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seanomakaveli
10-11-2011, 07:54 PM
Hello,

I hope it is okay to post here, I don't have anything special, VE SV6 and was pointed to this forum by a friend.

I am hoping someone can help out or give me some information as I have no idea what is causing the current issue I am having with my keys.

My issue is that both of my car keys at the moment do not unlock my car via the remote buttons. Using the key to manually unlock via the drivers side door gets me in, but of course this sets off the alarm which is pretty embarrasing.

If I get the batteries replaced in my keys (which i have done 4 or 5 times now) both keys will work again, one lasts for about 4 weeks then stops and the other works for maybe 2 weeks after I switch over to it and then stops.

I had holden look at it during my last service and they flashed the computer firmware and said the next thing would be to look at the BCM. I am not sure what exactly this controls or why it would cause the issue I am having but I thought the first thing would be to replace the keys ?

Any pointers would be appreciated as I'd like to get some advise before getting my wallet taken by holden.
steve_t
10-11-2011, 08:11 PM
Yeah, if replacing the batteries makes it work again for a while, I'd think the keys would be the culprit with excessive battery drain. When your key stops working, can you take the battery out and put a multimeter on it? I wonder if it'd be completely flat
seanomakaveli
10-11-2011, 08:22 PM
Yeah, if replacing the batteries makes it work again for a while, I'd think the keys would be the culprit with excessive battery drain. When your key stops working, can you take the battery out and put a multimeter on it? I wonder if it'd be completely flat

I can't get the keys open as I don't have anything laying around that fits in that little hole on the key. I did get someone to check one of the batteries for me, and he said that it was only just under fully charged. The weird thing with that was that after he put the key back together the key worked again for another week or so. Possible issue with contacts in the key?
Troutman
10-11-2011, 09:15 PM
Maybe there was a bad batch of keys, which would explain why both are playing up.

You can get replacements fairly cheaply on eBay, can't hurt to give it a go...
Raptor6L
10-11-2011, 09:21 PM
I'd be opening the key back up again and having a good look and a bit of a fiddle with the contacts for the battery before i did anything else.
Maybe it's a fix, maybe it isn't.....but it is free.

Chris
VH-COM
10-11-2011, 10:00 PM
The weird thing with that was that after he put the key back together the key worked again for another week or so. Possible issue with contacts in the key?

Sounds the same as computer batteries .....they seem to recover the ability (at least for a little while) to hold load voltage after a "rest" - even a minute or so removed from the faulty device with way higher than normal discharge rate is enough to see a temporary recovery.
HZforMe
11-11-2011, 10:19 AM
I don't know if this is the same as i have a VZ but it also worked on Vectra's. This isn't a fix but it may help lengthen things.
When the battery gets a bit flat I assume it losses the required code. To recode it put it in the ignition and turn it on (ACC may work) then press the lock then unlock button (while in & on). This should lock then unlock the car and then the key will work again after you take it out.

As i say not sure on the VE but this is what i do on my VZ.

Hope it helps and/or works.
Troutman
11-11-2011, 09:10 PM
The VR-VZ key trickle charged the key battery when in the ignition. I don't think the VE has that feature.
ryno
11-11-2011, 10:33 PM
I don't think they trickle charged it, it was a contact for the immobilisor.

My VE is over 4 years old used daily and my key battery is fine. I'd check the contacts then if that fails buy 1 new key to see if it changes things. If the new key works than problem solved.