Compare active and passive entry
Button commands and touch-handle proximity may fail independently.
Mobile automotive locksmith · Spokane, WA
Smart key and proximity fob replacement
Push-to-start vehicles rely on more than remote buttons. The correct device must communicate with the vehicle for passive entry, starting and emergency backup access where equipped.
Valid ID and proof of vehicle ownership are required before service.
Spokane and confirmed nearby service areas.
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At your vehicleMobile service when coverage is confirmed
Vehicle-specificYear, make, model and key situation checked first
Security firstID and ownership verification required
How the request is evaluated
Proximity access depends on more than the fob battery
Smart-key systems coordinate the device, cabin and exterior antennas, start authorization and an emergency backup method. The same “key not detected” message can therefore have several causes.
Check emergency behavior
The model-specific backup start position can help isolate a weak or unread device.
Confirm smart-key identity
Frequency, board and part identifiers must match before enrollment is attempted.
Details that change the job
Check proximity, remote commands and backup start as separate paths
A smart key communicates through several vehicle antennas and modules. Passive entry can fail while remote buttons still work, or a weak device can operate only when placed at the emergency start location.
Report where detection fails, whether both sides of the vehicle behave the same and whether another fob works normally. Those observations help avoid replacing a device when the symptom may sit elsewhere in the system.
- Passive entry and button commands
- In-cabin detection and backup position
- Correct board, frequency and emergency blade
Proximity systems
What a complete smart key should do
Depending on the vehicle, the device may support passive door entry, push-button start, remote lock/unlock, panic, trunk release and a mechanical emergency blade. Each expected function should be included in the part selection and final test.
If the dashboard shows “key not detected,” note whether holding the fob near the emergency start location changes the result. That detail can help separate a weak battery from a deeper pairing or hardware issue.
- New smart key enrollment where supported
- Replacement emergency blade cutting
- Remote and passive-entry function testing
- Review of existing keys during enrollment
Replacement decisions
OEM, aftermarket and used devices are not interchangeable promises
Different device sources carry different compatibility and reuse risks. A used fob may be locked or require reset work. An aftermarket device may omit a function or use different electronics. The quote should identify the proposed device and what will be tested.
If a spare remains
Add a smart key before the last one disappears
An additional-key procedure can be different from an all-keys-lost recovery. If one device still works, say so during intake and consider creating a tested spare before an emergency.
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Explore servicesFrequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Can you replace a push-to-start key with no original?
Many systems have an all-keys-lost path, but support and parts vary. Vehicle details and ownership must be checked first.
What is the emergency blade for?
It can provide mechanical access when the fob battery or electronic system is unavailable. Its exact use depends on the vehicle.
Why does the car start only when the fob touches the button?
That can point to a weak fob battery or backup detection behavior, but it is not a complete diagnosis. Report the exact symptom.
Can a used smart key be programmed?
Sometimes only after a supported reset, and sometimes not at all. Compatibility must be checked by part and vehicle.
Tell us what you drive
Request service in the Spokane area
Send the vehicle year, make, model, current location and what happened. We will confirm coverage, likely key type and the next available step before dispatch.