keyfob

[straggler]

Hi,

The remote keyfob on my 96 406 has stopped working so I'm assuming the battery has gone. Can I just open up the fob and replace the battery or is there some added complication I haven't thought of?

Thanks.

[GingerMagic]

Hi, its an easy job. Just take the key off the keyring, prise the key open at the back of the black bit and it separates into top and bottom.

Simply replace the batteries and pop back together, job done.

There will be a code on the battery, use this to look for replacements as they all look the same but all slightly different.

Batteries are available from Amazon, eBay, Poundland etc so don't pay silly Halfrauds money..

[straggler]

Nice one, thanks. Thought it might be something easy but didn't want to rip the fob in half just in case it would knacker the immobiliser, or something.

Cheers.

[GingerMagic]

The only way you will do that is by disconnecting the battery too soon after using the doors / car / windows etc ( ECU needs time to wind down before disconnecting ), or if you loose the keys in the sea....

[lozz]

Avoid the pound land battery's.
They're a waste of time,
Your best off going into asda,s or Wilkinson's or the likes and buying propper varta ones,
These cheap imported shite batterys don't last, buy propper ones and theyl last a few years.

[deanthedude1977]

I lost my keys in the sea and all I had to do was good clean out and changed battery all was well...

[crackpotterpig]

get a floatation device fitted to your keys!!

[straggler]

I got some new batteries but it's still not working. The red light comes on when I blip the button but no lock action. Any ideas?

[rwb]

Could the key need re-synching? Instructions in your handbook IIRC -- something about putting the key in the ignition and holding a button with a trouser leg rolled up...

[straggler]

Don't remember seeing anything like that in the handbook but will have a shuftie.

[straggler]

Think my 406 is a different model to yours. Nothing in the handbook about resetting it.

Anyone else know how to help me avoid the hell of locking and unlocking the doors by putting the key into the lock and turning it?

[GingerMagic]

I'm not sure now if your key is the problem as your car starts fine so it must be coded already. Have you checked the drivers door central locking solenoid, or maybe the connection on the detector by the rear view mirror?
Does it work if you sit in the car and point the key at the sensor..?? How about if you manually lock the doors from the inside - do all doors lock, inc boot?

On our 306, if I replace the batteries, they only last 3 days before not working anymore - doesn't bother me as its my wifes car.. The central locking on this car failed when the wind caught the door and bent it back a tiny bit - it frayed a wire between the drivers door and the body, caused all sorts of gremlins....

[straggler]

Got it working! Held it very close to the receiver on the outside of the windscreen and the car unlocked. Now it works normally. Maybe holding it an inch from the receiver was what was needed to reset it after a long period out of use. Strange, eh?