Key fob not working at home

[DerekJ]

Hi All,

 

My TinTop key fobs have stopped working when I get home.  

 

They BOTH fobs work fine in other places just not here. Batteries have been changed for new ones in both fobs. I Googled the problem and it looks like there is some radio interference from somewhere but where do I start looking???

 

 Anyone seen this before and solved it?

 

Cheers All

DerekJ

 

[dombanks]

Look for a local scally.... I saw a tv program where an "ex" crim showed how he stole stuff from cars using a little gizmo that jammed the fob. Basically he relied on the fact that people just walk away amd blip the fob without checking its actually locked the car. So he stood nearby jammed the signal and then jumps in the car and nicks your stuff.

[Captain Colonial]

Can also be caused strong local transmitters such as emergency services.  Been locked out of my car that way.  Try blipping it with the fob right up against the windows and mirrors while your other hand is touching the car, or put the fob against your temple and press while touching the car as well.

[Quinten]

Funnily enough, my wife recently called me whilst she was out shopping to say that she was unable to lock the car using the key fob.  Damn Citroen I thought, here we go...  Told her to move the car somewhere else in the car park and sure enough, later she called to say it worked again.  Upon coming home I went through the manual and it actually says that the car will stop listening to signals if it receives another signal from a different transmitter (within same frequency I would imagine).  So your key fobs may be fine, but your environment may no longer be...

[pistonbroke]

 

 

Try blipping it with the fob right up against the windows and mirrors while your other hand is touching the car, or put the fob against your temple and press while touching the car as well.

Hmmmm ! and simultaniously stuffing a ferret inside your shirt whilst blowing down the exhaust pipe no doubt 

[pickmaster Andy Lowe]

[Lyonspride]

First thing is wireless burglar alarms (or similar) that don't conform to British standards, cheaply imported from China, they operate on the same frequency as car remotes.

 

Second thing is the relatively new emergency services digital radio system (in certain areas), which whilst not on the same frequency, is so close and so powerful that it can mess you about if you park near a transmitter (like the one on a roof in Stafford town centre).

 

Lastly, you have ham radio enthusiasts who go a bit mental with their equipment to the point where it trashes every wireless device within a 1 mile radius. These can and do run on the same frequency band as car remotes (433mhz).

 

In fact it's a very crowded frequency range.

 

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-15278838

[DerekJ]

Can also be caused strong local transmitters such as emergency services.  Been locked out of my car that way.  Try blipping it with the fob right up against the windows and mirrors while your other hand is touching the car, or put the fob against your temple and press while touching the car as well.

 

I heard that getting you female partner (AKA Wife, Next Door's Wife etc...) to hold the fob between naked breasts while pressing the button can cause some things to start working. However, while it may not unlock the car, it's far more entertaining than making yourself look like a complete T.I.T* 

 

Started to look at radio devices in the house and once I turned off the TV remote transmitter / receiver the Fob's been fine. Strange, as the TV remote has worked for years without this problem.

 

Cheers

DerekJ

 

 

* T.I.T. = Totally Inept Twonk

[IanD]

I had a strange issue with a Saab I had a few years ago

When ever I visited the inlaws they would always answer the door before I even got to the door.

I asked one day how they knew I was there. They said you rang the bell!

 

Turned out that when ever I locked my car with the fob it rang their wireless door bell. .

 

Any way just a though for something else that may interfere with the fob.

 

Ian

[Nemesis]

My Vauxhall doesn't like BMW alarm/locking signals, they seem to mimmick some sort of hack attack and end up putting my system into a passive mode, manual unlock and alarm noised until I put the key in the ignition.

 

Such fun!! 

[Man On The Clapham Omnibus]

I have a Friedland video doorbell with a built in wireless camera. That kills my wifi when it's operating! Ain't technology wonderful!

[D7PNY]

We had this problem at the last house when a couple of neighbours installed cat repellent sensors in their gardens to get rid of a rogue sh#tter.

Was only intermittent (ie.if the cat had set off the sensor we couldn't lock/unlock the wife's car.

Cheers,

Dave

[s2rrr]

One of my garage door remotes used to set the car alarm off. Modern technology.

 

Bob

[Mooch]

I have a Friedland video doorbell with a built in wireless camera. That kills my wifi when it's operating! Ain't technology wonderful!

Had the same thing with a running machine...when that was on, our wi-fi died.  The solution was easy - BT sell a simple filter for a couple of quid that replaces the  cover your main BT phone socket.  Can be ordered through the BT website and solved the problem instantly.