Keyless entry intermittent fault but Renault deny any issue

cmhallsworth

I'll try and keep this short.

I have a 2013 Renault Megane Tourer with keyless entry. It's had an intermittent fault where when you walk away the car doesn't always lock. When the car locks it folds the mirrors in and flashes the indicators plus an audible clunk as the lock engages. Sometimes it does nothing and sometimes it folds the mirrors and flashes the lights but no 'clunk'. I've put the key in the house then come out and checked to find despite given the signs of having locked its still open. Doors are all firmly shut so that's not the issue. Sometimes it also won't unlock unless I use the button on the key rather than the sensor.

I've tried both key cards, had a card replaced under warranty and changed the batteries to no avail.

This has culminated in the car being 'broken into' but of course not actually broken into as it was unlocked. Hundreds of pounds worth of stuff taken including car seats.

Renault have checked it over and keep saying there's no fault, I must be doing something wrong including leaving the key in range of the car (I pointed out the key was in the house and the car on a different street from ours when broken into).

Anyone else have this issue or any idea what might be the problem as it's beyond the ability of Renault to fix and I'm pretty annoyed that I have paid for keyless entry only to find I need to use the key to reliably lock/unlock the car.

Thanks

facade

Welcome to Renault electrics.

If the key works- reliably, every time, then stick to using the key.

You could throw hundreds of pounds at it trying to sort out Renault wiring (all wires the same colour, and they snap for no reason), Renault switches (that don't) etc., and then you still can't be sure that it will work, every time.

Renaults are engineered to just last the warranty period.

Stoke

Unfortunately, while facade might sound like a bitter anti-Francois.... he's bang on the money. Peugeot's were always known to have bad electrics but have got their act together really, so have Citroen.

Renault lagg so so far behind in this regard. I remember the Megane with it's ingenious automatic fresh air conditioning, even when you weren't in the car..... and particularly when it rained. Wet seats.... lovely.

Strider590

There's the possibility of interference, if your a thief and you know there's an issue with interference in certain areas, then your quids in.

almillar

I've got keyless entry on a Renault, though a bit later. It works reliably for me, but I'll explain quirks that I've found just in case.
Leave the keys in your pocket. Walk up to car, press the little button on the handle, open door. Get back out of car, just close the door, walk away. Indicators flash, doors lock, and car 'chirps'. Perfect.
It might go wrong if I ever find myself actually using the unlock button on the key, then I'm not sure if it'll lock automatically when I walk away.
In any case, car manufacturers (yes, others too) won't be taking any blame if any of these 'convenience' features don't work - they'll put the responsibility squarely on you to ensure the car is locked, whether the system works perfectly or not.

Stoke

almillar wrote: »

I've got keyless entry on a Renault, though a bit later. It works reliably for me, but I'll explain quirks that I've found just in case.
Leave the keys in your pocket. Walk up to car, press the little button on the handle, open door. Get back out of car, just close the door, walk away. Indicators flash, doors lock, and car 'chirps'. Perfect.
It might go wrong if I ever find myself actually using the unlock button on the key, then I'm not sure if it'll lock automatically when I walk away.
In any case, car manufacturers (yes, others too) won't be taking any blame if any of these 'convenience' features don't work - they'll put the responsibility squarely on you to ensure the car is locked, whether the system works perfectly or not.

The one I'm interested in is keyless ignition. When that inevitably fails, who's fault is it?

cmhallsworth

They've had the car for two days (their third attempt) and still say there is no fault.

Worse than saying there's no fault. They're saying I'm doing something stupid like leaving the spare key in the car. Their customer service has been abysmal

Stoke

cmhallsworth wrote: »

They've had the car for two days (their third attempt) and still say there is no fault.

Worse than saying there's no fault. They're saying I'm doing something stupid like leaving the spare key in the car. Their customer service has been abysmal

That's just car manufacturers for you

almillar

The one I'm interested in is keyless ignition. When that inevitably fails, who's fault is it?

You mean the start button? There's still an immobiliser usually, which detects the keycard being in or near the car - it won't start without that. The electronics for this system are the same as when using a key, just with a bigger range I imagine.
Otherwise, the system is either the same, or LESS complicated, than turning a key in a barrel. When was the last time you tried to get a car key cut and coded?!

cmhallsworth, whether a fault is ever found or not, you alone are responsible for locking the car. You must look back, or listen out for the locking noise from your car, and if it doesn't happen, do it manually with the button. If it's too unreliable, just always use the button. They're making sensible, if patronising, suggestions.