Central Locking occasionally fails to work

[GTB Liberty]

Is anyone having issues with their key based central locking.

Occasionally, like just then, my key seems to fail to lock or unlock the car, and I have to manually lock the internal doors (via the lock switch) and then lock the car with the key. Using the central door switch means the central locking works BUT not the transponder on occasions. The car starts so the key immobiliser works?

Like most occasions - I'll go back and it'll all work again later.

Any ideas as to why?

[teK--]

Have you tried taking both keys out with you and trying the alternate key when you have issues with one? If both keys are not working in a certain situation it could be either the keyless entry receiver in the car playing up, or an environmental issue (RF interference in the air). The latter can be ruled out if it happens everywhere you park instead of only in a select few locations.

[GTB Liberty]

Have you tried taking both keys out with you and trying the alternate key when you have issues with one? If both keys are not working in a certain situation it could be either the keyless entry receiver in the car playing up, or an environmental issue (RF interference in the air). The latter can be ruled out if it happens everywhere you park instead of only in a select few locations.

Good points TeK. I'll try to take both keys with me for a while and see if it's the singular key or environmental issues.

It has only occured about 5 or 6 times and not regularilly excepting it tends to happen in the suburb where my office is.

[Woodduck]

This may sound stupid...but i have trouble with my key when my car is parked on strange angles I stood at my car for 10 mins one day trying to figure out why it wouldnt work...ended up thinking it must have needed a new battery. But iv been back to this same place (exact park) 5 or 6 times since and EVERY time it does it! Must not be able to get to the sensor in the car or something? Anyway after that incident iv noticed that everytime my key plays up its when my car is sitting on a funny angle! Thought this might help you as you said its mainly in one spot?

[teK--]

Yep like any radio device the antenna for the transmitter and the transceiver should ideally be in the same orientation for the strongest signal. I.e. If the antenna in the car is vertically aligned then you would hold your remote so that it's internal antenna is the same.

You can test this theory by turning your remote control between those two planes to get worse or better range. Also obviously hold it as high as possible for better line of sight if you are getting a poor signal.

[nytrojen]

Yep like any radio device the antenna for the transmitter and the transceiver should ideally be in the same orientation for the strongest signal. I.e. If the antenna in the car is vertically aligned then you would hold your remote so that it's internal antenna is the same.

You can test this theory by turning your remote control between those two planes to get worse or better range. Also obviously hold it as high as possible for better line of sight if you are getting a poor signal.

You know what's weird... I don't know whether this was from Top Gear or not... but i've found that if I hold the remote up next to and against my head, the range of the remote central locking increases, as well as it seems to work everytime when pressing it normally fails to unlock for some reason.

I can prove it if you don't believe me!!

[teK--]

It's mostly due to the added elevation but I have also heard that your whole torso then becomes part of the antenna hence boosting the range.

[Ric]

Just rotating the key while it is transmitting should do the trick, which will happen if you lift it up to your head with the button pressed.

[cpitts]

You know what's weird... I don't know whether this was from Top Gear or not... but i've found that if I hold the remote up next to and against my head, the range of the remote central locking increases, as well as it seems to work everytime when pressing it normally fails to unlock for some reason.

I can prove it if you don't believe me!!

It WAS Top Gear and it's 100% TRUE!!!

My old man's new 5 series remote wasn't reaching the car on the weekend so I stuck it up against my temple and the car unlocked instantly.

The physics still doesn't make sense to me. I can only assume it's some sort of parabollic focus with the shape of the skull that sends the signal more directed at the car. Scarey, but the only way I can rationalise the change.

[wassell2381]

Mine does the same thing. Only when its sat outside in the cold i doesn't work. That's my excuse for always having a spot in the garage

[GTSPECB STI]

Should have got a black car Andrew...never happens with mine

[MY02B4]

Thread revival.

So it seems the remote takes quite a few presses before it unlocks the car but once it unlocks, it will lock/unlock on every subsequent press without issues so its the very first unlock that is buggy. The fact that it works fine on subsequent presses ,means its not a battery issue. Anyone else have this problem?

[SH30RB]

Thread revival.

So it seems the remote takes quite a few presses before it unlocks the car but once it unlocks, it will lock/unlock on every subsequent press without issues so its the very first unlock that is buggy. The fact that it works fine on subsequent presses ,means its not a battery issue. Anyone else have this problem?

it might actually be a battery issue in the remote/key

I had a similar problem a few months back, it would take a few presses of the button to lock/unlock. changed the battery in the key and hey presto!

[zch91]

Yep change your battery. Sounds like that's the issue here.

[Ric]

...The fact that it works fine on subsequent presses ,means its not a battery issue. ....

Wrong. It IS the battery dying. Just pop a new one in.