Trunk FOB detection not working

jlunavtgrad · Tue Sep 16, 2014 8:35 pm

Hi,

I have a 2011 SLS kizashi and I've locked my keys in the trunk twice this month. Before this month I had never once been the victim of this all too easy and shameful mistake. Previously the keyless entry fob would not allow itself to be locked in the trunk.

I tried both fobs, same behavior. Both fobs have 3 month old batteries. I am unable to lock the car with the fob in the front seat. I found what I think is the antenna for the trunk attached to the top of the trunk next to a speaker. A small black piece the size of a small pack of gum with only two wires connected to it. Is this the part I should look to replace?

Oddly enough, when I disconnect the antenna the car acts a bit differently. With the antenna connected when I close the trunk the button near the license plate does not open the trunk. When I disconnect the antenna the button does open the trunk. So somehow this part can detect the fob and then disables the trunk button, but it does not detect the fob when the trunk is closed like it should.

Thanks for any help and advice. Too bad my warranty ran out a few months, and 3800 miles ago!

SamirD · Sun Sep 28, 2014 4:17 am

Very strange behavior. Are you able to lock the car with the fobs in the passenger compartment?

jlunavtgrad · Wed Oct 01, 2014 1:48 pm

No, the car acts normally when I try to lock the keys in the front seat.

murcod · Thu Oct 02, 2014 12:47 am

The antenna in the boot/ trunk does sound like the obvious part to start with.

BxKizashiS · Mon Oct 06, 2014 11:30 pm

Go into your glove box and you will see a trunk button on the upper right corner. that button disengages the trunk from the fob and button under the steering wheel

murcod · Tue Oct 07, 2014 12:56 am

BxKizashiS wrote:Go into your glove box and you will see a trunk button on the upper right corner. that button disengages the trunk from the fob and button under the steering wheel

Interesting. I wonder if that is on all models- I've had the glove box out and never noticed anything?

Tue Oct 07, 2014 3:09 am

murcod wrote:
BxKizashiS wrote:Go into your glove box and you will see a trunk button on the upper right corner. that button disengages the trunk from the fob and button under the steering wheel
Interesting. I wonder if that is on all models- I've had the glove box out and never noticed anything?

It might be a feature only in certain markets. It's essentially a security feature that allows you to keep the trunk contents locked away from valets. You basically lock your seat backs from folding down, press this button in the glove box, and then lock your glove box. You then give only the fob to the valet, mechanic, etc. while keeping the metal key. This will keep your glove box and trunk secure. The trunk does have that armrest pass-through access port, but large items like suitcases will be secure in the trunk.

LPSISRL · Wed Oct 08, 2014 5:59 pm

Does whether the doors are locked or not have an affect on the key fob in the trunk functionality?

BxKizashiS · Sun Oct 12, 2014 3:10 am

LPSISRL wrote:Does whether the doors are locked or not have an affect on the key fob in the trunk functionality?

Not at all. You can have all doors locked or unlocked and still pop the trunk with the fob in your pocket.

SamirD · Mon Oct 13, 2014 6:57 am

Definitely sounds like this would be the place to start:

murcod wrote:The antenna in the boot/ trunk does sound like the obvious part to start with.

I'd also try it with the other key and try replacing the batteries to see if that makes a difference.