Key fobs don't work properly on a 2006 Bentley Continental Flying Spur
 

I just bought a 2006 Bentley Continental Flying Spur 3 days ago and I'm having issues with the key fobs.
The fobs won't open the doors nor unlock the trunk. However, once I start the car with one of the fobs, then after cutting it off, the fob will lock or unlock the doors and release the trunk for about 5 minutes at the most. Then, it won't unlock the doors nor the trunk again.
Also, according to the manual, with the fob, I should be able to lift the door handle and unlock and enter the car. That won't work.
It should also be noted that with the car off, the door lock / unlock button and trunk release button inside the car doesn't work. However, with the car running, the inside door lock / unlock button and trunk release button will work.
I haven't changed the key fob batteries yet, but the previous owners were having the same issues.
Any ideas?

Change your car battery and you will be fine

As BentleyF said, you probably need at least a new 'house' battery but unless you know the starter battery is less than 3 years old I'd change both. Bentleys get real real finicky with low batteries and it's a good idea to use a trickle charger anytime the car will be sitting for more than a few days.

The main battery was changed in August 2023.
The small battery was changed on 12/15/2023.
Do the key fobs or the car itself need to be reprogrammed when changing the battery? They were not replaced by a dealer, so I don't know if the technician fully knows the proper procedure when a battery is changed.
I have a 2015 Jaguar XJL and things didn't properly work until the dealer programmed the car to the new battery.

Still sounds like a low power issue. Even though the batteries are new, make sure they're fully charged and test again. Even parked for a week they can get low. Also, just to eliminate it as a possible cause, try new batteries in the fobs.

Hello @desiled ,
Welcome to 6speedonline !

As @BentleyF and @BruceR have stated, I would be checking out your house battery, left side facing the trunk.

Being that you have only had the vehicle since December 20th, do you know for a fact that the house battery was changed in August of this year, did you verify the date on said battery ?

Have you had the vehicle on a battery tender ?

I suggest that you have the battery removed from the vehicle, and have a load test performed on said battery, as your issues as stated by others, is a sign of a bad / low / dead house battery, most of us have been there, your FS is likely starting using the automatic emergency start procedure, where it uses the parallel solenoid switch to tie both the house battery and the starter battery in parallel to allow power to the main systems of the vehicle, then when you shut it down, the house battery is still too low in power, which brings the question, how long have you driven it between starting of the engine ?

One thing to note, I have realized that the 2005 and earlier GT'S needed one to insert the key-blade into the ignition switch and turn left to engage the emergency start procedure, BUT, in my GT rebuild, where I used a late 2006 GT wiring harness and certain modules, I noticed that I do not have to turn the key to the left, it automatically engages the parallel solenoid if either battery is below proper level of charge, I can actually hear it clunk before starting the engine, but I can also engage it manually if I wanted to.

Johnny

Thanks for all the good replies. By the way, nice looking vehicles for those who included pictures.
After further evaluations, I am beginning to believe the battery that was changed back in August was the starter battery. I have the service ticket and the group admits some confusion because the same part number was used for the battery install in both August and December. Plus based on the price, it appears they changed the starter battery both times. The main battery should cost more than $230 (they charged $230 for the battery in August and $205 for the battery in December).
I will have that group order a main battery for me and then see what issues clear up as a result of the install.
I'll be back in a couple of weeks with an update. Thanks everyone. Excellent forum.

Hello @desiled ,
What was the part number of the battery replaced ?

Believe it or not, the house battery (H8) and the starter battery (H5) are the same price between each other at both AutoZone and Advance Auto Parts, I used the DieHard Platinum's from Advance.

Johnny
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Thanks for the info.
The August part number was Interstate MTX 47-H5
The December part number was Interstate Mt 47/H5
Both of those will be the starter battery numbers, not the main battery number, correct?

Correct. The house battery is the H8. There should be a date on the battery you have.

@desiled ,
Correct, those are both the starter battery (H5).
Check the date sticker on your house battery, just for curiosity.

Johnny

​​​​​​@BruceR ,
Sorry, I didn't see that you had responded.

Johnny

Got a new H8 Platinum battery at Wal-Mart. With another person's employee discount, only paid $188 with 4-year free replacement.
I watched YouTube videos, and it took about 3 hours, but everything is working now.
Thanks for all the wonderful info. Great forum.

Glad you got it sorted! Happy New Year!

@desiled ,
Is the cruise control working properly now ?

Johnny