113 posts · Joined 2013. #4 · May 24, 2015. The key-less entry on mine has started acting up. Passenger side works as expected: about 1.5 meters from side of car the mirrors unfold and the lights come on. Press the door button and it unlocks. Drivers side does not respond until I touch the fob to the door handle. But the remote key can also stop working due to worn buttons, poor battery contact, water damage, defective key fob, receiver module issues, signal interference, dead 12 volt battery, and unpaired key requiring reprogramming. 1. Dead battery in key fob. Dead battery is the leading cause of key fob not working in Equinox. 2557 posts · Joined 2018. #10 · Jan 12, 2022. Alright now for the TEST of key only to start. I split the fob inside and went out to the Sorento & opened the door with the key. Upon inserting the handle LED light and other interior lights, so it was detected. now the fob is split and not battery contact. This warning message illuminates if the smart key is not in the vehicle when you press the Engine Start/Stop Button. It means that you should always have the smart key with you. This warning message illuminates if you can not operate the Engine Start/Stop Button when there is a problem with the Engine Start/Stop Button system. It means that Clean the key with a solvent and a small brush as well. Then try a small amount of penetrating oil, or some other type of cleaner on the cylinder and the key. You are not trying to soak the cylinder, just get some lube on the tumblers to allow for free movement. The reason the display said "key not in vehicle" is because it did not see the fob you left on the console. That was abnormal/unusual/not typical. That message along with the long beep should only happen when the car is running and the fob is not in the car and all doors are closed. Y. If the battery is weak or dead, the key fob will not be able to transmit the proper signal to the car’s receiver, and the car will not detect the key fob. Another common cause is a damaged or malfunctioning key fob antenna, which sends the signal from the key fob to the car’s receiver. The remote key fob may not be able to be detected by the Kia K5 key fob system if it is located next to a mobile phone, laptop or other electronic device; these devices may prevent the Iu7c.