I put the fob into the ignition switch today and the key wouldn't turn. I had to take it out and put it in, and repeat this a few times until I heard the zzzzt sound, and then I could turn the key. Then sometimes it would start after turning the key and sometimes it wouldn't start.

The first time this problem happened and I started the car, the MFD on the dash was blank, the turn signals didn't work, the vents didn't work, the fuel gauge showed empty even though I knew I had about a quarter tank. I talked with roadside assistance and they thought it could be a faulty SAM.

I turned off the car, and had problems starting the car again as described above, and after I started the car, the MFD looks ok, turn signals, vents, and fuel gauge are working ok now. Turned off the car, tried locking the car with the fob and that didn't work. So I tried replacing the fob batteries, and the car still didn't lock or unlock. I had to start the car and turn it off before the fob could be used to lock the car.

Anyone know what the problem could be?

 

Do you have a second fob?

Sounds like the mechanism that syncs with the car, whatever makes it a "smart key" is bad (maybe bc the batteries were just dead?). After you replace the batteries, you're right - I believe you do have to start the car with it so it can sync before it will lock/unlock.

So has it been fine ever since you replaced batteries and started the car with them in?


Theres my amateur answer. Someone will chime in otherwise.

 

Battery? Car shuts down systems as the battery dies.

 

Yup, sounds like it's either the car battery or judging by the age of the car, the alternator. How old is the battery in your car?

 

The car battery is about 2 years old.

I forgot to mention that after roadside assistance told me that they wanted to try jumpstarting my car, I tried plugging my jumpstarter battery to the car but the jumpstarter battery was dead. Would that have drained the car battery? Maybe driving the car yesterday recharged the drained battery. The car was working fine last night and today.

 

get the alternator checked out.

 

I replaced the alternator at about the same time I replaced the battery 2 years ago. I'll get these two checked if I run into the weird electrical/starter problems again. Thanks.