[rktheac]

I experienced a similar problem (car won't start) on my '13 Outback w/ SAP. It was not until i tried a few times when I noticed the "key not found" (can't recall the exact wording) error message on the center gauge cluster, which finally clicked in my head.

I happened to have been carrying, at that time, a similar keyless start fob for my '11 Prius and suspected that the car was getting confused. Sure enough, I took the Prius key fob and put it inside the house and made sure no other key fobs were in my pocket, and the car started right up. I tested the same on my Prius and it got confused as well.

The keyless start systems do seem to get confused when there are two or more conflicting key fobs. I had originally switched the key fobs whenever I switched cars, got tired of switching and put both key fobs in the same keychain. Now I'm back o switching them.

Might be a long shot.

 

[rktheac]

This is mentione in the owners manual. Not to have other keys on the key chain as it can cause issues with starting. Basically what was said in the quote the car gets mixed signals and wont allow the car to start. Do you have other keys on your key chain? I seem to remember the manual saying any keys even non fob can cause problems.

You're right it's mentioned on the manual. As a result of my experience, I carry only one key fob at a time. My wife and I hang our labeled key fobs in the office and take the appropriate key depending on what we're driving. That's more important on the Outback since we've programmed the key fobs to the our respective seat positions. With that change in procedure, no problems.

 

[rktheac]

Okay, I'm missing something because I thought you said you had keyless start?

On keyless start systems, NOT depressing the brake pedal and pressing the start button once will get you to ACC mode, pressing start again will get you to ON mode. Depressing the brake pedal and pressing the start button will start the engine.

 

[rktheac]

I asked our salesman the same question and he said no. There very well may be another method but I haven't been able to find one online yet.

I'm not sure if there is another way. Whether a keyless start or keyed start, both fobs contain a chip that identifies itself with the car's computer as being valid for the car. The act of mechanically inserting and twisting the key, or fingers pressing a button just completes a circuit that allows the engine to be started (this is simplified). I'm sure there's a way, but it may require specialized equipment that only Subaru has (i.e., not available to the public).