Hi, first time poster here

In a nutshell - 2003 XK8 coupe, remote fob has stopped working. While I'm sorting it out I need to be able to lock the doors without activating the alarm, as a) I'm not agile enough to always get the key in the ignition in time, b) doing that will drop the steering wheel and I then can't get in, and c) 99% of the time I've got to put something into or take something out of the boot first before I get in.

Someone said to power-lock all the doors from inside and get out and lock the driver's door with the key - my car won't let me lock the doors from inside. I assume this is done by pushing on the front of the handle as per when the doors lock when it comes out of P (this works), but the handle won't move to manually lock them

Someone said to disconnect the security module in the boot - I don't want to do this as apparently it disables the central locking (?).


All I want to do is to be able to get out of the car and lock the door with the key without activating the alarm, is this possible? Thanks in advance.

 

No it's not. They're integrated.

Is it the fob battery ? Have you bent the metal connection in the fob ?

Re: steering wheel dropping. The memory function shouldn't operate until the door's closed. However, before getting out, once it's raised itself, turn the column adjust button to manual & it won't drop. Once in the car, turn the knob back to auto & press a memory button.

Best option is get a working fob & two working fobs is best.

EDIT:- Oh yeah. Welcome aboard.

 

I've tried a new battery, and bending the metal coneections out a bit, and doing the "five flashes" re-code procedure (it goes into "learning mode" with the red light on the gear lever surround) but the remote is dead. I'll probably try one of the reconditioning services on eBay next.

That's helpful, cheers, I'll give that a go.

 

If you have IDS/SDD you can change the security setting for the key barrel in Configurable Features. This should allow you to unlock the car/disarm the alarm, from the door lock without having to then immediately put the key in the ignition.

 

Unfortunately I don't, but thankyou for the info.

 

All you need is a Mongoose cable clone and a free download of the software (plus a Windows laptop). It's well worth it as it does everything a dealer used to be able to do, and is a cheaper alternative to the Foxwell etc type scanners.

 

Is that the same OBD - USB cable the Volvo VIDA/DICE system uses?

 

Have you cleaned the button contacts inside the remote - they get dirt in and stop working.

 

Yes, I've scraped some gunk off of the buttons but it didn't do any good, the buttons all still click but there's no life in it. The circuitboard looks OK to the naked eye, clean and dry etc but I know you can never tell.

 

You should see if an AUTO PARTS store has a remote FOB tester to see if it is transmitting.
I bought a cheap tester and it will receive 433, 315 and IR frequencies.
Try other buttons on the keyfob transmitter.
If I press a transmitter button and no signal, but the boot release or headlamp buttons work then I know the conductive material is worn away.

 

Hello,
A 2003 XK8 already has the newer remote control with a microswitch instead of carbon brushes. So I'm assuming that the remote control isn't registered. It's difficult to program the remote control without WDS or IDS. I also think that at least two remote controls need to be programmed!
I don't think I understand the problem yet. The alarm system can only be triggered when someone tries to open the car, not when it is locked. Is the problem with the key or with the remote control?
Best regards, Willi

 

There appear to be several (or numerous) improvements made on the 4.2 cars vs the 4.0 cars that are increasing the complexity tenfold. Certainly OK 20 years ago, but now some of these changes are coming home to roost as being increasingly difficult to maintain.

One that comes to mind is the immobilizer. Haven’t I read here that the immobilizer has been a problem in getting some peoples car to be able to be resurrected from the dead once it’s engaged ?

 

I'm pretty sure that the remote isn't working, that's not the issue as I intend to send it away for repair when I get the chance, I just would like to be able to lock the car with the key without setting the alarm in the meantime.

 

PS / welcome to the forum. This place is a lifesaver, most here are highly knowledgeable with these cars. Then there’s a very few, like me, who are just well meaning .

All in all, one of the best car forums, everyone has a helpful attitude.

Z

 

Hello Zephyr,
I assume that the alarm system goes off when you try to unlock the door with the key? So not when you lock it. I suspect (from a distance ) that the lock itself is the cause. We had the same issue here recently. It could be a stuck microswitch in the lock that activates the immobilizer when the doors are locked.
Best regards, Willi

Addendum: The immobilizer/alarm system cannot be deactivated. Immobilizers with alarm systems have been mandatory in vehicle manufacturing for many years. The only solution is to not lock the vehicle or to resolve the issue.

 

Hi and welcome to the forum, a wealth of knowledge here
Fellow UK member

I take it that the FOB is the correct part for the car and has worked OK in the past ?

If so, if you would be prepared to send your remote to me I can try it with my car and determine if the FOB is working or not ?

 

I don't know, I bought the car last week, the fob was on the key ring and the previous owner SAID that "it had just recently stopped working" which may well be a lie. I may take you up on your kind offer, let's see how things pan out next week.

 

Hello,
That's a shame. Perhaps it's because I'm working with a translator and therefore don't understand your text properly.
So I would ask you to clarify what you mean. Otherwise, it makes no sense for me to try to figure out the problem.
1. The remote control does not work. You only have one remote control and it does not work.
2. You can lock the car with the key. The central locking system works properly and no alarm goes off?
3. When you unlock the car with the key, the alarm system goes off unless you insert the key into the ignition within a few seconds?
Why do you need clear answers to these questions? The alarm system can be activated via the door lock using the key or the remote control. Similarly, the alarm system can be deactivated via the central locking system or the remote control.
Best regards, Willi

 

Hi,

All of your points are correct. I just want to know if I can lock the car with the key and for the alarm NOT to be set. I don't want or need the car to be alarmed as I only ever leave it in my garage or in a secure car park at work. It's more of an inconvenience to have to quickly put the key in the ignition to disarm the alarm every time I want to put something in the car or take it out or put something in the boot or take it out.

 

Quite possibly is the same thing - do you have one? As far as I know all the Mongoose clones look the same, so if it looks like one, it probably is.

Another thought - maybe one of our American friends on here can confirm that when they unlock the car with the key they don't need to insert the key in the ignition to stop the alarm sounding. As far as I know this is a US/European market difference, which is what you want to change in IDS/SDD.

By the way, apart from your fob not working, the alarm and locks are working as intended - ignore the white noise on the thread looking for faults that aren't there.