What is the reason why the Highlander cannot detect the key and fails to start?
2 Answers
Introduction to the reasons why the Highlander cannot detect the key and fails to start: 1. The key battery is dead: When any button on the key is pressed, check if the indicator light turns on. If not, the battery is dead. 2. Poor contact of the key battery: Remove the key casing, rotate the coin battery, or take it out and reinstall it after a while. 3. Signal interference: There may be electromagnetic interference or signal interference sources nearby, such as near cameras, telecommunication towers, or high-voltage power lines, which prevent the key from being detected. The issue will resolve once the vehicle moves away from the area.
Last time my Highlander also encountered this issue, and it took me quite a while to figure it out. The most common reason is a dead key fob battery—the coin cell battery usually needs replacement every one or two years. You can simply open the key fob and replace it with the same type of battery, which is available at supermarkets. Another possibility is signal interference. Once, when I parked in an underground mall garage, the car couldn’t detect the key. Later, I found out it was due to a strong magnetic phone mount in the neighboring car causing interference—moving to another parking spot fixed the issue. Additionally, if the key has been dropped or exposed to water, the internal circuit board might be damaged. In such cases, trying the spare key is the most reliable solution. If all else fails, check the car’s receiver module, though this is quite rare. For daily use, it’s best not to keep the key and phone in the same pocket to minimize interference.
