Central Locking
Discussion
My 56 plate VXR has been showing up a problem which I think might be the start of a fault recently. On approaching the car I push the unlock button and nothing happens - the car won't react to any of the buttons on the key fob. I then have to unlock the car with the key in the driver’s door and when I open the door the alarm goes off and can't be stopped with the key fob. As soon as I place the key in the ignition, and turn it on the alarm stops and everything returns to normal. When I start up and drive away the dash display says 'driver’s door' a few times, which I assume is saying which alarm zone has been tripped. Happens once every two weeks but I assume it won't get better. Anyone else had this experience or any ideas?
Hi,
This is a long shot but happened to me at a dealers, They are located very near (100 Yards) from a telephone mast/Transmitter. I could not get in the car with the key fob and had to open the car with the key, hence the alarm sounded. Dealer said it happens all the time with them, its never happend to me again.
Nigel
This is a long shot but happened to me at a dealers, They are located very near (100 Yards) from a telephone mast/Transmitter. I could not get in the car with the key fob and had to open the car with the key, hence the alarm sounded. Dealer said it happens all the time with them, its never happend to me again.
Nigel
Bizarrely, going through a problem with my '04 Tahoe at the moment.
It's currently with Mark at Rapid GB (formerly Linden Special Vehicles, of supercharging Monaro and Ultima fame) There is a problem with some GM models VATS (vehicle anti theft system) and how radio interference can screw it up !!! Mine died at Gatwick airport and cranked but wouldn't start. Seems there is this potential problem with Ausi imports too as he's had a few in with VATS/pass-key issues.
That's why I came over to this forum, to see if any of you have had similar incidents ??
Interesting excerpt from this technical bulletin
One of the earliest problems reported (during the early 1980s) concerned vehicles on a German Autobahn stopping near to a broadcast radio transmitter due to interference with the engine management systems. Eventually, a Faraday cage had to be erected over the road to prevent the problem!
In the UK, again during the early 1980s, many radio amateurs noticed that their vehicle direction indicators would double their flash rate if they operated amateur radio transmitters within their vehicles. Many mobile phone users noticed that the phone would unlock the car doors and unset the security system.
The major problem of the mid to late 1990s has concerned the fitment of security systems to vehicles – the type where a radio transmitting key fob is used to lock/unlock the doors and set/unset the engine immobiliser. Unfortunately, the frequency currently allocated to new key fob systems (433.92MHz) is in a band allocated to a number of other low-power devices and in a section of the RF spectrum where the prime user is the military and then radio amateurs. This has caused numerous motorists to be locked out of their vehicles. Further lock-out problems have been shown to be caused by the launch of the TETRA service. TETRA creates even greater problems for older style radio keyfob central locking and security systems in the UK operating at 418MHz, closer to the frequencies used by TETRA. These problems are due to the very low selectivity of the receivers used in order to produce a low-cost product. Their immunity to blocking by off-frequency sources is not adequate for operation in this crowded part of the RF spectrum. A committee (Ref. 14) was set up to look into the problem, the RAKE (Radio Activated Key Entry)
committee. Although the longer-term aim has been to improve receiver selectivity and persuade the CEPT to allocate a new frequency for key fobs, one piece of advice to customers is somewhat disturbing: “Where possible, do not park near large electronic and radio communication installations; close to airport buildings and radar units; masts etc.
(edit: actually didn't just die. I was in the pick-up zone, switched the engine off, then it wouldn't re-start. Recovery driver says he gets it from time-to-time with all sorts of makes, once away from the airport they usually start ok, mine didn't !)
It's currently with Mark at Rapid GB (formerly Linden Special Vehicles, of supercharging Monaro and Ultima fame) There is a problem with some GM models VATS (vehicle anti theft system) and how radio interference can screw it up !!! Mine died at Gatwick airport and cranked but wouldn't start. Seems there is this potential problem with Ausi imports too as he's had a few in with VATS/pass-key issues.
That's why I came over to this forum, to see if any of you have had similar incidents ??
Interesting excerpt from this technical bulletin
One of the earliest problems reported (during the early 1980s) concerned vehicles on a German Autobahn stopping near to a broadcast radio transmitter due to interference with the engine management systems. Eventually, a Faraday cage had to be erected over the road to prevent the problem!
In the UK, again during the early 1980s, many radio amateurs noticed that their vehicle direction indicators would double their flash rate if they operated amateur radio transmitters within their vehicles. Many mobile phone users noticed that the phone would unlock the car doors and unset the security system.
The major problem of the mid to late 1990s has concerned the fitment of security systems to vehicles – the type where a radio transmitting key fob is used to lock/unlock the doors and set/unset the engine immobiliser. Unfortunately, the frequency currently allocated to new key fob systems (433.92MHz) is in a band allocated to a number of other low-power devices and in a section of the RF spectrum where the prime user is the military and then radio amateurs. This has caused numerous motorists to be locked out of their vehicles. Further lock-out problems have been shown to be caused by the launch of the TETRA service. TETRA creates even greater problems for older style radio keyfob central locking and security systems in the UK operating at 418MHz, closer to the frequencies used by TETRA. These problems are due to the very low selectivity of the receivers used in order to produce a low-cost product. Their immunity to blocking by off-frequency sources is not adequate for operation in this crowded part of the RF spectrum. A committee (Ref. 14) was set up to look into the problem, the RAKE (Radio Activated Key Entry)
committee. Although the longer-term aim has been to improve receiver selectivity and persuade the CEPT to allocate a new frequency for key fobs, one piece of advice to customers is somewhat disturbing: “Where possible, do not park near large electronic and radio communication installations; close to airport buildings and radar units; masts etc.
(edit: actually didn't just die. I was in the pick-up zone, switched the engine off, then it wouldn't re-start. Recovery driver says he gets it from time-to-time with all sorts of makes, once away from the airport they usually start ok, mine didn't !)
Edited by ws6 on Saturday 14th July 11:22
Doleboy said:
If it is radio interference, try holding the key fob against your chin or biting it, when you press the button.
This boosts the radio signal.
Honest.
This boosts the radio signal.
Honest.
Yes it does work! I remember a very funny Top Gear where Clarkson was trying it out.
I also remember at Silverstone my central locking refused to work. Since then I have never had a problem and I put it down to some sort of interference.
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