Recently my 2008 is not starting unless the key is in the ignition. Very annoying and unusual. Any thoughts?
You mean, the fob must be inserted into the slot on the dash? Is the SKS completely dead? Can you use the smart entry feature? Did you check the SKS button under the steering column? Your car is new enough not to need a new fob battery. However, a handful have been known to fail early. If the dealer won't check it out, a new fob batter can be picked up at any place that sells watch/calculator/hearing aid batteries, should be under $5
Yes the fob must be inserted and I can't get into the car either without clicking the fob. I will check the SKS button under the steering column. I am not familiar with that button but will look. Thanks!
The button needs to be in the 'out' position for the SKS to work. It's easy to bump the button getting in or out of the car. My bet is on the button being pushed in.
I had the same problem as the author of this thread several months ago. The button was in the correct position and I didn't have a spare key in the car. I depressed the button several times and started/restarted the car. Eventually it began functioning correctly again and I haven't had a problem since.
I think the SKS system is designed to shut itself down after several days of non-use. This is done to conserve power in the 12V battery. It should restart as soon as you get the car to Ready mode, although that may require putting the keyfob in the slot in the dash. This is written up in the technical manual about SKS, but I don't recall the exact details.
So where is jaybird? I'm waiting for a resolution. Though I would like to suspect the SKS I am interested in case it's not.
