View Full Version : Key Fob / Remote Locking Problem
This morning my remote locking has been playing up.
I've just locked the car on my drive with the fob (single press to lock) and now the red LED on the fob is flashing on/off every 1/2 second or so.
Unlocking the car is a bit hit & miss this morning.
Is that just a low battery indicator? If so, are they generic batteries or a dealer visit?
Eventually it will stop flashing and I can get into the car but after locking again it will start the flashing.
Cheers,
Chris.
I have noticed a couple of times in recent weeks the remote hasnt wanted to lock the car - walking away from the car and suddenly realising I hadnt heard the beeps. Go back and lock it with the key and it works fine after that. I did wonder if the battery was getting low too, but havent noticed any flashing leds.
**ahem**
CLICK HERE (http://www.seatcupra.net/guide_keybattery.htm)
may help out :p
Button battery (NB some later models may only have 1 large battery (CR2032) I reccomend replacing it with two of the thinner types (CR2016)
muddyboots
25-04-2004, 20:23
Excellent guide....
Blimey :cheers: Flapper.
As an update. Locked & alarmed the car via the remote last night (around 6pm).
Came to unlock it for the first time today about 5pm and not a peep from the remote. No LED when you press the button.
Pulled the thing apart (without said guide :rolleyes:) and replaced the single CR2032 with a spare (most PC motherboards use the same battery).
Thought I'd fixed it until I left the gym tonight and the thing was very dead again.
Used my key to unlock the drivers door and quickly started the car. Alarm didn't go enough - does starting the car inside a certain window stop the alarm sounding after a manual unlock?
Will visit Maplins ASAP to get a pair of CR2016.
Chris.
IIRC you get 15 seconds to turn the ignition on after manually unlocking the door to disarm the alarm.
Ta Dave :)
Will finally get to Maplins tomorrow - spent two days at a Microsoft conference and could be found in the Reebok Stadium car park swapping batteries in my fob every time I needed to get into the car :rolleyes:
cr2016 are dead cheap from ultraleds.co.uk (I think that's where i got mine).
Blimey - 24p each there Ed. £1.99 each at Maplins.
Flapper - what's the theory behind using two 2016s instead of one 2032?
Maplin quote a 2016 as having a capacity of 72 (doesn't mention a unit) but a 2032 as being 220.
Just had a message from UltraLeds saying my order has shipped.
Excellent tip Ed :thumbup:
muddyboots
28-04-2004, 17:57
Nice site that - some interesting products.
If I ever figure out how to gain access to the back of my headlamp units, I might bung some LED sidelight & indicator bulbs in, so there's no chance of them failing and me having to get the damn things out again !
Can you order a switch blade key for your car or are you stuck with the type you get with it when new I like the look of the switchblade so very AUDI. I WANT ONE NOW.
New batteries were on my door mat when I got in tonight. Seem to have improved things ie the remote now actually works! Fingers crossed that's the end of it :D
Nope - I think the fob must be FUBAR'd.
Had problems with the car locking at random when you where in it. After you left it and locked it, you'd have to press both buttons at once to stop the LED on the fob flashing and let you unlock it again.
Fob is now dead again - I wonder if it's draining the batteries that quickly?
On a bank holiday weekend too. Looks like I'll be perfecing the art of unlocking and cranking inside 10 seconds then...
You dont have to start the engine to disarm the alarm - just turn the ignition on (so no need to actually get in the seat, just put the keys in and turn the ignition on then get on with loading the car or whatever else you need to do before starting the engine)
kinghorna
03-05-2004, 13:05
the light may be flahing due to one of the buttons being broke ( mine flashes when you press it) this would also explain why the new batteries are now flat.
might not be though, just an idea
Ahh, that makes life easier Dave :thumbup:
The lock button doesn't feel the same as unlock. You can hear and feel unlock click but nothing from lock. Have dug out my spare key in case you need both to get the main fob replaced by a dealer.
Hopefully get chance to get it fixed tomorrow.
Called into Premier this morning. Too busy to even take a look (two technicians down for some reason) - could I come back later in the week :thumbd:
However, :thumbup: for Carnelian of Shrewsbury. I was out that way for work so I called in as I had some spare time. Very polite, efficient and nice showroom with plenty of parking. All sorted under warranty there and then, despite them having plenty of service jobs on and not selling me the car.
I now have a new remote coded up for my car and all seems to be fine :)
They did mention my old fob had the wrong batteries in it. I didn't try to explain I'd put two CR2016s in as per Flapper's guide :happy:
muddyboots
31-10-2004, 17:32
Just thought I'd revive this old thread; my remote keyfob has stopped working, I can't lock or unlock the car so I presume the battery is dead.
Thought it might help some of our newer members in case they have the same problem.
Near the start of the thread is a link to a battery replacement how-to, kindly provided by Flapper.
muddyboots
31-10-2004, 18:10
For reference, I just pulled by keyfob apart and it has a single CR2032 battery in it (not 2 CR2016s as on earlier models).
Ultraleds (mentioned above) don't sell the CR2032.
I found this site that does though:
http://www.battery-force.co.uk/show_CR2032_Batteries.html
I imagine most car accessory shops will sell them too.
muddyboots
03-11-2004, 07:37
Arse - new battery fitted and it still doesn't work. No activity from the LED at all. Sounds like yet another trip to the dealer...
Sounds par for the course. I tried a pair of CR2016s and a new CR2032 with no effect. I ended up with a new fob.
muddyboots
11-11-2004, 09:01
Chris -> Did they change the whole key, or just the plug-in bit with the buttons on ?
Just the electronic fob bit with buttons.
Otherwise you'd have to change the locks on the car, no?
Ive had one keyfob replaced under warranty already, now its stopped working ,no red light
even. Im not sure whether to have a go at changing the battery myself or let the dealer do it as its still under warranty, Im taking it in for a service soon anyway. Im a bit worried though - is it safe enough to just manually lock/unlock the doors and boot until then? Other threads talk about getting locked out if your car has been delocked what is this? I dont trust all this hi tech stuff , give me an ordinary key anyday!
Chris I would imagine they would have a blank key which you can get cut at a locksmith Ive done that before.
Just revisiting this old thread, Ive had the fob replaced under warranty, (dealer says they've never successfully replaced batteries) . It seems to be playing up already - on pressing to unlock,it wont ,and the LED just flashes continually. I have to press to lock and then unlock,when it works fine. Getting fed up with these remote keys ! Maybe it needs reprogrammed, ive looked at a few threads but cant find one for the mk4 .
I know im a newbie so i don't want to put my foot in with anyone so forgive me if i've misunderstood this and please correct me if im wrong.
I was reading the above posts on replacing the remote batteries and something doesn't add up.
The advice is to replace the 1x cr2032 (rated at 3V) with 2x cr2016 (also rated at 3V each). Well if i remebered my electronics calculations right, if the cr2016 batteries are in put together back to back (ie in series (+ - + -)) you are effectively doubling voltage to 6V (2x3 =6), instead of the 3V required and supplied by the cr2032. The result of this is that you will cook the remotes components. (eg. like wiring your 12V car radio into a 24V truck, only probably without the bang or the horrible smell) That would explain why dealer saying you have wrong batteries in.
If they were connected in parallel then you would have no problem as they would share the drain in power which would mean they last longer.
If i have understood the previous posts right and my maths is right then, I would only replace the battery in the remote with same type as came out doing the above you are likely to need a new remote, which i believe are expensive.
Plus if you have put in the cr2016s then try to revert back to cr2032, it would be too late as the components would have already cooked. Could explain why some remotes don't respond afterwards.
As i say i don't mean to tread on toes so if am wrong about above, please tell me.
RichieRich
06-11-2005, 14:59
chill14 it makes sence and yea i would agree with you im so glad i havent had any problems with mine fob!