The remote lock/unlock function on my key suddenly stopped working. No previous problem. I put in a fresh battery and tried the spare key; neither solved the problem, so I'm assuming it's not the key itself. Looked through the owner's manual and did a search here, but didn't find anything on point. Am I missing something simple, or is it time to get to the dealer for some warranty work? It's a 2003 turbo.

Thanks in advance.

 

Has the car been sitting for a while? After five days, the keyless entry shuts down so as to not drain the battery. If that is the case, turn the key in the door lock and then press the remote button.

 

No, it worked in the morning, I drove it that day, and it wouldn't lock remotely when I parked for the night.

 

I have the same problem - it's the receiver in the car. Mine is being replace under warranty.

 

Those things are notoriously bad. One thing is have you had the TSB for range extension done? #7/04: 9662 To reset the key FOB put the battery in backwards for like 15 seconds and then put it in the correct way. Sometimes its just interference from some external source.

 

Thanks guys -- I need to take it in for scheduled maintenance soon, so I guess I'll let the dealer figure it out and fix it.

 

Interesting, I didnt know that. thanks for sharing that.

 

girth, when you do that (turn the key in the door) the alarm goes off when you open the door and then is turned off by pressing the switch. This happens to me all the time cause car sits for 3-4 weeks between track events.

 

if you have door plugs, it's a pain. i just leave the door unlocked since it's in the garage anyway.

 

I used to leave my car unlocked in the garage also - until 2 years ago when someone broke into my garage and stole my M5! I lock the cars in my garage now.

 

Tom, I think you actually have a little time (like 10-20 seconds) from the time you open the door and the alarm going off...so there is sufficient time to press the key fob and deactivate it.

 

Ok Statman since you are usually correct about everything I tried it again. And of course you are right......but what I was doing wrong (and thank you for making me realize it!), was after I opened the lock I would open the door and then the alarm would go off, duh! So after I unlock the car then it unarms like usual......thanks

 

Oh and another thing, I heard/thought that you should always lock the car when it is being left alone for a while because then more internal electrical gizmos (sorry for the technical lingo) actually shut off. If left unlocked some internal computers still stay in a ready mode and thus cause more of a drain?

And of course when the car is left for even days I always use the trickle charger