Vigo Autolock Problem

[evadgib]

This one's a funny old game; I'll use bullet points to keep it short:

- For a full 30 seconds this afternoon my car failed to respond when I, followed by wife, pressed the lock/unlock buttons on our key fobs.

- When it did finally respond it reacted to both keys simultaneously as we were both pressing at the same time.

- I opened the car by placing the key in the lock in the old fashioned manner which worked as intended.

- On reaching home I conducted a complete 360 test using both keys & found everything to be normal.

- All batteries are believed to be functioning normally.

This has never happened before therefore the only logical cause I can think of is that someone had an inhibitor nearby (there was a bloke sitting near the car when we returned to it although this may be pure coincidence).

Has anyone else experienced same?

The car is 9 years old and due for a service. The above happened in my local tesco car park; a place I visit several times per week.

Thanks all:)

[harrry]

Are your batteries new? I would change them if they are not. Were you parked next to a large electric motor ( airconditioner, lift.)

[John 1]

Do you have another aftermarket alarm system also installed which you use same key fob to press to unlock the car.

[Ace of Pop]

Be Carefull, there are blockers about.. Sneaky little buggers.

[MadMac]

Be Carefull, there are blockers about.. Sneaky little buggers.

May well be possible. Easy to jam the keys. Just try it somewhere else if all works. And keep an eye on the locks always.

[harrry]

Another forum says that after about 8 years the relays on the circuit board give problems and the main unit may need replacing.

[evadgib]

Are your batteries new? I would change them if they are not. Were you parked next to a large electric motor ( airconditioner, lift.)

New-ish & unlikely to fail at the same time.

I was parked in a place used several times per week throughout the life of the car.

[evadgib]

Do you have another aftermarket alarm system also installed which you use same key fob to press to unlock the car.

No

[evadgib]

Be Carefull, there are blockers about.. Sneaky little buggers.

Care to elaborate or post a link/example? I gather theft is the goal but I doubt if my car was the intended target.

[evadgib]

Thanks for your replies:)

[Farma]

The blocker story appeared in the news not so long back. Apparently thieves were hanging around carparks with these blockers. It was said that the blockers when used 10 or so metres near the car emit a stronger signal than the car fob. The car fails to recieve the lock signal allowing the thieves to steal the still unlocked car.

[PeterSmiles]

Were there high voltage lines present where the car was parked, as they can completely block the signal.

[MadMac]

Were there high voltage lines present where the car was parked, as they can completely block the signal.

That's BS. The keys operate in the 4xxMHz spectrum. Powerlines run at 50 Hz. But a strong signal in the keys spectrum can jam the receiver in the car, thus the car will not lock. So always check that that it makes the usual lock indications, blinkers, beeps, before you leave.

[PeterSmiles]

Were there high voltage lines present where the car was parked, as they can completely block the signal.

That's BS. The keys operate in the 4xxMHz spectrum. Powerlines run at 50 Hz. But a strong signal in the keys spectrum can jam the receiver in the car, thus the car will not lock. So always check that that it makes the usual lock indications, blinkers, beeps, before you leave.

Bullshit ?

When i park at Foodland Pattaya near the transformer which sits half way the parking lot, I have problems closing my car with the remote.

When I park at Universe Gym which has a huge transformer and many high voltage lines, it is almost impossible to close my car, unless I hold the remote only a few centimeters from the front of the car.

When I park on second road in front of the Made in Thailand venue, which has also many high voltage lines and a transformer, I have similar issues.

Since this is going on for as long as I have a car, which is about 15 years, you suggest that at all those locations a jammer is sitting hidden for the past 15 years ?

At all other locations my remote works at a distance of at least 20 -30 meter.

[PeterSmiles]

Were there high voltage lines present where the car was parked, as they can completely block the signal.

That's BS. The keys operate in the 4xxMHz spectrum. Powerlines run at 50 Hz. But a strong signal in the keys spectrum can jam the receiver in the car, thus the car will not lock. So always check that that it makes the usual lock indications, blinkers, beeps, before you leave.

How about this regarding ridiculing my comments /

Power-line noise can interfere with radio communications and broadcasting. Essentially, the power-lines or associated hardware improperly generate unwanted radio signals that override or compete with desired radio signals. Power-line noise can impact radio and television reception -- including cable TV head-end pick-up and Internet service. Disruption of radio communications, such as amateur radio, can also occur. Loss of critical communications, such as police, fire, military and other similar users of the radio spectrum can result in even more serious consequences.

http://www.arrl.org/power-line-noise

[MYKTHEMIN]

High voltage overhead lines and telecommunication masts can all affect these remote locking fobs. FACT.

[Ace of Pop]

Lifes a Bitch , Swampy Airport sets of my Radar Speed thing. How do we cope these Days.

[MadMac]

I guess it's a problem of proper shielding of your car's electronics. 50Hz power lines usually don't cause such effects, but I have no idea what sh*t they may have running here in TH.

[holeyman1]

check the condition of the fuse...!

[JAS21]

The blocker story appeared in the news not so long back. Apparently thieves were hanging around carparks with these blockers. It was said that the blockers when used 10 or so metres near the car emit a stronger signal than the car fob. The car fails to recieve the lock signal allowing the thieves to steal the still unlocked car.

Yes, our Isuzu dealer told us that many are now fitting a device that closes the wing mirrors when you operate the remote door lock. That way you can tell if the doors have actually locked apparently.

As an aside my V-Cross sometimes fails to lock 1st,2nd or even 3rd time I try. This only happens from the offside. I took it to the dealers and of course it worked okay every time. He suggested videoing my locking attempt as the fault is intermittent. I have a video of it failing to lock so will take it back soon and assume that they will change some sensor or other part.

[evadgib]

Meanwhile mine has operated normally since the prob highlighted in the OP.

[bobo42]

Yes, has happened to me in Thailand before. It was probably somebody nearby running an RF interference device, waiting for somebody to miss the fact that their car didn't lock. I doubt it was targeted to you specifically, they're probably just waiting for the right car to come along that they know how to steal. Or it could be just random interference. In my case, our local Tesco had 2 cars stolen from the lot right around the time this happened to me (same lot), so I did suspect intentional interference. I am always careful to listen for my car locks to click shut before I walk away, just old habit.