Locked itself......

[amazon]

Have been leaving the car unlocked due to a suspected alarm/key fob problem. Now it appears to have locked itself - I can't get into the boot or open either door.

I know how to get into the car, this post is to ask if anyone has had this problem before? If so, would you help me to narrow down the cause please?

Here's hoping! Thanks .

[SimonSparrow]

Is it worth replacing the little batteries in the keyfob? Good luck!

[RUSSELLM]

I've never heard of it happening Nicky.

Unless it's "self armed" (where as my car seems to self harm), the only other reason for the doors not opening would be a flat battery.

[optimax sniffer]

If my doors play up I normally remove the door/window ecu box for a while. Alternatively give carl baker a call at Car & Bike installations - http://www.tvruk.tv

[amazon]

Thank you all for your suggestions! I have been out since I posted the thread, so have not tried to sort it out yet.

I don't believe I have a battery problem, but never say never of course.

The car was unlocked already, so I don't believe it is a battery in the key fob issue - but then again.........

I do believe I should speak with Carl Baker, this is overdue since the car refused to unlock in December for about 10 minutes of trying and then hey presto!

So, provided the car is amenable to the idea, I will get in tomorrow and start following the suggestions! I will post notes when it is sorted .

Thanks!

[Manfred]

Same thing happened to me on sunday. Sun was shining and I wanted to take her out for a ride. Battery was low and she needed a jump start. No problem, she startet as I pushed the button. I got out of the car to shut the bonnet, closed the door and I could not open a door or the boot again. Engine was still running. Good to know how to get in. I unplugged the door control box, waited a few minutes, put the box back, and everything was fine.

[Luca Brazzi]

Carl Baker - genius And installer of fantastic audio in Tuscans and Cerbs

Nice to meet you last night Amazon.

All the best,
LB

[Manfred]

Same thing happened to me on sunday. Sun was shining and I wanted to take her out for a ride. Battery was low and she needed a jump start. No problem, she startet as I pushed the button. I got out of the car to shut the bonnet, closed the door and I could not open a door or the boot again. Engine was still running. Good to know how to get in. I unplugged the door control box, waited a few minutes, put the box back, and everything was fine.

[dinkel]

TheFarmer had the same thing on his loud 4.2 and he might've solved the problem by now . . . it had something to do with alarms and all. He serviced his C near you since James M. has spotted it - and maybe spammed you already with his snaps

It might be worth to PM him about. Damn electrics.

[amazon]

Luca Brazzi said:

Carl Baker - genius And installer of fantastic audio in Tuscans and Cerbs

Nice to meet you last night Amazon.

All the best,
LB

Thank you for the advice. Carl Baker certainly comes very highly recommended! I have spoken to him and we have a plan!

Pleased to meet you too LB

[amazon]

dinkel said:

TheFarmer had the same thing on his loud 4.2 and he might've solved the problem by now . . . it had something to do with alarms and all. He serviced his C near you since James M. has spotted it - and maybe spammed you already with his snaps

It might be worth to PM him about. Damn electrics.

Thx Dink

[amazon]

Manfred said:

Same thing happened to me on sunday. Sun was shining and I wanted to take her out for a ride. Battery was low and she needed a jump start. No problem, she startet as I pushed the button. I got out of the car to shut the bonnet, closed the door and I could not open a door or the boot again. Engine was still running. Good to know how to get in. I unplugged the door control box, waited a few minutes, put the box back, and everything was fine.

Thx

[KillerJim]

A low battery may not be delivering the required voltage to the ECU and therefore it may be going into a 'confused' state.

We have similar problems in some microchips at my work, most are supposed to be 'held in reset' when the power drops below a certain level (brown out).

[amazon]

KillerJim said:

A low battery may not be delivering the required voltage to the ECU and therefore it may be going into a 'confused' state.

We have similar problems in some microchips at my work, most are supposed to be 'held in reset' when the power drops below a certain level (brown out).

Interesting to note that, because I have just got the battery out of the car and on charge, but was surprised to see that the charger needle did not go shooting up the scale and is sitting about 2/3 the way up.

I'm not great at interpreting the finer details of a battery charger, but it occurs to me that the battery may not be totally flat, otherwise I would have thought the needle would be at maximum........

Thanks for the info!

[amazon]

Latest in the puzzle.

Alarm has now been tested and all is well. It's winging it's way back to me at the moment.

Battery is out of the car and being charged, but switched it off and took it to be tested this afternoon - it's fine!

I have a couple more ideas that I've been given to try and I'm following the other thread re. battery losing charge too quickly, but I am a bit stuck.

Will post what happens when I put it all back together tomorrow.

[TimJM]

amazon said:

Have been leaving the car unlocked

And where do your park it?

Anyhow, back to more useful suggestions, when the car locked itself did the green button in the centre console flash any useful info? I remember reading somewhere what all those different flash patterns meant. Perhaps it could add some idea to what the car thought had happened.

[amazon]

TimJM said:

amazon said:

Have been leaving the car unlocked

And where do your park it?

Anyhow, back to more useful suggestions, when the car locked itself did the green button in the centre console flash any useful info? I remember reading somewhere what all those different flash patterns meant. Perhaps it could add some idea to what the car thought had happened.

I wasn't with the car or using it when it locked itself, but when I found it locked, there were no lights flashing at all. Although, when I was in the car and removing the alarm I heard a ticking noise, like the hazards had just come on or similar, but they hadn't. The red light near 'the key which must not be touched!' was flashing (wasn't previously). But that's it.

When I reconnect the alarm and battery today (if this rain will stop for a second!), I will note what the various lights are doing. You're right, it could be a clue - thanks!

[amazon]

Here's the update.

Alarm returned fully tested, from Carl, with new key fobs (much needed!). Refitted.
Reconnected my now fully charged battery, hey presto - the lights flash, the doors open etc.
Get in the car to start it, press the black button. Nothing.

Look around the car for ideas, spot the little silver key......

I've never touched the little silver key! But I turned it all the same and to my joy the car started! Bit embarrassing, suppose I should have checked that first.

I suppose I knocked the key the last time I drove it and the doors locked there and then, but I didn't notice until a week later when I went back to the car. Although the battery took a fair bit of charge, it definately had life in it before.

It is all a good job done, as I had only one, very dodgy, broken 'key'. Now I have two really excellent ones! No more arm waving! Even locked the car from inside the house yesterday! And yep, Carl Baker is a great guy!

Thanks for your ideas and help!


A.

[kevin63]

Nicky,
If you suspect that the battery could have been low and lost something somewhere it may be worth checking the voltage when the engine isn't on and then when the engine is running, it should be higher when the engine is running, if it is not putting out 13-14 volts when running the alternator could be suspect, could be worth a try before it goes dead all together.

[amazon]

kevin63 said:

Nicky,
If you suspect that the battery could have been low and lost something somewhere it may be worth checking the voltage when the engine isn't on and then when the engine is running, it should be higher when the engine is running, if it is not putting out 13-14 volts when running the alternator could be suspect, could be worth a try before it goes dead all together.

Thank you for that advice Kevin. I have actually just been given a battery which I am going to fit in a second - it should be in better shape than mine and it is the right size (which will save all manner of issues trying to get the cable re-attached etc.!).