Problem with MG ZS EV Smartkey Detection;

[Alan]

When I had a similar problem earlier in the year, a 12v battery disconnect/reconnect sorted it out. You can also try putting the key in the cup holder between the front seats as there is a sensor in there.

 

[Edoc16]

No, but he probably did read it which puts him ahead of 90% of owners

Not wrong ....

 

[Runnerarne]

If you keep it i away from the cellphone, ill think it your problems go away....

 

[danj]

I think the car's key system got confused.
It happened to my car when it was in a bodyshop after an accident. The garage left the key in the car for about a week and after that time the car would not work with that key, although it was still possible to lock and unlock the car, it just would not fire up to the "ready" state. Putting the key in the cupholder made no difference.
I had to go to the garage with the other key which worked OK and everything returned to normal.

This happened with my car when it was at the bodyshop, very strange!

 

[JodyS21]

this is in the '5 manual. May apply to the ZS too:
Inadvertent Locking of Keys in Vehicle
If the vehicle is locked using the mechanical key blade or
handset whilst a smart key/s remain inside, the following
actions will occur:
• One smart key locked in the vehicle - The
immobilisation release function of the smart key locked
in the vehicle is suspended, the lock and unlock function
of the smart key is retained. The vehicle will not change
power state. To reinstate the immobiliser release
function of the smart key locked in the vehicle the
second smart key should be used to unlock the vehicle.
The function will automatically be reinstated.

Also, make sure she didn;t have her key and her phone in the same pocket / next to each other in the handbag. The phone (or something else) could be blocking the signal.

I think you've pretty much explained what happened.

I had a similar experience a few weeks ago, not had a chance to retest it out etc.
I unlocked and put the car into ready mode, put the heating on full, opened the drivers window, got out of the car and closed the door, pressed the drivers lock button through the window followed by the driver window close button (and removed my arm quite quickly). The car was then locked and running (to defrost it). 10 minutes or so later, went out to the car and it wouldn't let me unlock the car, I remember the alarm even went off at one point. I had to go and get the 2nd key so that I could unlock the car.
So there is a few "confused" states that the car can get into using keys/starting it/removing keys etc.
At some point this winter I'll figure out all of the permutations that allow it to be heated/locked without any issues.

 

[Tim Green]

Following what you did to the car, I’m not surprised it got confused!
What I learnt is that you have to use the keys in a “normal” way, and if you do that it should work normally.

 

[kiwipete]

Hi. In a reply to this key query: I have experienced a similar problem. (car unlocking / going / arriving) and then neither the smart key nor the exterior handle button would lock the vehicle. Started the car and went for short drive . All worked OK. Then, back to the No-lock senario again. Took the key apart, checked the battery condition with a meter) --all seemed OK. Very slightly prised up the battery-connecting contacts to give a better connection with the battery. Cleaned battery and connectors with isopropyl alcohol and re-assembled the key. Fixed the problem.

 

[T8225748]

The only time that I have had this occur is when I have parked in very close proximity (25 to 30 metres) of a mobile phone tower. The only way to get the car started was to place the key into the shielded console position to be able to start the car and move it appropriately 200 metres away. Everything then worked fine. This is a known issue to most car manufacturers with smart keys.

 

[retrobus]

This happened with my car when it was at the bodyshop, very strange!

hi i have the same problem but dont have a 2nd key ..i gave the car to workshop to fix the door. they removed the door lock plug and tried to open the ingniton .the car won't reconize the key even if you put it in to the back cup holder. it's gone into theft mode. how can i fix it, anyone? thanks

 

[Tim Green]

Take all keys away from the car for say 24 hours. I mean say 20. metres from the car.
It should then work as normal.

 

[Lovemyev]

hi i have the same problem but dont have a 2nd key ..i gave the car to workshop to fix the door. they removed the door lock plug and tried to open the ingniton .the car won't reconize the key even if you put it in to the back cup holder. it's gone into theft mode. how can i fix it, anyone? thanks

We had the wiring loom replaced under a recall from MG on our first ZS EV.
The technician left the key fob close to the car while the work was being carried out.
The car then thought a theft was taking place and set off the alarm and wiped out the code from the key fob.
Every time they connected the 12 volt battery the alarm would sound !.
The car would not boot up and was completely unresponsive.
They called and asked for the spare key.
This worked perfectly, but they needed to recode the first key.
They told me that they have to recode both fob keys.
The technician said that the MG process makes no mention of having the key, well away from the car when breaking into the wiring loom.
Although it was clear that it was this that had caused the problem !.
As the spare key was at our home address at the time the work was carried out, it was able to be recognised by the car and it functioned correctly.