Key fob Questions

[bigjeeze]

I am having problems with my key fob. I replaced the batteries - twice now!. Yet despite a strong red light whenever buttons are pressed it is still completely random as to whether or not it will open or close the doors.     Gregers kindly suggested it may be a dry joint - which is possible but which one?

Is this definitely a fob problem or is there something gone awry in the car unit?

Any suggestions gratefully received.

BJ

[Mirez]

I don't think I've ever seen an issue with the receiver in the car, it's always the fob electronics that break although normally its a complete loss of signal rather then an intermittent issue. I would start with the contact switches and check they are making and breaking correctly when pushed.

[gregers]

i may be barking up the wrong tree,or just plain barking

but somewhere in the empty space of my mind i seem to remember someone showing me a way to test fobs by placing them close to a radio,set to a load of static and press the buttons on the remote.any interference then bingo its works?.

might be worth scanning youtube for a vid of it.

[bigjeeze]

The contact switches seem to be working properly - or at least are allowing the light to work. Is there a possibility that there could be a problem with the control unit?   Is this located in the dashboard?

[bigjeeze]

Any ideas - Anyone?

[insanitybeard]

Being that it's the remote fobs that actually get physical use & abuse I'd always suspect the fob first before the receiver which isn't disturbed in normal use. Do you only have the one remote? If so then I'd consider picking up a secondhand one from the likes of to try if you don't want to spend the (admittedly stupid amount of) money on a new one. Have you tried reprogramming the remote to see if it makes any difference?

[bigjeeze]

I have a spare remote - I bought it complete with an uncut key - but no one will cut it for me!

I have swapped over remotes by using one of the other keys to program it but I still have the issue. I'll try and obtain another one and see if that helps.


Cheers

[insanitybeard]

Did you programme both your replacement fob and your original suspect one at the same time? They both need to be programmed in the same programming procedure- i.e, one immediately after the other. As long as you know the other fob (the replacement one you've bought) is a good working unit and you are able to programme it properly it should allow you to determine if the fob is at fault or if it's something else. If the fob isn't working properly and not transmitting properly you probably wouldn't be able to programme it in the first place.

[gregers]

timpsons cut my old 1,have they stopped doing them now then?

[bigjeeze]

Hi Gregers

Yes I programmed both keys at the same time - but both seem to have the same problem.

Timpsons group policy is that they won't cut customer supplied keys.

[bigjeeze]

Is there any chance that the key fob intermittent performance could be anything to do with the door wiring?   All doors locks and windows etc. work fine with no problems .  As I have said previously the lights on the key fob flash whenever I press either button so I am at a loss as to where I go from here.

[bigjeeze]

I've tried programming my key fob but nothing g happens when I turn three times all that happens is that the Windows open!

What am I doing wrong?

[insanitybeard]

Can you actually get the vehicle into learn mode- does the led on the top of the driver's door trim illuminate after you've turned the driver's door lock to the unlock position three times as per the procedure?

[bigjeeze]

No

As I start doing the 3 turns it usually starts to lower the windows on the third go!

I suppose it could be that the fob is totally knackered  - but two of them at the same time?

[SilverBeast]

It should only open the windows if you hold it in the unlock position.  It sounds like returning to the start position isn't releasing the microswitch in the mechanism fully.  It may be the switch is a bit "sticky". Have you tried doing it quite slowly?

[insanitybeard]

If the vehicle won't enter learn mode then the fault is something other than the remote fob (the fob/s could still be faulty but until you can get the vehicle into learn mode you won't accomplish anything). Turning the key in the lock should rotate an electrical switch (or 'paddles') attached to the lock barrel which tells the vehicle the lock is being operated so it can operate the central locking accordingly. If the paddles were broken then usually I would expect the central locking to not operate properly, plus if the global opening is working (as you say it is) then equally that suggests that the vehicle recognises that you are operating the door lock and that the paddles are working.

This being the case, as Silverbeast says are you positive that when you are turning the key to the unlock position in the driver's door lock to enter remote key programming mode you are holding the key in the unlock position long enough each of the three times required for the key position to be recognised properly? And that you're letting it sit in rest (central) position for long enough for the same reason? Sorry if I sound like I'm stating the obvious here, just trying to understand what is or isn't happening.

[bigjeeze]

Apologies for the delay in responding. Once again guys thank you for your help. I bought a second hand key for Ã,£20 off e bay which works perfectly. ( I swapped the blades over of course!)

Anyone got any ideas how I might attempt to repair the two remotes I now have? They both flash lights at each button press so the buttons appear to be working - but they don't operate the locks etc.  Is there any particular part of the fob that I could check for dry joints etc.?

One other slight issue that has come to light - On global opening - all windows operate as they should but on closing - the drivers window doesn't - yet it goes up and down with no issue when using the buttons.  Any ideas?


Thanks once again.

[gregers]

from what i have read in the past,its the actual pcb that basically breaks,everytime the buttons are pressed puts pressure on the board.
personally i dont have a scooby what a dry joint looks like,perhaps youtube could be your friend here,and depending on your soldering skills you might be able to do the repairs to it??.

[bigjeeze]

  The irritating issue is that the buttons when pressed light up the led - so whatever else isn't working the buttons are!.  I have looked at the board with a lens and cannot see any cracks or obvious problems. So it's either a component failure or they are just worn out!