VW Golf MK6 Central Locking not working using key fobs

invuk

My car's central locking works from the inside but when I try and use either of the two key fobs I have the car doesn't open or close, I get no response whatsover. The key fobs batteries are fine (lights coming on both), Any help would be much appreciated.

sheramber

When did the keys last work?

facade

The locking in my Citroen won't work when the 12V battery is nearly flat- try charging the 12V battery.

Also, on most cars there is a switch built into the ignition lock that detects that the key is in- so that buzzers can go off if you open the door and try to get out with the keys in.

If this switch is faulty due to wear on the ignition lock, then it thinks that the key is in all the time, and the central locking won't work from the remote, so you can't lock the key inside the car by accident. 

I would think the give away would be that the "key still in" buzzer works when you open the driver's door when it isn't.

(I've never tried, but I bet a keyless car does the same if it detects the key inside)

Mildly_Miffed

invuk said:

My car's central locking works from the inside but when I try and use either of the two key fobs I have the car doesn't open or close, I get no response whatsover. The key fobs batteries are fine (lights coming on both), Any help would be much appreciated.

Does it work if you turn the key blade in the physical door lock barrel...?

Have you tried the second fob remotely recently? Or is it a case of "Well, I'm sure it used to work ages ago" or even "I've never tried it since I bought the car"?

I once found out that the spare key I'd been given was actually for a completely different car... unfortunately, I found it out when the immobiliser transponder in the main key died. That was an EXPENSIVE lesson that involved trailering the car to the main dealer...

invuk

sheramber said:

When did the keys last work?

Probably about 2 weeks ago. I noticed it was open recently when I thought it was closed.

invuk

Mildly_Miffed said:

invuk said:

My car's central locking works from the inside but when I try and use either of the two key fobs I have the car doesn't open or close, I get no response whatsover. The key fobs batteries are fine (lights coming on both), Any help would be much appreciated.

Does it work if you turn the key blade in the physical door lock barrel...?

Have you tried the second fob remotely recently? Or is it a case of "Well, I'm sure it used to work ages ago" or even "I've never tried it since I bought the car"?

I once found out that the spare key I'd been given was actually for a completely different car... unfortunately, I found it out when the immobiliser transponder in the main key died. That was an EXPENSIVE lesson that involved trailering the car to the main dealer...

I have tried both keys remotely and the light on the keys clearly come on as the batteries were replaced not that long ago. I will try the key in the door later (tried yesterday but couldn't get the cover off).

facade

Having just had the same trouble locking the Suzuki, I am reminded that if there is a door or the boot not shut properly, the remote locking just doesn't work, no beeps, no locking and immediately unlocking like on my old car, just nothing happens.

Check that all the door switches work, and turn the interior light on & off properly.

invuk

facade said:

Having just had the same trouble locking the Suzuki, I am reminded that if there is a door or the boot not shut properly, the remote locking just doesn't work, no beeps, no locking and immediately unlocking like on my old car, just nothing happens.

Check that all the door switches work, and turn the interior light on & off properly.

Thanks for this, will give it a try later. Never thought of that!

sheramber

facade said:

The locking in my Citroen won't work when the 12V battery is nearly flat- try charging the 12V battery.

Also, on most cars there is a switch built into the ignition lock that detects that the key is in- so that buzzers can go off if you open the door and try to get out with the keys in.

If this switch is faulty due to wear on the ignition lock, then it thinks that the key is in all the time, and the central locking won't work from the remote, so you can't lock the key inside the car by accident. 

I would think the give away would be that the "key still in" buzzer works when you open the driver's door when it isn't.

(I've never tried, but I bet a keyless car does the same if it detects the key inside)

I have a keyless car.
 

To switch on I need to press a button.once to switch on ignition and with the clutch depressed to switch on engine. 

 To switch off I press that same button twice First to switch off engine and second to switch off ignition. 

 

If I open the drivers door with the engone on a buzzer sounds. 

If the engine is off but ignition still on then no sound but car won’t  lock. 

Mildly_Miffed

invuk said:

Mildly_Miffed said:

invuk said:

My car's central locking works from the inside but when I try and use either of the two key fobs I have the car doesn't open or close, I get no response whatsover. The key fobs batteries are fine (lights coming on both), Any help would be much appreciated.

Does it work if you turn the key blade in the physical door lock barrel...?

Have you tried the second fob remotely recently? Or is it a case of "Well, I'm sure it used to work ages ago" or even "I've never tried it since I bought the car"?

I once found out that the spare key I'd been given was actually for a completely different car... unfortunately, I found it out when the immobiliser transponder in the main key died. That was an EXPENSIVE lesson that involved trailering the car to the main dealer...

I have tried both keys remotely and the light on the keys clearly come on as the batteries were replaced not that long ago.

It's entirely possible that the batteries have enough oomph for the light, but not enough for the signal to be sent strongly enough over much distance.

I've just replaced the battery in our car's remote key - the button-press lock and unlock was still working at a reasonable distance, but the keyless unlock and start distance was noticeably reduced.

user1977

Some cars need the key to be re-synced with the car, you might want to check the owners' forums to see if there's a procedure to do that. I had it with a more recent Golf.