Key issue

Worcester_spoon

Senior member
 Basingstoke, Hampshire
So, my key has randomly stopped working. I would say it's a battery issue, but thought they were rechargeable?!?

Any ideas?
 
ive heard they recharge when in ignition. so if you leave a spare key for ages i can understand if it stops working, not 1 in use everyday tho? :/
 
If they're a battery not a capacitor then the battery will need replacing at some point when it stops holding charge at all.
 
It is a rechargeable battery that charges wirelessly in the ignition. The keys from my 03 car still work just fine after 12 years so battery replacement is a last resort. Have you tried recoding the key to the car?
 
I recently had issues with my key working intermittently. The car has not been used regularly. I had a quick look on Youtube and found a couple of people had charged their key using a toothbrush charger. I gave it a go and hey presto the issue was solved. I also charged the spare key.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNny3tZwk-k

Might be worth a go before trying other solutions
 
Rechargeable, but they eventually fail. On an '03 that's a 13 year old battery.
Do the usual of swapping keys to make sure the spare works perfectly and that your 'faulty' key has been used on a long run.

Easy enough to order a new battery. Cut the key open and solder one in if you prove it to be the key.

If that fails likely to be one of the micro switches or other internals, so time for a new key or a bit of component switching from a scrap eBay key.
 
i dont use the car regularly enough to keep the keys charged up so if these pads worked it would be piece of mind just to charge every couple of weeks

i suppose its just like sticking my ctek on the car whilst in storage
 
Taz said:
i dont use the car regularly enough to keep the keys charged up so if these pads worked it would be piece of mind just to charge every couple of weeks

i suppose its just like sticking my ctek on the car whilst in storage

Not sure it's necessary. The charge lasts for months and even if it's flat just open the door manually, alarm may go off, key in ignition start and drive off..
 
cj10jeeper said:
Taz said:
i dont use the car regularly enough to keep the keys charged up so if these pads worked it would be piece of mind just to charge every couple of weeks

i suppose its just like sticking my ctek on the car whilst in storage

Not sure it's necessary. The charge lasts for months and even if it's flat just open the door manually, alarm may go off, key in ignition start and drive off..

1 of my keys unlocked the car but would not lock it, i've had a drive this afternoon and it seems ok but i just don't feel its had a proper charge
 
Old thread revival!

For closure, took key apart and found a faulty connection. Resoldered and all good now.

Stu
 
Worcester_spoon said:
Old thread revival!

For closure, took key apart and found a faulty connection. Resoldered and all good now.

Stu

Hadn't noticed the date jump.
Good reference thread on key problems and thread now moved to alternative charging methods
 
Worcester_spoon said:
Old thread revival!

For closure, took key apart and found a faulty connection. Resoldered and all good now.

Stu

i knew it was an old thread, i just did't want to start another :rofl:
 
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