MG4 Smart key not detected. Alarm going off.

[Swampy]

Got the car back just a while back.
Asked the three questions.

1. What happened.
2. What did you do to fix it.
3. How can we prevent this from happening again.

For the alarm sounding:

1. The signal/comms was lost between the key and the car so that’s why I got the message “smart key not detected” when I attempted to start the car.
2. They have a known software update for this issue so applied it.
3. Been told this will resolve future issues.

Errors/warning symbols:

1. When you disconnect the 12v Battery and go to reconnect it errors will show on the screen.
2. You need to recalibrate the system by turning the steering wheel all the way to the right and hold it for a few seconds. Then all the way to the left and hold for a few seconds. This should clear the warning symbols.
3. Don’t disconnect the battery if at all possible. If you do see above.

The reason the AA guy had to use the battery pack to allow me to get the car into Drive their thoughts are the battery had got so low it just needed that extra boost to allow me to drive it.

They have tested the battery and all seems ok. See how this goes.

I asked if they would be a recall for the software update relating to the issue above. Not at this moment in time the dealership told me.

I have had the car a month now and all the latest software was applied at that time.
Today they applied another 5 available software updates including the one above. It seems this will be common pattern of updates been applied as and when.

So my emergency kit now includes:
Flat screwdriver to open the boot.
10mm spanner to disconnect the battery.
Mini battery booster.
Instructions on recalibrating stuck to my sun visor.

This doesn’t include my pre flight check list!!

 

[AndyL61]

Got the car back just a while back.
Asked the three questions.

1. What happened.
2. What did you do to fix it.
3. How can we prevent this from happening again.

For the alarm sounding:

1. The signal/comms was lost between the key and the car so that’s why I got the message “smart key not detected” when I attempted to start the car.
2. They have a known software update for this issue so applied it.
3. Been told this will resolve future issues.

Errors/warning symbols:

1. When you disconnect the 12v Battery and go to reconnect it errors will show on the screen.
2. You need to recalibrate the system by turning the steering wheel all the way to the right and hold it for a few seconds. Then all the way to the left and hold for a few seconds. This should clear the warning symbols.
3. Don’t disconnect the battery if at all possible. If you do see above.

The reason the AA guy had to use the battery pack to allow me to get the car into Drive their thoughts are the battery had got so low it just needed that extra boost to allow me to drive it.

They have tested the battery and all seems ok. See how this goes.

I asked if they would be a recall for the software update relating to the issue above. Not at this moment in time the dealership told me.

I have had the car a month now and all the latest software was applied at that time.
Today they applied another 5 available software updates including the one above. It seems this will be common pattern of updates been applied as and when.

So my emergency kit now includes:
Flat screwdriver to open the boot.
10mm spanner to disconnect the battery.
Mini battery booster.
Instructions on recalibrating stuck to my sun visor.

This doesn’t include my pre flight check list!!

Glad your car is sorted and thanks for the detailed explanation and remedy.

 

[Swampy]

My glass is still half full. ?

 

[richardk]

we live in

ust got into my MG4 SE SR. pressed the brake pedal to select D for drive and a warning appeared on the screen in front of me “Smart Key Not Detected” then the car alarm was going off. First

We live in the Netherlands, have a new MG4 and have had similar problem 5 times over last 2 months. Same warning appears after entering the car, can still drive, then after stop and opening a door the alarm goes off and we need to wait for it to stop - which it does after minutes (pushing any key buttons doesnt work). The app notes that “abnormal entry of the vehicle has triggered an alarm”. Tomorrow car is going to the garage - they say they don’t know what is happening. Any further advise appreciated

 

[tsedge]

we live in

We live in the Netherlands, have a new MG4 and have had similar problem 5 times over last 2 months. Same warning appears after entering the car, can still drive, then after stop and opening a door the alarm goes off and we need to wait for it to stop - which it does after minutes (pushing any key buttons doesnt work). The app notes that “abnormal entry of the vehicle has triggered an alarm”. Tomorrow car is going to the garage - they say they don’t know what is happening. Any further advise appreciated

I think there is an update for this. Otherwise try changing the key battery if you haven't already.

If you have a Trophy see if it works with the Smart Key on your phone, that will eliminate the key as the issue (or confirm it).

 

[richardk]

we live in

ust got into my MG4 SE SR. pressed the brake pedal to select D for drive and a warning appeared on the screen in front of me “Smart Key Not Detected” then the car alarm was going off. First

We live in the Netherlands, have a new MG4 and have had similar problem 5 times over last 2 months. Same warning appears after entering the car, can still drive, then after stop and opening a door the alarm goes off and we need to wait for it to stop - which it does after minutes (pushing any key buttons doesnt work). The app notes that “abnormal entry of the vehicle has triggered an alarm”. Tomorrow car is going to the garage - they say they don’t know what is happening. Any further advise appreciated

 

[Ian Key]

we live in

We live in the Netherlands, have a new MG4 and have had similar problem 5 times over last 2 months. Same warning appears after entering the car, can still drive, then after stop and opening a door the alarm goes off and we need to wait for it to stop - which it does after minutes (pushing any key buttons doesnt work). The app notes that “abnormal entry of the vehicle has triggered an alarm”. Tomorrow car is going to the garage - they say they don’t know what is happening. Any further advise appreciated

As tsedge has said there is an update for this and has been the subject to a safety recall in the UK.

 

[Eber]

So my emergency kit now includes:
Flat screwdriver to open the boot.
10mm spanner to disconnect the battery.
Mini battery booster.
Instructions on recalibrating stuck to my sun visor.

This doesn’t include my pre flight check list!!

You might just want to take your pre-war Bentley if you're in a hurry! ?

 

[Ayoull]

we live in

We live in the Netherlands, have a new MG4 and have had similar problem 5 times over last 2 months. Same warning appears after entering the car, can still drive, then after stop and opening a door the alarm goes off and we need to wait for it to stop - which it does after minutes (pushing any key buttons doesnt work). The app notes that “abnormal entry of the vehicle has triggered an alarm”. Tomorrow car is going to the garage - they say they don’t know what is happening. Any further advise appreciated

It was handled under RC008 in the UK

 

[Zdenek]

I have a similar problem, after starting the car it beeps saying the key was not detected. When I open the door, the alarm goes off — I turn it off with the key. Why does this keep happening? The service center didn't find anything that triggers it. I have changed the battery in the key.

 

[Yorkshire Hillbilly]

I have a similar problem, after starting the car it beeps saying the key was not detected. When I open the door, the alarm goes off — I turn it off with the key. Why does this keep happening? The service center didn't find anything that triggers it. I have changed the battery in the key.

What happens f you use the digital key in the iSMART app?

 

[Martinonline]

Does the problem occur with both key fobs?

Re-Edited to amplify correct information. (My memory was correct after trials.)

In my Trophy if I unlock the car and then sit in the driver's seat without the keyfob the infotainment screen is blank and the driver's screen shows 'Smart key not detected'. If I sit in the driver's seat with the keyfob the screens power up. If I then put the keyfob in my Faraday pouch and press the brake pedal to put the car into ready mode I either see the Smart key not detected warning or advice to put the key in the backup position.

@Zdenek, what do you screens and warnings show?

 

[Zdenek]

Does the problem occur with both key fobs?

Re-Edited to amplify correct information. (My memory was correct after trials.)

In my Trophy if I unlock the car and then sit in the driver's seat without the keyfob the infotainment screen is blank and the driver's screen shows 'Smart key not detected'. If I sit in the driver's seat with the keyfob the screens power up. If I then put the keyfob in my Faraday pouch and press the brake pedal to put the car into ready mode I either see the Smart key not detected warning or advice to put the key in the backup position.

@Zdenek, what do you screens and warnings show?

I unlock the car, the key is in my pocket or placed on the center console, I put it in gear and start driving, after 10 meters the central locks click and a message appears saying 'key not detected.' When I stop and open the door, the alarm goes off! Today I installed a new 12V Varta 52Ah battery and replaced the battery in the key.

 

[Martinonline]

I believe your car has a fault.

You can investigate by putting the car in Ready mode but not driving and then locking the car from the inside. Does the keyfob error show and the alarm sound when you then exit the car?

I assume you can power down the car (with the doors locked) from the infotainment screen and then see if the problem occurs.

Can you place the keyfob inside the centre console; there is a specific location in there if you have connection problems

Lastly, did your dealer drive the car to check the fault?

 

[Martinonline]

@Zdenek,

Edit to my last post: the back up location is in the arm rest centre console.

My car is MY22 Trophy (top specification).

Today I tried to recreate your fault. For my first attempt I put the car into Ready mode, placed the keyfob in tinfoil, locked the doors with the inside door button and moved backwards and forwards on my drive. I did not receive any keyfob warning messages nor did the alarm sound when I opened the door. Opening the door brought the car out of Ready mode and then I got the keyfob not present warning.

For my second experiment I put the car into Ready mode, placed the keyfob in tinfoil and started to drive to a local supermarket. This time when the doors locked automatically I got the keyfob warning messages plus bongs. I stopped and then opened the driver's door. No alarm sounded.

On reaching the supermarket I stayed in the car and repeated the last experiment but received no warnings. I will try again tomorrow.

If you have a Trophy/Luxury version you could try switching off automatic door locking to see what happens.

 

[Martinonline]

I've just repeated the second experiment - screening the keyfob with car auto-locking. Again the car locked automatically followed by the car warning the smart key could not be detected. But no alarm sounded when I opened the door.

So, @Zdenek, your car is not working the same ways as my car and I believe your car is faulty, firstly you should not be losing the smart key signal if your keyfob is working correctly and the alarm should not sound.

Are you placing your keyfob near the wireless charging mat if your car has one?

 

[Zdenek]

I've just repeated the second experiment - screening the keyfob with car auto-locking. Again the car locked automatically followed by the car warning the smart key could not be detected. But no alarm sounded when I opened the door.

So, @Zdenek, your car is not working the same ways as my car and I believe your car is faulty, firstly you should not be losing the smart key signal if your keyfob is working correctly and the alarm should not sound.

Are you placing your keyfob near the wireless charging mat if your car has one?

Hi, I'm putting the key in the net by the center armrest, I just removed the wireless charger. So we'll see tomorrow. Today it was beeping for my wife again!thank you