Can the key "blocks" be charged out of the vehicle?

[brita_bee]

Love reading all the FL2 topics. I've got a 2010 Td4_e. Bought it new and have been very satisfied with it. The handbrake is rubbish but that's another topic.

Last year I went OS and left the car unused for 6 weeks. When I got home the keys wouldn't unlock the doors and after some checking it seems that the key blocks had lost their charge. To make things worse, my carport is quite narrow so to get out of the car, I always park it hard up against the left side. So the only keyed door (passenger, front) was blocked and could only be slightly opened and not enough to get in to insert the key into its dash slot.

The dealer didn't want to know and suggested calling the NRMA, but I couldn't see how they could help. In the end, the NRMA guy opened the door as far as it would go and pulled on the top of the passenger window frame and I managed to scrape into the car. Lesson learnt: I'll park with more room on the passenger side next time.

My question is: can these keys be charged in some way when the car is idle for some time?

[mikehzz]

Try searching here


Freel2.com - View topic - Is there an aftermarket key fob recharger (http://www.freel2.com/forum/topic16405.html?highlight=charge+key+fob)

I couldn't make out what worked :D

[brita_bee]

Thanks for that. I do check that forum occasionally but I hadn't seen that post. Still no answer and I find it hard to believe that others haven't had the same problem.

I read somewhere that another FL2 owner resorted to moving the front of the vehicle sideways using a heavy-duty trolley jack. This gave enough room to open the passenger door using the physical key.

[Richard93Vogue]

It may not be your cup of tea, but I think what I would have done in your situation is put a new battery in the key block. It isn't 'easy', but it can be done, and yes I have done it. Took me about an hour and a half following the instructions on freel2.com . Split the fob with a sharp and sturdy knife, unsolder the battery and solder in a new one. (to put a long story short!) Cost me about $10 for the battery and some time.

It is something that all Freelander 2 owners will come up against eventually because that little battery, although rechargeable, WILL die.

Regards,
Richard.

[brita_bee]

Thanks Richard. I guess I'll work it out when I get back in October. I'm going to park differently this time so that I can easily get in through the passenger door and, fingers crossed, I hope it will come back to life. I expect the alarm will go off if I use the traditional key, but the neighbours will just have to cope!

As a backup, I might just change one of the key batteries.

Thanks again.