Recurring problem with remote locking.....

sidicks · Dec 14, 2007

Earlier this week, for the third time since I've owned the car (from new in March '06), I have come back to the car and been unable to unlock the car using the remote central locking - pressing the key fob has no effect, even though the red light on the fob does light up (i.e. it does not appear to be a battery problem).

Once previously I believe the garage reset and re-programmed the key/locking software, and once they indicated they'd had to replace the unit.

It's due to go back in on Wednesday next week to have this looked at again, and I will report back after I know what the result is.

Clearly the car is still driveable, I just have to manually unlock the car (just like the good old days!!). One thing that it would be helpful to know is how to ensure the alarm is disabled when unlocking the car in this way, as this morning after I got in and went to start the car up, the alarm went off. Given I leave the house soon after 5.30am each morning, I think my neighbours will soon run out of Christmas goodwill if I can't resolve this soon!

Anyone else had a similar issue?

The other irritating thing is that the garage can't provide a courtesy car until after Christmas, so it makes the arrangements for picking up and collecting the car slightly more inconvenient, although they will drop me off at the station etc.

Happy Christmas to all!

Sidicks

garyw · Dec 14, 2007

You don't live or leave the car near and transmitters do you ?
I have had the issue of the keyfob not working at a venue in Blackpool, its very close to the big transmitter tower by the football stadium, Always happens !!
I'm aware that other transmitters can cause the same problem and not just on Porsches.
Obviously scrub my suggestion if its happening in different places nowhere near transmitters.

I'd honestly call other dealers if they can't sort something out until after Christmas..!
One dealer once said 6 weeks to me!! another said tomorrow, I'll leave it to you on which one I used..[

]

garyw

sidicks · Dec 14, 2007

Thanks - the car is left at the local station every day, but this problem has happened previously at home (once) and at the station (once) so I don't think that the location has anything to do with the issue.

I'd rather not leave things until after Christmas, and the dealership is able to look at the car on Wednesday, but it just means i have to make some different arrangements to pick the car up etc as I won;t have a courtesy car - not really the end of the world.

Sidicks

CHewlett · Dec 14, 2007

Sound similar to what happened to me and I was advised by my OPC that after a few days inactivity the remote locking is disabled (to save battery) and to activate it again you have to use the key (manually unlock the car) and this would activate the remote locking function. I believe you might have to unset the alarm immediately after unlocking the door with the remote. Hope this helps.

Christopher

robert997 · Dec 14, 2007

Yes Sidicks I wonder if your battery is low, especially if only using the car for short commute to the station with the heater, lights, rear window on full each way. The cars do go to 'sleep mode' to save drain, as Chris says normally after 5 days or so, and when this happens you unlock the door manually with the key and THEN press the blipper in the key which turns'off the alarm - i.e. unlock, press, then open door. Alternatively open the door manually and shove the key straight into the ignition to turn-off the alarm ?

Mark_Bennett · Dec 14, 2007

ORIGINAL: CHewlett

Sound similar to what happened to me and I was advised by my OPC that after a few days inactivity the remote locking is disabled (to save battery) and to activate it again you have to use the key (manually unlock the car) and this would activate the remote locking function. I believe you might have to unset the alarm immediately after unlocking the door with the remote. Hope this helps.

Christopher

If it's the same as 996's, then you do this to stop the alarm going off:

Insert key in door.
Turn it so that the interior lights come on.
Keep the key in the door and press the unlock button.

The car is now unlocked and the alarm will not go off.

Edit:

Ooops - Robert beat me to it [

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sidicks · Dec 14, 2007

Well the problem occured on Monday, so I have been manually unlocking the car ever since as remote locking has not been 'reactivated'.

I can see what you are saying as driving home (just 7 miles, albeit 'enthusiastically driven'!) I have had the heater on full plus heated rear window etc, but in the mornings this hasn't been necessary, as the car is garaged overnight so is already clear when I get in.

There have been no other signs of the battery being low - i.e. when starting the car etc.

Sidicks

garyw · Dec 14, 2007

ORIGINAL: sidicks
I'd rather not leave things until after Christmas, and the dealership is able to look at the car on Wednesday, but it just means i have to make some different arrangements to pick the car up etc as I won;t have a courtesy car - not really the end of the world.

Sidicks

Another way and what I do is that most OPC have drivers that will collect and return your car to an address...
Their driver collects it from my home at 8am and returns it on their way home usually about 6pm..
Okay someone else will have been driving your car, but its their professional job and the majority have been ladies...[

]

If it suits your schedule, its an ideal way to get it to the dealership.

garyw

Popolou · Dec 14, 2007

Sidicks,

There is a TSB on this issue dated 9 October 2006. It's entitled "Vehicle key Remote Does Not Function" and outlines a procedure whereby you can re-sync the key with the PAS control unit in the car by performing whats known as the Handover Procedure.

To synchonise the system, you'll need to insert the key into the ignition and turn it on. Then, press down on the remote button until the flashing rate on the centre console button changes. You can then remove the key and test the remote function to see if its worked.

The OPC should have further info on this.

There is another issue where the remote button seems to work (hence the red light) but it's not activating the radio side of the electronics. An odd circunstance, i know but its been tested within the OPC network and necesitates a replacement.

Regards

Pop

sidicks · Dec 14, 2007

ORIGINAL: garyw
Another way and what I do is that most OPC have drivers that will collect and return your car to an address...
Their driver collects it from my home at 8am and returns it on their way home usually about 6pm..
Okay someone else will have been driving your car, but its their professional job and the majority have been ladies...[]

If it suits your schedule, its an ideal way to get it to the dealership.

garyw

Yes, they have offered this, but it doesn't help too much, as someone would need to be at home at those times when they pick-up and drop off the car.

I'd rather change my work plans and drop the car with them and collect it from them, thus minimising the opportunity to drive my pride and joy!
[

]
Sidicks

marcus a · Dec 16, 2007

I have similar problem with mine just over this last year or so. Been to two different OPC's on the matter and they just keep changing the battery in the fob at a cost of £9.90 a go. I have had three of these in the last 12 months! they have checked for damage to the fob but no problem there and the same thing happens with my spare key. I have also changed the main car battery too but still no improvement.
Trouble is some days the fob works well other days it takes many many presses to activate. Like with any of my niggles they never seem to resurface the moment you arrive at an OPC !! both dealers told me they have never seen this problem before.
The last OPC said that if the problem still persists they would replace the whole system and confirmed this is covered by the extended warranty.
p.s. I live about two miles from PNE's ground Gary, but that's a bit of a sore point from last week end.

sidicks · Dec 21, 2007

Well , just an update now i have the car back from the OPC. Firstly, I have to commend the chaps at Tonbridge OPC - everything was carried out very smoothly, and the car looked spotless when I picked it up, both inside and out.

I was told that no error codes could be found, that they had re-programmed the key and all was now working properly, and they showed me how to re-program the key myself, if the problem should re-occur.

They also indicated that if I wanted them to fit a new 'control unit' they would be happy to do so, and would need the car back in after Christmas to do this, and would also need my wife's key as well.

All-in-all everything seemed fine.......................

Then as I drove off, the petrol warning light came on which surprised me, as I knew i'd handed the car over with at least 60 miles on the DIS. I looked at the projected range and it said zero miles...I called the OPC who assured me that the car had only been driven the mile or so to be valeted and then returned. Hmm, I was less than happy, and informed them that if I broke down on the way to get petrol, I would be calling them to sort things out. I was firm, but polite, as they did seem genuine on the phone.

I managed to get to the petrol station OK, and proceeded to fill up the car, but it would only take 54 litres or so, when the tank capacity is 67, I think. Clearly, as they promised, the OPC had not been driving the car, and that it was simply the DIS giving a false reading.

By this time the OPC had closed, but I called them the follow morning to explain the situation. It seems that the 4-wheel-drive carts have an unusual shaped fuel tank, which incorporates a 10 litre reserve tank, and it would appear that ocassionally the float that measures the amount of fuel left in the tank can get 'stuck', which is what happened here.

This explains an issue I had a few months ago where I did a 'splash and dash' putting in just enough fuel to get me home (as I couldn't find a station with Shell V-power) but despite adding 10 litres or so, the range on the computer and the fuel gauge did not budge. I assumed a faulty pump but when I did find a Shell station and filled up, doing the sums showed that I clearly HAD added those 10 litres previously.

Once the car is re-fueled to the brim all is fine, as the float can release itself. I'm sure there is a more technical explanation for exactly what happens, but that works for me!! I've only had these 2 issues in almost 2 years of owning the car, but not sure whether this is an issue that has confused anyone else?

Anyway, thumbs up for Tonbridge OPC!

Sidicks

The c

Rodney Naghar · Dec 21, 2007

The science bit [

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I posted the explanation on this thread: http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=335942

'Your car has a 67l fuel tank. The problem, as with all 996/997 variants is that they have a horse-shoe shaped fuel tank.

Because of this, the car has to use 2 fuel measuring devices, one being the regular 'float' type (when the tank is around 1/4 full) and thereafter a digital device, which calculates fuel used in a real time way. From this point onwards, you should use the OBC 'Range' reading as it will be more accurate than the fuel guage.

In my experience, when the OBC says you're low on fuel, then switch to your OBC...I usually have about 18 miles left until that gets to '_ _' (ie 0) then I still have at least another 10 or so miles to go!

This is also why you get the common problem when putting a low amount of fuel when the tank is low, and nothing registering on the meter. You have to put in at least the 1/4 odd tank full so that the float registers that fuel has been put in.