Keyfobs and central locking nightmare

[johnb5177]

Hi guys,

The title says it all.......having a nightmare with the temperamental c/locking system.....

Started not to lock/unlock on the fob, so changed battery...still iffy.....checked switching with cases off fob and battery in.....a bit iffy, so packed the fob/switches with a couple of thin pieces of plastic to increase switch pressure a little......... still iffy...

I have ordered a new fob/switches, also a replacement flip key fob to see if I can modify it....

My question I suppose is......does the original receiver in the vehicle (located where......?) Break down/fail after 16 years, or is it just the fob transmitter being difficult......:nenau

Many thanks in advance for any help offered......:bow

 

[solarman216]

the contacts in the fob get dirty, I have managed to strip them and clean them up but very fiddly process, never heard of the receiver failing, Rick

 

[jims-terrano]

3.0 litre SVE will probably have the square handled key which appears to be interchangeable older key as I’ve tried it on mine. Though the earlier separate fob with red and black buttons isn’t compatible.

Careful about the repair kits on eBay as I got one and the switches were physically too small as the terminals will not reach across the tracks on the circuit board. When soldering replacement switches on you have to clean the old solder flush with the tracks on the circuit board. The switches also need to be square too not out of alignment which is difficult and not to mention solder bridging tracks.
I got fed up and bought a replacement fob part of the key from a company from Wigan on eBay, this too was faulty but in fairness they did accept it back but dragged their heels sorting it out.
Have bought a pair of switches from eBay that physically fit and have a larger actual button made of a pale coloured rubber which according to the Internet are harder wearing but I’m struggling for time to fit them.

 

[macabethiel]

Remote locking nightmares

Our old r3mR only had one remote that worked. As there was no transponder in the key arrangement I bit the bullet and had a complete aftermarket alarm / immobiliser fitted with two nice new fobs. Cost me £199 fitted though so not cheap!

 

[johnb5177]

Okay, thanks for your replies....:thumb2

I have given the switches and board a squirt of foam contact cleaner, cleaned and dried off, and reassembled with new (old style) fob......having separated the unit and battery, I am assuming that I will have to re-register the fob with the car again.....:nenau

I have the instructions printed off from the download section, in the car folder/file....

 

[solarman216]

The switches on the ones I have stripped and cleaned are of the gold pads on the board and carbon rubber pads on the button, alcohol and lint free rag, and yes once the battery has been out for a few mins it will need reprogramming, Rick

 

[johnb5177]

Rick,

Thank you...:thumb2

Have to do that first thing, before a drive from Swansea up to my Sister in Barnsley, for what maybe a snowy weekend in Yorkshire.......:nenau

John

 

[solarman216]

wish I could come play in the snow, none down here :nenau , Rick

 

[Banshee]

As said it's usually the transmitters that give up, the receivers are usually bulletproof.

 

[johnb5177]

Well, I have tried a number of times to reregister the fob, to no avail.....

may try again when we get back home......:doh

but will probably just disconnect the rear horn...:nenau

 

[solarman216]

What Mhz is yours, I have a couple of working fobs, Rick

 

[jims-terrano]

Don’t go to the trouble of disconnecting the alarm horn, disconnect the bonnet switch on the drivers side lip of the wing and inner wing. Far easier and the alarm can’t set in the first place if it thinks the bonnet is open:thumbs

 

[johnb5177]

Rick, I'm not sure, the keys have Siemens stamped on them, but the receiver unit will have the frequency.......is it under the steering wheel console...?

 

[Banshee]

Don’t go to the trouble of disconnecting the alarm horn, disconnect the bonnet switch on the drivers side lip of the wing and inner wing. Far easier and the alarm can’t set in the first place if it thinks the bonnet is open:thumbs

LIGHTBULB MOMENT

I wonder if a faulty bonnet switch could account for my non operational alarm horn :augie :nenau

 

[solarman216]

Rick, I'm not sure, the keys have Siemens stamped on them, but the receiver unit will have the frequency.......is it under the steering wheel console...?

It will be in that area, Rick

 

[johnb5177]

To tired for long reply now, but thanks to all, will check things out tomorrow and get back to you guys....thank you...:bow

 

[johnb5177]

Hi guys,

Well, I tried disconnecting the switch under the bonnet.......

It does not stop the alarm horn from going off.......at least it doesn't on my car :doh

So will try the horn disconnect at the back, until I can spend more time when I get back.....

 

[jims-terrano]

That’s interesting, trying to think back to when I was working on the project truck as this switch stopped the alarm from setting. I wonder if it was left connected but unbolted from the inner wing.

 

[johnb5177]

A quick update, I disconnected the bonnet switch, but it didn't stop the horn blaring......
Jims-terrano cleverly suggested bridging the plug contacts, and bingo......no horn...:clap

The fob has had new larger micro switches, been reregistered, but the process failed on every occasion, so I think the fob may well be stuffed.....:doh

I cannot see any unit that looks like a transceiver unit, with frequencies, adjacent to the steering column......so I am none the wiser in that direction.....Rick has a couple of spare fobs that, if I knew the frequency, may be useful.....:nenau

Was the frequency used, dependent on the year of build......:nenau

Running out of time this week, out of UK until end April, so will continue project then.....many thanks to all again......great place, so much help......:thumb2 :thumb2:clap

 

[solarman216]

Was the frequency used, dependent on the year of build......

I think it was more to do with Bosch or Zexel ECU but nothing definite, Rick