Key Fob battery

[Robmac]

As Baz said you will have to lubricate the locks, they have probably never been opened with the key

Yes I've given it a good squirt of WD Terry but nothing yet so I might have to wait a while whilst it soaks in?

When I turn the key it hits some resistance and then just goes slack so I guess something is sticking. I only have key access to the passenger and rear doors, I do find it a bit strange that the key will only go half way into the rear door slot though. I wonder if the rear door locks have been changed at some point, but if that was the case I suppose the central locking wouldn't have opened them.

 

[mry716]

Pressed the key fob and nothing, tried to turn the key in the passenger door lock and it seems to lose it's grip and just turn without actually unlocking the door. Tried it on the back door and the key will only go half way in. I can't believe that the battery is so flat that it won't even operate the locks so I am presuming it is the key fob.

Try opening the door with the handle whilst turning the key. Unsure why key will not go home on rear door but try a smear of Vaseline on both sides of the key and if it goes home again try opening whilst turning the key - dont force anything though !

 

[Robmac]

Try opening the door with the handle whilst turning the key. Unsure why key will not go home on rear door but try a smear of Vaseline on both sides of the key and if it goes home again try opening whilst turning the key - dont force anything though !

Instant success thank you so much.

Looks like the vehicle battery has absolutely given up the ghost, I will put it on charge now and see if the central locking will work later and then buy a new battery tomorrow. Thanks again, you've made my day!

Thanks all.

 

[wildebus]

I've just gone out to sort the van for the meet next week and Yikes! I can't get in.

Pressed the key fob and nothing, tried to turn the key in the passenger door lock and it seems to lose it's grip and just turn without actually unlocking the door. Tried it on the back door and the key will only go half way in. I can't believe that the battery is so flat that it won't even operate the locks so I am presuming it is the key fob.

So, I removed the battery and zipped out to get a replacement. Problem is, nobody seems to have the battery I want - a CR2016. I can get a CR032 which is slightly thicker, but I may be able to get it to work by loosely holding the fob together as I press the button, problem is I don't know if this may cause any damage?

I only have one key for the van so I don't want to risk wrecking it. I can get a CR2016 online easily enough, but I want to try and make sure this is actually the problem as the meet is next weekend.

Any comments gratefully received.

Good to see you are sorted

question - what van have you and how easy to get to fob battery? (I think I need a new one myself but not checked how to disassemble key to access)

 

[Robmac]

Good to see you are sorted

question - what van have you and how easy to get to fob battery? (I think I need a new one myself but not checked how to disassemble key to access)

My van is a 2012 Renault Master 2.3 DCI.

It was really easy on this fob. One small screw (which also holds the blade in place in case that ever needs to be removed. Then a flat screwdriver head to prise the case apart.

There will probably be a Youtube vid somewhere for your model - I found one for mine after a little searching.

At least now I have a spare, I have cut the area around the blister pack and popped it into my wallet so I will always have it with me if needed.

 

[wildebus]

I have a Ducato so will be different, but appreciate your time answering. I am sure others with a Master will find it directly useful.

(I think I need a new one as I need to get closer to the van than before for the remote unlock to work, so low battery seems logical)

 

[Nabsim]

Glad you are sorted Rob, I was going to say make sure it’s your van and your van key just in case you had a few extra sherbets last night

 

[mistericeman]

I have a Ducato so will be different, but appreciate your time answering. I am sure others with a Master will find it directly useful.

(I think I need a new one as I need to get closer to the van than before for the remote unlock to work, so low battery seems logical)

IF its a recent ducato.... Flip the key blade out and there's a little hatch secured with a small straight head...
It's behind that.

 

[harrow]

And the moral of this story is plenty of lubrication

 

[Robmac]

Tried with my son in laws battery charger but it won't do anything - showing a fault. My own smart charger has gone missing just when I need it! Also tried jump leads but only got as far as a click from the solenoid. It did however put enough in to test the central locking which is working just fine.

Anyhoo, I will buy a new a new battery tomorrow and all should be well.

Thanks again.

 

[mistericeman]

Tried with my son in laws battery charger but it won't do anything - showing a fault. My own smart charger has gone missing just when I need it! Also tried jump leads but only got as far as a click from the solenoid. It did however put enough in to test the central locking which is working just fine.

Anyhoo, I will buy a new a new battery tomorrow and all should be well.

Thanks again.

IF the battery is flat as...
A smart charger will often refuse to charge/show a fault...
IF you can stick the jump leads on (or just a plain/dumb charger)
It will often allow the smart charger to, start charging it after a few minutes of getting some charge into the battery....

That said IF the battery is more than a couple of years old it's likely to have been permanantly damaged to some extent by being heavily discharged.

 

[witzend]

probably is the van battery

 

[Robmac]

IF the battery is flat as...
A smart charger will often refuse to charge/show a fault...
IF you can stick the jump leads on (or just a plain/dumb charger)
It will often allow the smart charger to, start charging it after a few minutes of getting some charge into the battery....

That said IF the battery is more than a couple of years old it's likely to have been permanantly damaged to some extent by being heavily discharged.

Yes you are right.

I've had the van 5 years and it is 10 years old, could well still be the original battery! I think it's absolutely goosed, my solar charge controller diverts to the vehicle battery when the Leisures are charged to capacity and it is showing as doing so in which case I reckon it really shouldn't have gone flat in the 3 weeks since a long run. I think a new battery is long overdue!

 

[izwozral]

I have set up a crowd funding page to buy you a new battery Rob.






















Tight fisted git.

 

[wildebus]

IF its a recent ducato.... Flip the key blade out and there's a little hatch secured with a small straight head...
It's behind that.

View attachment 106687

Mine looks like that Many thanks.

You don't happen to know what battery is needed? (I know, I am being very lazy now!)

 

[molly 2]

Great you got Inn .alpha batters do a great delivery service

 

[caledonia]

Moral of the story is even though you have central locking always keep the locks lubed and make sure they work.

 

[trevskoda]

To much electrickery in modern veh these days, Mr Bean had it sorted.

 

[n brown]

when i drive my sprinter the key falls out of the ignition .am i normal ?

 

[GeoffL]

I'm not sure what van you have, but the flat battery smacks of a parasitic drain or something left on. FWIW, I've had the same from leaving my reversing camera on (one day, I'll get around to rewiring it so the power is removed when the ignition's off). If it is a parasitic drain, fitting a new battery without fixing the problem won't prevent it happening again, and it is possible for the old battery to still be viable. The linked YT is one of many on the subject but might help: