Our 2018 Karoq has developed an issue with the Kessy system. 3 weeks ago we thought it was the battery in the key which had gone so it was replaced and everything was fine. That was the 2nd time in 3 months that the battery had drained and couldn't be detected by the car. Each time the battery was replaced by Skoda. 

 

Last night it happened again. We tried replacing the battery but no use. We used the spare and it opened the car and started but then the next time we went to open it the spare key wouldn't work either. This is the first time since the car was bought that the spare key has been used. We used the key to get into the car but once inside unless the key was placed on the start button the car wouldn't start.

 

We have tried getting in contact with the local Skoda but no answer. Any idea as to what the issue could be or any possible fix for it?

Edited 28 March, 20206 yr by markc1184

We had exactly the same problem with our January 2018 Karoq 1.5TSi manual with standard KESSY. After dealer tried replacing the batteries in both key fobs several times in a couple of months they accepted that the problem was the key fobs themselves. Dealer ordered 2 new ones from the factory and after a 2 week wait car was booked in for 30 minute coding and everything has been fine since. This was 2 months ago all done under warranty. New keys are £215 each.

14 hours ago, shyVRS245 said:

We had exactly the same problem with our January 2018 Karoq 1.5TSi manual with standard KESSY. After dealer tried replacing the batteries in both key fobs several times in a couple of months they accepted that the problem was the key fobs themselves. Dealer ordered 2 new ones from the factory and after a 2 week wait car was booked in for 30 minute coding and everything has been fine since. This was 2 months ago all done under warranty. New keys are £215 each.

 

Thanks for that. They've fobbed us off with batteries up to now so I'll be pushing for a better fix. Did anything show up on diagnostics for your problem as that was mentioned to us before. Very awkward having to open the lock then get in and start the car so the other doors can be opened all with a 9 month old in tow.

30 minutes ago, markc1184 said:

 

Thanks for that. They've fobbed us off with batteries up to now so I'll be pushing for a better fix. Did anything show up on diagnostics for your problem as that was mentioned to us before. Very awkward having to open the lock then get in and start the car so the other doors can be opened all with a 9 month old in tow.

Had to call out the AA to our house to get into the car because neither key fob worked. He tested both batteries and they were fine showing 13V. So then he opened the car manually and the alarm went off. It took at least 5 minutes with the alarm going off until the car recognised the chip in one of the fobs and we could start the engine. He then did a diagnosis which brought up 4 fault codes. He told us to drive the car directly to the dealer 10 miles away for them to do more investigations. Initially they just changed the batteries and when I collected the car 2 days later. When both key fobs failed again they decided to order new ones. Don't let them fob you off insisting it is a battery issue. I genuinely believe there are a number of early Karoq's that were supplied with sub-standard key fobs which Skoda HQ are aware of but reluctant to replace them. I know many dealers are now closed which is a right pain when you experience this particular issue which can be solved if your dealer listens to you. Good luck getting your replacement key fobs. You can quote me my Dealer that supplied new key fobs was Marshalls, Leicester.

Edited 29 March, 20206 yr by shyVRS245
spelling mistake

Is the red light operating on the keyfob when you press any of the buttons?

 

 

If it is, and the KESSY is still being intermittent it might me an indicator that the keyfobs are faulty, rather than the batteries.

1 hour ago, silver1011 said:

Is the red light operating on the keyfob when you press any of the buttons?

 

 

If it is, and the KESSY is still being intermittent it might me an indicator that the keyfobs are faulty, rather than the batteries.

The red light is not lighting in either key and no warning on the dash. Even after replacing the batteries it is still the same. 

Edited 31 March, 20206 yr by markc1184

If even with fresh batteries the red light is not illuminating then that would suggest it isn't the batteries at fault.

 

Presumably the dealer synchronised the keys after replacing the batteries?

 

On 31/03/2020 at 19:32, silver1011 said:

If even with fresh batteries the red light is not illuminating then that would suggest it isn't the batteries at fault.

 

Presumably the dealer synchronised the keys after replacing the batteries?

 

We have never had a dealer do anything beyond replacing the battery and handling the key back. I'll try the sync procedure when I get a chance tomorrow and see how it goes.

Coming back to this today after finally getting the car into my local Skoda after they reopened this morning. At the moment they are having none of replacing the keys under warranty no matter how much I protested, saying they have to document multiple rapid failure of the batteries before they will go down the warranty route. The woman I was dealing with even recognised me from being in for several batteries already but they wont count she said. Pretty annoyed about the situation to be honest and will be contemplating moving from skoda all together when the time comes to change the Karoq.

46 minutes ago, markc1184 said:

Coming back to this today after finally getting the car into my local Skoda after they reopened this morning. At the moment they are having none of replacing the keys under warranty no matter how much I protested, saying they have to document multiple rapid failure of the batteries before they will go down the warranty route. The woman I was dealing with even recognised me from being in for several batteries already but they wont count she said. Pretty annoyed about the situation to be honest and will be contemplating moving from skoda all together when the time comes to change the Karoq.

 

Just to give you an idea of how long the batteries should be lasting ..... I bought my Karoq at the end of September 2018. The main and spare are both on their original batteries - that's nearly 20 months; I've just checked, and the tiny red LEDs are still operating on both keys. Some say that the batteries should be routinely changed at 12 months, other have also found that their batteries are good for 18 months. 

24 months and all three keys still working well on original batteries. 

We just had this happen to us after 25 months of ownership. The mainly used fob suddenly would not operate the car locks while we were away from home, so no spare! Noticed the LED was not working so was lucky to get a spare battery and replaced it. The key now operates the locks and we got home OK. I'll change the battery in the spare as a precaution now also. Thinking back to our previous Leon, the key fob battery died after about 25 months on that too.

 

I would say there has been no warning of this, but thinking back over recent months there has been a few times where the KESSY system did not operate on first attempt - which I put down to the car being stood idle for so long in lock down. This has also happened with the spare fob. Maybe this is a warning sign?

Edited 5 June, 20206 yr by Luckypants

To prevent surprises, every so often I check if Kessy still opens the doors from 1.5 m (both hands extended, one holding the key fob, the other grabbing the door handle) as it did from new and still does after 12 months.