Both of my Tesla Model 3 key cards mysteriously stopped working last weekend. I couldn't find a post here that precisely described how to proceed, so I thought I'd share what I learned.
I'm certain that both cards worked at some point, but I typically use my phone, so I hadn't used either card for a long while. I discovered the problem when trying to drop off my car in a parking garage. I tried the card in my wallet, and then the spare which I keep in a backpack... and neither worked. My phone worked fine as a key, but the garage attendant required a physical working key.
As others have noted, you cannot re-program a key card using your phone. You MUST have at least 1 working key card, in order to re-program another key card. (If you try to set up a key card in your car under Controls > Locks > Keys > Add Key, and scan your new key card, it'll then require you to scan an existing key card or key fob.) If you don't have a working key card, you'll need to rely on Tesla to re-program your key cards.
First, I tried roadside service. I chatted with an agent and eventually spoke to them live; they informed me that roadside service cannot re-program key cards. (I can understand a certain logic here. I wasn't stranded; my phone key worked fine. It was inconvenient that I couldn't leave my car with the garage, but I guess they didn't consider this to be a true roadside emergency.)
Next, I made a service center appointment. The first appointment slot was the next morning from 8am-12pm. It showed up in the app as mobile service (a Tesla agent would come out to the car). There wasn't any obvious choice to select "I need my key cards re-programmed"; I think I ended up choosing the option that said I wanted a key fob, and it showed an estimate of $190 for the service. Gulp... I approved the estimate.
I called the local service center the next morning to ask if I could just drive there and get the key cards re-programmed; she said yes, but I should just wait for the remote agent to arrive. When they arrived, they were able to re-program both of my key cards within about 5 minutes (I watched him put my car into service mode, then connect his laptop physically to the car). I told the agent I didn't actually need a key fob, which he said was fine. There ended up being no charge for the mobile service (nice!).
The owners manual sort of says this, but it's brief and ambiguous text. All it says is - "In the event you lose both keys [sic] cards, schedule a service appointment through the mobile app to replace and pair them." I didn't actually LOSE the keys; it really should say "In the event you have no working key card...". And it's a bit frustrating that when you go to schedule a service appointment in the app, there's no obvious choice for "I need to re-program my key cards," so you're not REALLY sure you're in the right place. (But, you are.)
Lessons learned -
"Tesla Model3 Key Fob" by Jzh2074 is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Admin note: Image added for Blog Feed thumbnail
I'm certain that both cards worked at some point, but I typically use my phone, so I hadn't used either card for a long while. I discovered the problem when trying to drop off my car in a parking garage. I tried the card in my wallet, and then the spare which I keep in a backpack... and neither worked. My phone worked fine as a key, but the garage attendant required a physical working key.
As others have noted, you cannot re-program a key card using your phone. You MUST have at least 1 working key card, in order to re-program another key card. (If you try to set up a key card in your car under Controls > Locks > Keys > Add Key, and scan your new key card, it'll then require you to scan an existing key card or key fob.) If you don't have a working key card, you'll need to rely on Tesla to re-program your key cards.
First, I tried roadside service. I chatted with an agent and eventually spoke to them live; they informed me that roadside service cannot re-program key cards. (I can understand a certain logic here. I wasn't stranded; my phone key worked fine. It was inconvenient that I couldn't leave my car with the garage, but I guess they didn't consider this to be a true roadside emergency.)
Next, I made a service center appointment. The first appointment slot was the next morning from 8am-12pm. It showed up in the app as mobile service (a Tesla agent would come out to the car). There wasn't any obvious choice to select "I need my key cards re-programmed"; I think I ended up choosing the option that said I wanted a key fob, and it showed an estimate of $190 for the service. Gulp... I approved the estimate.
I called the local service center the next morning to ask if I could just drive there and get the key cards re-programmed; she said yes, but I should just wait for the remote agent to arrive. When they arrived, they were able to re-program both of my key cards within about 5 minutes (I watched him put my car into service mode, then connect his laptop physically to the car). I told the agent I didn't actually need a key fob, which he said was fine. There ended up being no charge for the mobile service (nice!).
The owners manual sort of says this, but it's brief and ambiguous text. All it says is - "In the event you lose both keys [sic] cards, schedule a service appointment through the mobile app to replace and pair them." I didn't actually LOSE the keys; it really should say "In the event you have no working key card...". And it's a bit frustrating that when you go to schedule a service appointment in the app, there's no obvious choice for "I need to re-program my key cards," so you're not REALLY sure you're in the right place. (But, you are.)
Lessons learned -
- It's true, you cannot re-program a key card unless you have 1 working key card to start with.
- You cannot set up someone else's phone as a key, unless you have 1 working key card. (I tried this too.)
- Key cards can, apparently, just stop working after awhile. Might be worthwhile to check your key cards every few months to make sure they still work.
- It might be worthwhile to buy a few spare key cards and store them someplace safe, in case your 2 main key cards stop working.
- Tesla roadside service cannot re-program key cards.
- Tesla service centers can re-program key cards, and seem willing to do this without an appointment (although it does require a technician to physically connect a laptop to your car).
- Tesla mobile service CAN re-program your key cards when they arrive at your car.
- There is no charge for Tesla to re-program your key cards.
"Tesla Model3 Key Fob" by Jzh2074 is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Admin note: Image added for Blog Feed thumbnail
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