Puma Keyless Entry Problems

[Chenz]

In the past couple of weeks I am having trouble getting into my 2009 130 Puma.

Firstly you have to be right next to the door to get the unlock to activate.
Secondly, as soon as it unlocks it locks itself again before you get the chance to push the entry button on the door handle.
Thirdly and most annoying, today I jumped out while it was running and went to get back in and it had locked itself with the keys still in the ignition.

Luckily I was home and used the spare key to manually unlock it.
I have also noticed that I have to slam the drivers door to get it to close. This may also take a couple of attempts.

I am now looking at a hidey hole under the vehicle to put the spare key so I don't get locked out in the paddock or even further afield.

Any advice or assistance on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

[POD]

I'm not sure whether they are still using the same type of central-locking actuators as in earlier vehicles but I experienced the same symptoms many times when I was driving Range Rovers, the cause was stripped gears inside the actuators, they don't fully move the lock mechanism on the unlock stroke so it reverts back to the lock position.
A quick internet search brings up pictures of an actuator that looks a little different from the early ones, however if they are still actuated by an electric motor and a plastic gear train, this would be where I would start.

[alan48]

Hi,
probably a different issue but key fob issues are well documented--make sure you have a battery that is fresh-my dealer said they change them every 12 months --see the manual on exactly how to do this.they also suggested that the spare key fob be kept hidden somewhere outside the car but still accessible.

[tact]

I think the actuator not completing its stroke comment is a likely candidate. Mine did this a couple of times from new. I found the driver side rear door lock button was being fouled by the plastic clip in/out guide, or is it trim.

Once I repositioned it and made sure that locking button could do full travel unobstructed - problem solved.

I always take a spare key & fob whenever I travel in mine (because LR still have not been able to tell me my EKA). Hate to be locked out or immobilized when deep in the Malaysian jungles.