Key fob/remote locking only unlocking drivers door following jump start last week

[Cdmac]

Hi guys. Long time lurker, first time poster.
I got a new remote fob just back in April for my Seat Leon FR TDI (2006 MK1). It's worked fine since getting it 9 months ago. However I noticed today that it now only unlocks the drivers door. It doesn't unlock the other doors, including car boot/trunk. One solution suggested to me is simply unlocking the passenger side door manually, but this isn't an option with my car. Now, the day before I noticed this problem my car battery died and I had to get a jump start off my wife's car. That was 2 days ago. My SEAT has been running fine since the jump start but it does seem the key fob/remote locking issue began same time that car battery died. Incidentally once I unlock the doors manually (using the central locking button on the inside of the drivers side door) the fob/remote will lock all the doors when I exit the vehicle, so the problem is limited to remotely unlocking doors, other than the drivers one. Is this likely a side effect of my car vattwry dying? Any suggestions appreciated. Cheers

 

[stevocupra]

Odd one that. We had an issue with our tt where it would constantly loose the key programming and it turned out the car battery was goosed. We used to reprogram it by puttig it in the door lock turning it and holding in the unlock position and pressing the unlock button then turning to the lock position and pressing the lock button. Not sure if seats are the same but might be worth a try.

 

[andycupra]

what happens if you press the button twice quickly?

there is an anti hijack type feature whereby one press opens drivers only, (as is what's required most of the time. - stops people in dark carparks etc entering your car). to open the others also you press it twice. (fairly quickly)

its likely the flat battery has returned the car to these stock settings.

IMO a nice feature.

 

[Cdmac]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys.
It doesn't matter if I press it twice or even five times, it'll only unlock the drivers door.
I'll try the TT suggestion tomorrow and report back, cheers.
iirc there's also a suggestion in the manual, something about using the master key to start the ignition then pressing the lock or unlock button on the separate fob within 10 seconds or so. I forget the exact directions so I'll try to find my user manual to check it. (Moving home so things aren't where they usually are!)

 

[Cdmac]

It's just a hassle when trying to get the dog or a load of a shopping bags in the boot! Especially given that I just paid to have the fob reprogrammed less than a year ago!

 

[stevocupra]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys.
It doesn't matter if I press it twice or even five times, it'll only unlock the drivers door.
I'll try the TT suggestion tomorrow and report back, cheers.
iirc there's also a suggestion in the manual, something about using the master key to start the ignition then pressing the lock or unlock button on the separate fob within 10 seconds or so. I forget the exact directions so I'll try to find my user manual to check it. (Moving home so things aren't where they usually are!)

If you cant find it I think i know where mine is so just shout if you want me to look

 

[chriswales6]

A few years ago my original battery was failing so I jumped started the car a few times and didn’t have this problem.

You could try re-booting the car, disconnect the battery for half an hour. This fixed a problem with the remote locking on a previous car I owned.

If you have access to VCDS then you can check/change the settings for the remote unlocking. Below is the section for the ‘Central Convenience’ there does seem to be lots of options to play with:

Selective Unlocking:
[Select]
[46 - Cent. Conv.] (35 - Cent. Locking for manual window cars)
[Recode - 07]
Write down the existing coding for future reference.
Enter 5-digit code from below
[Do It!]
Look at the existing Soft. Coding. If you have selective unlocking (press the unlock button on the remote once to open the driver's door, twice to open all the doors) the last digit of your coding should be an even number. To make all doors unlock, add 1 to the coding.
So, if you have a 2-door 2002 GTI that is coded for selective unlocking (00064) add one to make it 00065 so that all doors unlock with one press of the unlock button.
Lock/Unlock Horn/Flash:
[Select]
[46 - Cent. Conv.] (35 - Cent. Locking for manual window cars)
[Adaptation - 10]
Channel (03..08)
Adaptation Value (1 = on, 0 = off)
[Save]

Channel 03 Auto Lock
Channel 04 Auto Unlock
Channel 05 Unlock, horn sounds
Channel 06 Lock, horn sounds
Channel 07 Unlock, turn signals flash
Channel 08 Lock, turn signals flash

 

[andycupra]

do you have a second keyfob? tried this?

I still think its the one press for drivers door and 2 for others..

 

[Cdmac]

Hi all. I fitted a new car battery and now the fob is working again.

 

[stevocupra]

Hi all. I fitted a new car battery and now the fob is working again.

Winner!

 

[Cdmac]

Fob's completely stopped working now, but I think it may be the battery within the fob. I'll change it this week and report back.
Also, it seems fitting the new car battery has caused the car stereo to reset and I don't have the designated security code to reset it! Argh!

 

[Homer Simpson]

The battery in the fob is for the locking/unlocking only.

If you don't have the radio code then you will need to get it decoded or ask the dealer for it. It should be free but I'm sure they will try charging you for it. Try looking in your service book first.

 

[Cdmac]

Hi there,
Just to update, an independent auto locksmith has confirmed that changing the car battery is what's causing the key fob issue.
As for stereo, that's also due to changing the battery. Have phoned dealer and an waiting for a service technician to get back to me.
Damned SEAT; I changed the battery in my wife's Citroen back in November and no issues with her fob or stereo.

 

[Homer Simpson]

The Citroen (depending on year) would have the radio coded/transponded to the car so it doesn't require a code.

Once you get the radio code, there is a way to remove it so if it happens in the future, no code is required

 

[MacRDG]

Fob's completely stopped working now, but I think it may be the battery within the fob. I'll change it this week and report back.
Also, it seems fitting the new car battery has caused the car stereo to reset and I don't have the designated security code to reset it! Argh!

Hey Cdmac - did you confirm that the battery in your fob had died?

I have exactly the same problem as you did; my battery died after the Leon was sat idle for a couple of weeks. Charged it up and working fine but now I can only unlock the driver's door remotely. Very annoying! Just want to confirm that a new battery is the way to go

 

[Homer Simpson]

Hey Cdmac - did you confirm that the battery in your fob had died?

I have exactly the same problem as you did; my battery died after the Leon was sat idle for a couple of weeks. Charged it up and working fine but now I can only unlock the driver's door remotely. Very annoying! Just want to confirm that a new battery is the way to go

Does pressing the unlock button twice unlock the rest of the doors?

 

[MacRDG]

Nope - on the second press the doors make a noise as though they want to unlock but they don't. Makes me think that it might be the battery because it sounds like the locks are trying but don't have quite enough juice to unlock.

Only way to do it is using the button on the driver's door ...but surely that is the same thing! Odd.