DB11 Lost communication with FOB

[skhannes]

This is a new one for me. 2018 DB11 V12.

Was at lunch, came out and the FOB opened the trunk (boot) then unlocked the doors, but when the start button was pushed I received a "no key detected" message. Sitting there in the car trying just about everything I could think of, suddenly the sync occurred and I was able to start the car and get it back safely home and in my garage.

After numerous attempts of changing the 2032 FOB battery and disconnecting/reconnecting the car battery (which is/was up to voltage and now on a CTEK), the car started one time, and the door/trunk lock/unlock worked. Now, there is no communication between the fob and car at all.

I only have one FOB for this car. It does not appear the system immobilizer is/was impacted, just doesn't recognize the key all of a sudden. I'm looking for any input from anyone who might have experienced similar or same and anything you can offer to look at.

Since this I've contacted the closest AM dealer (in Tampa) and ordered a new complete FOB and metal key set (two FOBS and a metal emergency key). They are preparing this set now which takes weeks, then they want the car in their shop to program keys. My concern now is I cannot get the car started when the appointment comes up in January.

Any input appreciated.

[EVR]

I don't have clues on why this is happening, but at least on the Vantage, you can always start the car via a "traditional" ignition slot in the armrest storage between the seats, could be interesting to see if that is working for you as well:



If so, you just need the metal emergency key you ordered from the dealer to open the doors and you might be using the car sort of normally until January?

[skhannes]

Thanks for the reply! Appreciate it.

Yes, I know about the emergency start by inserting the key fob end into the traditional like ignition slot in the center console. I should have mentioned this in my first post, but that does not work either. It's as if the entire fob is for a different car. At least not mine anymore.

I cannot say this has ever happened on any other car. I posted up here wondering if this has happened to anyone else and how they resolved it. My fear is this is a rare failure.

[Emilio Largo]

Thanks, EVR. That´s helpful to know. This pointer used to be absent in the VH generation owner´s manuals (at least in mine). I had read about that trick in forums, though.

[SergiyZ]

I think your key is broken.Key db11 have 2 chanals,first for doors and boot and second is chip for imobilazer(can work in slot).Maybe second chanal is bad work.Try find good servise for keys.Excuse my english

[skhannes]

SergiyZ said:

I think your key is broken.Key db11 have 2 chanals,first for doors and boot and second is chip for imobilazer(can work in slot).Maybe second chanal is bad work.Try find good servise for keys.Excuse my english

Thanks for reply. This help me to think more about possible solutions.

[skhannes]

Well, today, while waiting for my new $5200 USD Key set to be prepared, and with a car where I've lost complete communication with the one key fob, I had a breakthrough today.

With nothing to lose (and everything to gain), assuming I would need to be towing my car from my garage to the Aston Martin dealer when the new keys are ready, I played around with the now useless key fob. I gave it a deep drenching in electronics contact cleaner. And now, for some good reason, the fob works in the glove box emergency key slot without the 2032 fob battery.

Now, I've started the car and driven it a few times and my confidence is restored I will be able to drive to the main dealer at new key time and not tow it.

This is the cleaner I used to literally soak the inside of the FOB where the battery usually sits.

[Import]

Interesting update…

[AndrewT1275]

Now that the battery contacts in the fob are clean have you tried putting a new battery in?

[Dewi 2]

skhannes said:

I gave it a deep drenching in electronics contact cleaner. And now, for some good reason, the fob works in the glove box emergency key slot without the 2032 fob battery.

Now, I've started the car and driven it a few times and my confidence is restored I will be able to drive to the main dealer at new key time and not tow it.

I am pleased for you that partial normality has returned.
A great relief.
It is always such a nuisance, when any car becomes immobile.

I was going to ask you whether there was an emergency key location.
Presumably having Mercedes-Benz electrinics, I thought there might be the same arrangement, whereby even a fob with a flat battery can continue to operate.


EDIT - $5,200 for a key. Difficult to believe. With only one supplier for a product, that is the outcome, but certainly does not encourage customer loyalty.
Wonder if a Mercedes-Benz fob can be programmed for an Aston Martin car?
Seeing the three pointed star would not matter, because the fob remains in our pocket.

Edited by Dewi 2 on Tuesday 11th November 08:37

[EVR]

Glad to read this!

[skhannes]

AndrewT1275 said:

Now that the battery contacts in the fob are clean have you tried putting a new battery in?

Hi Andrew,

I have not tried the battery...yet. I only have an appointment to program the new keys in January. My major concern right now is if I can drive the car to the dealer in Tampa Florida or if I have to flat bed it. Right now, if it were this moment, I can drive it there.

With all this time however, and given the DIYer that I am, I probably will try it at some point before Jan and hope I am not jinxing myself.

When the key fob started to fail then went permanent fail, nothing I did worked including the emergency key slot (just like an MB key), but I was always trying it with the 2032 FOB battery. When I soaked it with cleaner I tried the stripped down batteryless FOB in the MB like slot and miracle, it worked.

I am concerned if there is a shorted out part in the FOB and short is activated with a battery it could render the fob useless again. I'll update if I try the battery.

[skhannes]

Dewi 2 said:

I am pleased for you that partial normality has returned.
A great relief.
It is always such a nuisance, when any car becomes immobile.

I was going to ask you whether there was an emergency key location.
Presumably having Mercedes-Benz electrinics, I thought there might be the same arrangement, whereby even a fob with a flat battery can continue to operate.


EDIT - $5,200 for a key. Difficult to believe. With only one supplier for a product, that is the outcome, but certainly does not encourage customer loyalty.
Wonder if a Mercedes-Benz fob can be programmed for an Aston Martin car?
Seeing the three pointed star would not matter, because the fob remains in our pocket.

Edited by Dewi 2 on Tuesday 11th November 08:37

Hi Dewi,

On the cost $5200USD, I purchased the whole fob set that comes with a new car. It includes 2 fobs and one metal emergency key. The key itself can only be produced in the UK from AM directly and a key order like this takes weeks. The $5200 also includes the dealership labor part to introduce the keys to the immobilizer. Only AM has the key cut sequence in their records based on the car's VIN.

Still ridiculously high, but I am happy especially given the car is an AM. BTW, I might also be paying some tariff tax as part of the total...just do not know.

[skhannes]

I found the courage to experiment and I replaced the 2032 FOB battery to see if there would be a different result. Unfortunately, the FOB, once again, became completely disabled. Nothing worked, even inserting the key end of the FOB into the emergency ignition slot.

Not until I again completely removed the FOB battery was I able to insert the emergency key end and the car did, once again, start. Now, at least I know I can start/stop the car, just not lock and secure it. It is safe in my locked garage until such time as my dealer appointment comes around.

So, if there is a lesson here - If you lose the fob part of your key and the emergency part doesn't work, try taking the 2032 fob battery out then use the emergency key.