Door Handle Lock/Unlock Button

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Rickker

Rickker

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Just asking if anyone has experienced this issue. When driving my 2019 Ultimate, I always keep the Smartkey in my pocket, and use the door handle lock/unlock button for the purpose intended. However, a couple of months ago, this feature would sometimes not work, and I would have to use the Smartkey to access the car or to lock it. At first, this malfunction only happened on the driver side door, but now happens on both doors. It is an intermittent problem, most of the time it does not work, but maybe 30% of the time it works normally. It may be related to ambient temperature, as when it is very cold it will usually not work, but if the car has been parked in the sun, it usually does. Weird. I am curious if anyone else has experience this issue. Thanks.
 
I had this, or certainly similar symptoms. A battery change on the key fob seemed to solve it for me.
 
The only other thing I can think of would be RF interference. Is there any chance that you've got something in your pockets that might be occasionally affecting the keys' performance?
 
KiwiME said:
Same symptoms and a battery replacement worked for me as well.
Click to expand...

Well, I have proven that the Smartkey battery is not the problem. At first it was only the driver side door, and I figured it was a contact problem when pushing the button, but now it happens with both doors. But not with the rear hatch. The hatch opens normally as it always has. So it has to do with the sensor circuitry involving the door button action in the proximity of the Smartkey.
I was just curious if this issue had come up with others on the Forum. I have a service appointment coming up and will have the dealer look at it. Of course, more than likely it will work just fine when the car is at the dealership. Not a major problem, just a nuisance.
 
I have had this problem very intermittently, but it's been rare enough that I haven't worried about it.
 
KiwiME said:
Same symptoms using the other key?
Click to expand...

Yes, exactly the same with both Smartkeys. Also the same whether it is me or my wife who is unlocking or locking, so that rules out any interference issue. I have an appointment with the dealer next Tuesday for a Safety Inspection (needed to transfer ownership) and will see if they are able to restore the proper button action.
 
I had the same problem starting about a month ago. When the fob was in my pocket I had to move it to within 4 inches to unlock the door. Battery replacement did not help. The dealer replaced both fobs under warranty and I have no better success. (I have a 19 Kona bought in 2020, with 11 months left on the warranty). Service writer wants to replace door handle mechanism next, but that doesn't seem right to me, since it happens on both doors. The car fortunately recognizes that the key is in the car for starting purposes. Any thoughts?
 
Does it happen at any street location? Same approx distance from either side of the car? There are antennas at several locations to detect the signal.
 
I think it is RF interference. I left my electronics (phone, watch) inside, and I was good. Further, I found that if I have my electronics with me, I can unlock if I am 4 inches from my keys - (7cm) or more than 20 inches (45 cm) from my phone. Welcome to the mid 21st century! Thanks!
 
That was my suspicion as the remote is specified as good for about 10m in clear conditions and no one has ever reported such a problem.

As the remote battery dies you'll find that the door push buttons become unreliable.
 
I have this problem, except that the door doesn't always lock. It does always unlock. I sense that it happens mostly when it is rainy. It happens with both keys but only at the driver's door.
I had an appointment with Hyundai, but the mechanics didn't get the issue to repeat. The manager suggested I leave my vehicle for several days so he can try repeatedly. "Hyundai will not replace the mechanism unless the shop experiences the door not locking. It's a $600 fix."
 
Can you hear the actuator attempting to engage when the locking problem occurs?
If you can, it may be the actuator mechanism as you suggested. Perhaps have the detail guy spray water all over it so the mechanic can see the issue.
BTW what manufacture year is the car?
 
My car is garaged so I don't lock when out of weather. I've not heard anything "trying to work,"
but I've not known there was an "actuator" to listen for and I'll have to pay attention to the affending locations. Certainly near my grocery store and the nearby Walgreens where I've noticed it the most, but that's where I go the most. Obviously, I need to keep records. It's a 2022 that I bought used 2000 miles ago when I replaced my 2019 Kona EV after it was totaled by a careless driver.
 
Just tried in my garage. Locked right up, then I unlocked and it finally locked on the fourth swipe of the back of my hand (which seems the most effective). Made me wonder, is there a time lapse required between unlock and lock? But when I did repeated actions, sometimes it locked right away and sometimes it took several attempts.
 
So it fails with the key fobs only on unlock.

Door outer button fails only on driver's door.

Inside lock/unlock works I assume?

Fob batteries replaced?
 
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