Happy Saturday! I hope yours is going better than mine :-)

I keep my ‘00 XKR battery on trickle charge in the car (trunk closed with wires poking through), and usually drive it at least once a week, but over the holidays it’s been standing for about 4 weeks, (through some pretty heavy rain, in case that’s relevant).

I tried to open it yesterday, but the fob didn’t do anything. The battery charger says the battery is fully charged. I tried the key in the drivers door lock and in the trunk lid, but neither worked (both usually work, but now they’re completely dead).

Has anyone experienced this before? (I tried searching the forums, to no avail). Could it be moisture-related? Is there anything I can do to at least get into the car? (The hood/bonnet is closed, too).

thank you

 

Lube your drivers door lock with some powdered graphite. Place a dab on the tip of your key, insert it into the door lock, and twist. Repeat with another dab of powdered graphite. Do the same with your trunk lock....

 

@Jon89 - your solution worked! Took me several tries, but it finally came back to life, and now the fob works, too.

Thank you so much!

 

FWIW, the first time I tried the key in the door lock and in the trunk, both were very very stiff to turn. To the point I was fearful of snapping the key off.


That’s what happens when only the fob is used to lock - unlock. Those mechanical mechanisms need exercise or they will freeze up. ( I learned that on this forum).

Now I make sure to use the key in lock at least once daily. No more locks sticking.

Z

 

To be clear, though, the driver’s door lock turned fine - no stiffness - it just didn’t actually do anything :-)

Same as you, I make sure to use it from time to time, but I’m guessing the deluge over the last couple of weeks had been more than it could take.

I’m still a little confused why the fob wouldn’t work until I got the key working…

 

just a guess, but the resistance of the mechanical mechanism might have been too great for electrical signal to overcome.

There are things that defy understanding. I’m not going to share my personal list of them however.

Z

 

Things that defy understanding ..No 1 women.
Batteries I do understand.
When the battery is new all the active material is functioning. As it ages less and less functions. So if it says fully charged that can mean that the 50% still working is fully charged. You need a load test with one of the modern electronic testers to know if the capacity is high enough. ( or a good old fashioned hydrometer if you can get it in)
Forget all this crap about starters drawing 400A its nearer to 100A and the amount of capacity used in a start is below 0.5 AH so the 20A charge current from your alternator only takes a couple of minutes to re charge it .

 

The radio receiver for the key fobs goes to sleep after the car has been sitting for several weeks unused, at which point only a key will unlock and wake the car up. In other words this is normal behaviour, but the key itself not working isn't.

 

Ah - it all makes sense now- thanks!