central locking remote

[smokey]

Hi just wondering if anyone knows why I need to keep changing the battery on the centre locking remote nearly every month. Could there be something wrong with the PCB board inside the key? Or would a BSI reset clear the problem?
Car is a 1.6 2002 model

[GrandadMonkey]

Is it happening with both keys?

[smokey]

Unfortunately we bought the car second hand and it only had one key, does this make a difference?

[GrandadMonkey]

If it was happening with both keys then maybe it could be something to do with the car rather than the key.

However, I would suspect the key fob itself. I assume you are using quality batteries such as genuine Duracell CR2016. Make sure that you do not touch the battery with your fingers when fitting it. If the pcb or contacts look dirty you could try cleaning with contact cleaner to eliminate the chances of current drain. Does the fob casing itself look in good order or could it do with a new one?

[smokey]

Yes it has duracell batteries in it, I think I will try giving the whole thing a good clean, if not I've been looking on the normal places on the Internet for the PCB but can only find second hand ones. I assume as long as the code on the PCB is the same it will still work. But just need reprogramming to the car?

[gazza82]

Ah the key pcb lottery ... Good luck with that one.

[smokey]

Is just hit and miss then gazza82?

[Spitfire6]

HI,
Unless somebody says otherwise, the fob is just a transmitter and not a receiver, so the car has no influence over the battery.

If the above is correct then something is causing the battery to discharge.
Are the buttons being pushed?
I would take the PCB out and wash it in distilled water and the dry it completely on a radiator; this will remove and crap from it and not hurt it.

I suspect a button is being pushed without you knowledge as even if the PCB was full of crap, without moisture, its impossible for the fob to transmit. Of course metallic dust could do this and the clean as above would remove this.

To find out if it's transmitting you need a friend with a spectrum analyser or live near BB12 to use mine.

All what I have said depends if my first paragraph is correct.

Cheers,
Iain.

[smokey]

Hi Ian, I will give this a go first.

[leegsi]

I bought one of these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sealey-VS921- ... 1e852f92cd

[Spitfire6]

I bought one of these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sealey-VS921- ... 1e852f92cd

hi,
Nice device I did not know existed.
Much cheaper than an RF spectrum analyser.

Could keep it near the key-fob to see if it transmits when it shouldn't.

Cheers,
Iain.

[smokey]

Something must be draining the power as I've just gone to lock the car and the fob is not responding, I was wording if it could be the repair I've done as the micro switch went on it so I had to solder a new one on, but if this was not fitted right surley the car would just keep locking?