I'm new and in need of loads of help!!!!

[iball]

Hi everyone, I managed to pick up a mint MKIII Gti last weekend (needed a cheaper run around for a while) and have been loving it ever since I got it until now!

Went out this morning and it wouldn't unlock from the keyfob. It worked fine last night and has been working all week. I thought it was probably the battery in the fob but tried the spare one and nothing with that either. So I unlocked it with the key and discovered that the key doesn't switch the alarm off, tried the fob again, nothing and of course the car won't start either as I can't switch the immobiliser off. I'm in desperate need of some help as I can't get the car started or move it anywhere and haven't the foggiest what to do!

All help much appreciated!

Thanks

Iain

[iball]

I should add that it worked fine at about 10:30 last night when I locked it up and we've had a bit of snow over night, but not a lot and it's nowhere near as cold here as it has been the last couple of days.

Thanks again

[iball]

Can anyone help? I've spoken to VW, they were as much use as a Chocolate tea pot and the only two reputable mobile car alarm places in the area can't get out to look at it until the new year!

Cheers

[golfvr6]

If all else fails, get it cut out. RAC/AA would do that if your a member and have homestart.

[wolfrace]

Hi there,

This happens to mine too - but only in certain locations!

For example most of the time the car unlocks - but when I park it at the local swimming baths or the car park outside the bus station - the car sometimes wont unlock. It also happens at my local Esso garage - I asked if there was a mobile phone antenna nearby and sure enough there was. So like yourself I unlock the car with the key and the alarm kicks in and the immobiliser is still on and I cant turn the alarm off cos the keyfob dont work. Everyone looks at you like you are a criminal or something.

The problem I discovered is mobile phone antennas/masts - apparently they transmit frequencies that interfere with keyfob frequency that unlocks the car for you. Apparently its a common problem. The only solution is to get as close to your car as possible and then use it so that the mobile phone frequencies cant get a chance to interfere with your unlocking frequency. Apparently I was listening to the radio and the AA/RAC have been getting a lot of reports on this problem. Its not a faulty alarm in most cases just a mobile phone mast nearby interfering.

Check if there is a mobile phone mast near you transmitting frequencies? That will interfere with your fobkey. I was seconds away from replacing my immobilisor and alarm system before I found this out.  What I do is before I park in a place I'm not sure about I give it a quick test beforehand.  Sometimes just moving the car a few parking places along has doen the trick (as at the swimmimg baths).

Hope this helps... I could be completely wrong though? But it made sense to me as to why it should work perfectly ok in some places and not in others? And now I have no problems!

Best of luck!!!!

[wolfrace]

More info....

National Campaign for the Sensible Siting of Phone Masts:

Medical Devices Agency they have been found to interfere with medical equipment such as infusion pumps, cardiac monitors, ventilators insulin pumps, hearing aids, defibrillators and some pace makers!  This is a huge cause for concern.  In addition, it is known that the handsets and masts can affect car locking systems, immobilisers, burglar alarms and TVs and other sensitive electronic equipment.  This could have dire consequences for industry sited close to the masts, particularly those in the high technology industry, or offices and laboratories that use electronic equipment.  In addition to this the Tetra terminals may also interfere with the Police forces own electronic equipment such as breathalysers and speed cameras.

[iball]

Cheers guys for all your help, it's much appreciated. I popped home at lunch time and bought some new keyfob batteries to see if that was the problem and sure enough it was. Both fobs worked perfectly last weekend when I collected the car and one worked fine up until last night! How very strange that they should both die just like that. Anyway problem solved and it wasn't too expensive and didn't involve me taking the car apart in the freezing cold which I'm quite pleased about!!!

Thanks Again.

[Sooty and Sweep]

I've found that (if it's the separate fob type alarm) that the button can easily get pressed down in a pocket or handbag or the like. I found this out when I came back to my car in a car park and found to my horror that it was unlocked! Looking in my pocket, I saw that the fob was pressed up against some other keys and the light was merrily flashing away and probably had been all evening!

Also there is very little difference between working and not working batteries and there won't be a significant change in performance to alert you to the failing battery. I get mine changed every year with the two remotes 6 months apart so at least ONE of the fobs has a relatively new battery.

It's a bit anal I know but it's better than walking!

[adyh]

If you have the same alarm as me (the factory fitted upgrade ) then there should be a lock inside the glove compartment , you should also have a little round key .

This is the alarm cut off