VX Clubsport - Won't unlock.

[rooks]

Went to jump in my car last night for a quick run to the servo - and it won't unlock. No lights come on - everything dead. Boot won't unlock, and it won't even unlock using the key in the keyhole on the driver side (there's only 1).


So, WTF? How the hell do I get in my car?


I was thinking it's a flat battery, but the one I have in is less than a year old. Nothing was left on, as everything in the vehicle shuts down when you close the door and lock everything.

Of course this happens on a Saturday evening/Sunday morning, which means the local Holden Dealer Parts section (only a few blocks away) will be closed, so I can't try & get a new key.

Anyone got any advice, or can recommend a good Mobile Locksmith in the Blacktown area that works on a Sunday?

Cheers ...



Vehicle is a 2001 VX Clubsport - Series I - Auto. Doesn't have an alarm.

[Alister]

You should still be able to unlock the door, even if its deadlocked. Key in lock, turn to the right firmly, when it feels something is going to break, try opening the door and it should open. There were more specific instructions in a thread on here recently.

As for the problem, dodgy key? Have you tried your spare? My spare key which is one of the original keys from my car works better than a new one that Mr Minit created.

[rooks]

OK, door will open that way (thank you), but the vehicle won't stay running. Kicks over, but dies down immediately.

Any suggestions?

[XLR8 V8]

What Alister described should get you into the car.
The problem could be something as simple as the negative battery terminal losing a good connection with the earth lead. Had this happen in my work car late one night a few hours after picking the car up from a service. Found the service guys had put some type of yellow goop over both the battery terminals (corrosion inhibitor?) and it just lost a good connection. Got into the car using the same method Alister described, wiggled the battery terminal around and all the power came back on.

EDIT: Now reading that the car starts then stops, it sounds like the immobiliser is still active. Try pressing the unlock button with the key in the ignition

[rooks]

EDIT: Now reading that the car starts then stops, it sounds like the immobiliser is still active. Try pressing the unlock button with the key in the ignition

Doesn't work. Still no change ...

[Bazz]

Could be a dead battery in the key. Doesn't it need the battery power in the key to read the immobiliser code?

[rooks]

Went & grabbed the work ute, and headed to Penrith Mr Minit & got 2 new keys for it. Followed their instructions, and still nothing.



Anyone interested in buying a VX Clubby with hail damage* - cheap - let me know ... I don't use this car enough to waste this sort of time on it.


* The car is insured and got hammered by hail at the beggining of the year. NRMA Assesment centre said it's fixable but will take from 6-12 months to get fixed, because they are too busy. This was 6 months ago & I'm still waiting.

[jozzas]

Seconding the dead battery in the key. Are you sure Mr Minit coded your new keys correctly? I thought only Holden dealerships had the equipment to do that properly.

[NUTSvuS]

Even if your remote is flat it should start with the key anyway. Check battery is charged, connections are clean and secure. If no joy Try leaving the key in the on position for 45mins (from memory, states in the log book anyway) and the immobiliser should disarm.
If still no luck your BCM is probably cactus.

[tanka5.7]

the keys recharge on the metal strip around the keyhole dont they? sounds like its either not recognising the key or you have a bcm/immobiliser problem

[Alister]

the keys recharge on the metal strip around the keyhole dont they? sounds like its either not recognising the key or you have a bcm/immobiliser problem

The battery in the key isn't rechargeable. As you said, the metal ring contacts the key and links it to the PCM/BCM. The key or actual ring is dodgy if you start the car and it immediately turns itself off (that's the immobiliser not recognising the key). I replaced my VX ring with the newer VY/VZ design and that solved my shutdown problem.

[Party Pete]

Slightly off topic but this isn't a good advert for insuring with NRMA.

[rooks]

Slightly off topic but this isn't a good advert for insuring with NRMA.

Tell me about it.

I understand they were busy at the time I filed the claim - a lot of houses/cars/people got hammered by the storm - but 6-12 months is BS. When I initially rang them, they said someone would contact me within a week about booking a time at the assessment centre, as well as someone from O'Brien about replacing my windscreen. O'Brien had been and gone by the weeks over - definite professionals! 8 weeks later, I called NRMA back and they didn't understand why I hadn't been contacted for the assessment booking - seems they just forgot about me :confused:

They told me after it had been assessed that if I wanted it done any sooner, I would have to get it done outside of Sydney.

[rooks]

Had an Auto Electrician out to look at the Clubby yesterday. Spent three hours on it, and could only come to one conclusion - the BCM is rooted.


Anybody have any idea on what sort of $$$ replacing the BCM will set me back?

[rooks]

Just an update for reference, in case anyone goes through the same thing in the future.

Took it to Holden (Heartland - Blacktown), and they came to the conclusion that the BCM needed replacing. It wouldn't even communicate with their diagnostics tool. They had another VX on the lot, so they switched them over and the other VX with my BCM showed the same symptoms, whilst my car, with the new BCM worked a treat.


All up, it cost around $650. About $300 for the BCM + 2 new Keys, and around $350 for labour - it was in the shop 3 days.



*** As an aside, I definitely give Blacktown Heartland a big thumbs up for Customer Service. The guy I dealt with (Anthony) called me at least once every day to give me an update on what was happening. When the mechanic figured something out, he gave me a call - when the mechanic said it wouldn't be finished on that day, he gave me a call. Not once did I need to chase anything up.