Thread: Remote key not working

Was it working ok before with the 2016 and if so how long was this battery in it?

I too have an issue now and I hope there are some more answers.
First off I have always had to be next to my disco to remote unlock it. If left for weeks the remote will not work and I had to unlock it manually and got a horn toot.
I occasionally started to get a horn toot upon opening the door and once as the engine was starting, everything still worked ok.
Then the dreaded happened, the remote didnt open the doors and manually opening it sounded the alarm and I couldnt start the engine. I can only stop the alarm by manually locking the door. I had done nothing to the disco previously.

So after some research I decided to fix it. I charged the car battery but that was fine. I replace the fob battery but no change. Looked at the drivers door lock and the wiring was perfectly clean, got to the RF receiver and it wasnt earthed so I earthed it but still no change. Then I entered the alarm code via my key in the door lock with the 4 digit code. Success... but temporary, the remote didnt work but manual locking and unlocking worked and I could drive around atleast.

So ive done some more investigation to see what I could do. Options seem to be to replace the BCU, recode the key, or hook it up to a diagnostic tool and hope the BCU unlocks or some setting could be changed.
But then I wondered if it was just the remote key and if the red light flashes.

Ok so the red light didnt flash with a new battery but it did strobe when I took it out and put it back in so I tried the remote again but no luck. I had a brain wave and went to the disco and put the battery back in the remote, I did notice that the security light on my dash strobed at the exact same time as well. To me this means the disco can hear the remote. But still no remote unlocking. Now the alarm goes off again and im back to square one.
I re-entered the security code and all was well again, the disco started. But as I was sitting and pondering (engine not running) the disco super locked all doors and the alarm started again, I was locked inside (Help.. and sorry neighbours). I managed to find that the window would wind down so the key could lock it and turn the alarm off, then another time open the door to get out and lock again to keep things quite.

I have to start work tomorrow morning and Im not at home so I have to drive, fingers crossed the code unlock works enough to get me to work.

Sorry for the long story but I hope it answers some questions. Anyone else have any ideas? Oh I do have a nanocom coming in a week or 2 to test things out as well.

Hi, some questions
1. when you lock/unlock with the key does it activate all the doors or just the driver's door
2. the central door locking is working from the dash switch or not?
3. i'm still suspecting the receiver so after you remobilised it with EKA code start the engine turn ignition off get out and lock with fob, as you say it will not lock the door so after that open the door...if the alarm goes off it means the receiver gets the lock command but if it doesnt it means the receiver is dead... also if it gets the lock command it should get the unlock command too which must disable the immobiliser.


it depends very much on the alarm settings in the BCU, there are many options and it can behave differently according to the setup.


untill you get nanocom if the central door locking is working from the dash switch, leave the passenger's door open, lock with the switch, get out thruogh the passenger's door and shut it as it is...this way the doors will be closed but the alarm inactive so you should be able to start the engine if you unlock the driver's door with key cos only the passive immobiliser will work which must be disabled by the key in ignition(againd depends on alarm settings)


if you have a BCU issue the alarm/immobiliser's behaviour can be completely strange and unexpected but as long as you can remobilise it with EKA you have a chance to escape easyer and cheaper


good luck

Yeah I think the nanocom is my best bet atm.

Though it would be good to know if the central locking is working or not

When the key is used only the drivers door opens/closes.
The dash central locking for all doors worked ofter the code was entered.
As with the receiver, time will tell i guess.

It seems it's set on SPE(single point entry) then, unlock twice with the key next time and it should open all the doors on the second attempt then... if the setting was on ''always disarm with key'' it should have disabled the immobiliser without EKA now but probably it's on factory setting which is only for remote remobilisation.

Just an update, I used the code to open my door this morning as the remote didnt open it. Got to work and turned the disco off and locked it manually. Fingers crossed it unlocks manually ok. I did notice one thing, cruise control is not working so im not sure if the unlock code disables some systems of if I suddenly have another problem somewhere. BCU related?