Battery Key Change - Now won't work

[viki2410]

Hi All,
I changed the battery in my key fob today as the "Battery Low" warning kept coming up. Followed all the instructions online and now the key will not work to open the car and the car (MG ZS Long Range 24 Plate) cannot detect it unless I put it in the backup position in the cupholder. It will detect and start the car when in the backup position, but as soon as I move it, the car cannot find it.
I used Duracell Batteries bought from Screwfix today and followed all the instructions, so I am at a bit of a loss. Any hints or advice please?
Thanks in advance.

 

[MG Clive]

The first thing I'd do would be try a different battery, new batteries can be faulty, so trying another new one should eliminate the battery as the problem.

 

[viki2410]

The first thing I'd do would be try a different battery, new batteries can be faulty, so trying another new one should eliminate the battery as the problem.

Thank you, that was my first though (which I should have said in my original reply) currently on battery number 3 and no joy...

 

[MG Clive]

Thank you, that was my first though (which I should have said in my original reply) currently on battery number 3 and no joy...

And you're 100% sure the battery is installed the right way round ?

 

[viki2410]

And you're 100% sure the battery is installed the right way round ?

Yep 100%. The same way the previous battery was. + side down.

 

[MG Clive]

Does your spare key fob work, if the spare works correctly it will eliminate a 'vehicle' problem, so it will be an issue with just the original key fob.

 

[viki2410]

Does your spare key fob work, if the spare works correctly it will eliminate a 'vehicle' problem, so it will be an issue with just the original key fob.

Annoyingly I did it at work, so will have to wait until I am home to give it a go. I can get home as it detects the key when in the backup position, just won't work when it is not there! Thanks

 

[Kieran]

Annoyingly I did it at work, so will have to wait until I am home to give it a go. I can get home as it detects the key when in the backup position, just won't work when it is not there! Thanks

I had exactly this issue after replacing my key battery and found this instruction on the internet: pressing and holding the lock and unlock buttons simultaneously for about 10 seconds.

I did this within range of the car and it was working afterwords. Hope this helps!

 

[Lovemyev]

@viki2410 this maybe the article that @Kieran kindly found on-line.

 

[Kieran]

@viki2410 this maybe the article that @Kieran kindly found on-line.

View attachment 42849

View attachment 42850

That’s the one! Didn’t expect it to work but it did! Hoping the same applies here

 

[viki2410]

HI everyone,

Thanks for the replies, they are much appreciated.
I got home and tried my spare fob, nothing doing. Did what most girls do in this situation and phoned the encyclopedia of dad. He suggested disconnecting the battery. Did that, left for an hour, then reconnected and now both keys work!
It's going for a service in a couple of weeks so I am going to mention it to them. My dealer is usually pretty helpful.
Thanks again everyone!

 

[MG Clive]

That's good to know @viki2410, thanks for the update.

 

[Lovemyev]

Great to know that you are all sorted !.
The advice from Good Old Dad was the winner .
Disconnecting one side of the 12 volt battery, wait about 10 minutes and then reconnect, is a good know “Go To” fix for a number of issues on EV’s .
To the point, where some owners actually carry a 10mm spanner with them.
Ask me how I know .
Top Tip :- Mine is stored in a plastic bag and then taped to the side of the 12 volt battery .

 

[Lovemyev]

After a bit of scratching around in the forum, I have managed to find a thread that points to the same conclusion as the fix .

B

Thread 'MG ZS not recognising my keys'

May 16, 2023

I just had a situation where, after opening my MG ZS EV with the door push button, my car would not recognise either of my keys so would not start... It then would not lock with either the key or door pushbutton. Interestingly I could open and lock the car from the app. Helpful MG Gallanders dealership in Aberdeen told me to disconnect the earth lead from the battery and wait a couple of minutes and then reconnected it. Boom problem solved..! Classic "hard reboot" or turn it off and turn it on again... Useful tip to know in case you get caught out. You may want to leave a...

• Benno
• keys mg zs mg zs ev
• Replies: 3
• Forum: MG ZS EV Forum

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