What is the keyout indicator light?
2 Answers
keyout indicates the absence of the key. The keyout indicator light is commonly found in Korean-made vehicles. When this light illuminates on the dashboard, it typically means the smart key is not inside the vehicle or is outside the effective detection range. However, if the smart key is indeed inside the car, the issue might be caused by insufficient battery power in the key, resulting in a weak signal that the vehicle cannot detect. Additionally, there could be damage or malfunction in the smart key system or wireless module. Another possibility is a system false alarm, which can usually be resolved by turning off and restarting the vehicle. Over time, car keys may experience remote control failure or reduced operating range, which can severely impact user experience. Replacing the key battery is a simple process: First, prepare the replacement battery. Then, remove the mechanical key from the smart key, open the key cover along the side seam, gently tap out the old battery, insert the new one, and reassemble the key following the disassembly steps in reverse order.
When I first started learning to drive, I noticed this Key Out indicator light. After removing the key, a small key icon would flash on the dashboard. This is actually the activation sign of the anti-theft system, indicating the car is protecting itself from theft. Normally, it's standard for the light to stay on for a few seconds and then flash after removing the key. However, if it stays constantly lit or doesn't light up at all, there might be an issue. For example, a depleted key battery could cause the system to fail to detect the signal, or a faulty anti-theft module might trigger false alarms. From my experience, if the light behaves abnormally, it's best to first try replacing the key battery or check if the car's computer settings are messed up. This situation doesn't affect driving, but the anti-theft function becomes ineffective when parked. That's why I regularly replace the key battery to prevent potential issues.
