My Car dies twice at Jet garage - coincidence?

Curlytop_2

Am I just really really unlucky, or is there a reason why the immobiliser on my Renault Megane Scenic has twice turned itself on at my local Jet garage?

I leave the car (to pay), lock it, and when I get back to the car the remote key won't unlock the immobiliser. The first time it happened I dashed home and got the spare key, which did the trick. The second time (when I'm now using the spare cos the first one won't work) I was left stranded and had to leave the car at the garage overnight. Eventually the next day, after a mechanically minded friend had spent about an hour trying all kinds of tricks, I had to ring the local Renault dealer who talked me through a coded sequence to unlock the car so I could drive it to the garage for the keys to be realigned with the in-car system. It cost me £15 for the code, which the garage said I should keep to use in case it happens again. (I haven't risked the Jet garage since).
I have since been told by a friend that Jet garages have changed the frequency of the signals used between the pumps and the till, and it now is the same as my car system (and O2). He also said only certain models/years are affected. Does anyone know if this is true?

Bennifred

I think I remember reading about something very similar to this in a newspaper, ages ago (can't remember the details, sorry ) so no, I guess you're not alone!

Even stranger, this has happened to my car in a school carpark! I never did get to the bottom of it. It was a total pain, though, because the spare fob wouldn't work, either. In fact the remote function will only work on the alarm system now - the remote locking system seems to be totally stuffed!?

RightRevBod

My wife had a simlar problem in the car park at the local shopping centre. However, when I was with her, I managed to unlock the car with her spare key which I had on my key ring.

When she had the car serviced, they said the battery in her key needed to be replaced.

Could you problem be a simple as the battery getting low?

Bennifred

I did think of that, RightRevBod, but that wouldn't account for neither of the fobs working, would it? I might try a new battery all the same - it's got to be worth a go! Thanks for the suggestion!

Curlytop_2

Hi Bennifred. Do you also drive a Renault, cos I was told that O2 phones can also cause the same problem?

I did try changing the batteries when all this happened, but no use. It was defo something interfering with the remote signal.

Lady_S

This is a common problem with Meganes, itwill be that there is some kind of signal near to the petrol station which is on the same wavelength as the immobilizer.

Just need to get your petrol elsewhere.

Bennifred

Curlytop wrote:

Hi Bennifred. Do you also drive a Renault, cos I was told that O2 phones can also cause the same problem?

I did try changing the batteries when all this happened, but no use. It was defo something interfering with the remote signal.

Hi Curlytop! No, I don't drive a Renault - it's a Toyota. So did you manage to sort the problem at all? It's such a pain having to use the key in the driver's door and then unlock/lock all the passenger doors by hand......

br1anstorm

Bennifred wrote:

I think I remember reading about something very similar to this in a newspaper, ages ago (can't remember the details, sorry ) so no, I guess you're not alone!

This may be an old and familiar story by now... but I think the newspaper article was by Honest John in the Telegraph. The problem of radio transmissions on certain frequencies interfering with remote-locking and with ECUs (engine management systems) has cropped up at petrol stations and in some other areas (eg near E Midlands airport...!)

br1anstorm