about someone having a dash cam installed near the rearview and having an issue with the key. From what I recall the issue is that the receiver antenna for the "key in vehicle" antenna is somewhere around there.

Those cams wouldn't happen to be wireless would they (to communicate with each other)? Multiple wireless devices (antennas) in the same location always plays hell. Try disconnecting the camera for a bit and see if the same issue occurs...

If I find that other thread, I'll post a link.

That could explain my issues on this as well, regardless of which key I use. I have my Florida sunpass toll transponder sticker mounted there.

[nok]

Antennas are in the front part of the rear doors I believe, one at the back edge of the mmi control panel in the center console. And one in the trunk. I think that's it... seems like possibly a key issue, do you have a spare?

I do have a spare which I tried using instead but I experienced the same thing.

That could explain my issues on this as well, regardless of which key I use. I have my Florida sunpass toll transponder sticker mounted there.

I've had my EZPass tag behind the right side of my mirror since day 1, I've never had a problem until now (3.5 years later).

Funny thing though, it hasn't happened in two or three days now. The only changed variable I can think of is that the weather has warmed up. This is total speculation, but I wonder if the car battery having a low voltage could cause all of this? It's the original battery, and batteries generally perform better in warmer temps if I'm not mistaken?
Plus I've been led to believe that my battery might be failing because my PowerMagic Pro (low voltage cutoff device) for my dashcam shuts off the camera in a much shorter period of time than I would expect out of a fully charged car battery.

[eightamrock]

I've been to my dealer 3 times about the key not working right. I basically need to be sitting on the car for the button to work and have the key against the door handles for it to unlock via touch sensor. I'm guessing I have bad antennas or at least one or 2 of them have loose connections.

I'm going to investigate myself. Does anyone have a picture or part number for me to see what he antenna looks like? Th trunk in particular has at least 20 antenna looking modules.


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[BDP]

My 14 just out of the blue stared doing this. I thought it was the batteries in the key fob. At any rate when it happens I just hit the unlock on my key fob and it immediately let's me start the car. It happens when the car has been sitting for awhile, mainly in the mornings when I first go out to start it.

Hopefully it's nothing serious, I'm under warranty but don't really feel like dealing with electrical issues.

[Oloung1]

That could explain my issues on this as well, regardless of which key I use. I have my Florida sunpass toll transponder sticker mounted there.

ive got my sunpass and my dash cam mounted there too since ive had the car but it's only recently started this issue in the past year. ive recently replaced the battery on my first remote and it fixed the problem for about 2 months, now it's every other day that this alert goes off. remote #2 doesn't trigger the alarm.

[nok]

So just an update on this -- I got a new car battery installed and these problems pretty much disappeared.
I suspect it may have also had something to do with the car's power management recognizing that something was drawing current when the car was off (dash cam), and limiting certain features.

In any case, if you have similar issues, and your battery is a few years old, it may be time for a replacement.

[eightamrock]

Glad you bumped this to the top, I have an update as well!

After visiting the dealer about 3 times with this issue, and the key range basically being less than 3 feet from the car (and also above window height) I looked into this myself.

There is an antenna module in the rear window driver side pillar. Pulling off the pillar and inspecting the antenna module, I discovered that one of the antenna connections was just slightly loose, and when I say slightly it was immeasurable. Pushing on all the connecters caused one to "click". Put the pillar back on and everything works amazingly. A week later it happened again. Pulled the pillar off and same connection was loose. Seems that my aftermarket sub is causing just enough vibration to knock this one out. I pushed on the antenna wire slightly to give it a little holding force as it was bulged out in a position where it was pulling it away from the module. Its been about a month and all is well.

Anyway, its another possible cause for this issue so check it out if all else fails.

[BDP]

I replaced the battery in my key fob and my issues went away. Seems like others here have had already tried this with no success though. Based on the replies in this thread I'm wondering if this is localized to the B8.5 chassis?