Key remote stopped working

Saabfan · 09 March 2014, 01:52:05 PM

My remote key fobs have suddenly stopped working. No warning or alerts in the SID? Central locking works fine with key, so got home OK, but now tried replacing the batter and tried the spare but still no luck. I've also tried the 'sync-ing' routine of pressing the unlock button 4/5 times too

Any suggestions on what I should try next? Thanks

sgould · 09 March 2014, 02:16:50 PM

Does the car start and run OK? If so I would be looking at the remote receiver box at the back end of the centre console. It's a different part from the immobiliser aerial which is around the ignition switch.

sgould · 09 March 2014, 02:29:48 PM

Also check fuse No.10 in the end of the dashboard. Don't forget that the fuse numbers in RHD cars count from right to left. No. 10 is the 5th from the right in the second row.

Fuse 10 also feeds the sunroof and the heated rear seats if you have them.

sgould · 09 March 2014, 02:36:06 PM

If you need to get to the remote control unit and antenna. Open the centre cubby lid. Lever the centre of the rear panel of the centre console up and over the edge.

Saabfan · 09 March 2014, 03:11:56 PM

Thanks for quick response sgould. Tried the fuse - on my Yr2000 9-5 estate, it seems to be fuse 11 (according to the diagram inside the fuse cover) - 10 is empty! Tried changing the 30A fuse in 11, but still no joy. Found the remote receiver though so now looking to see where to find a replacement!

Saabfan · 09 March 2014, 03:47:19 PM

OK, part found and ordered. Will the new receiver work straight away or do I have to 'sync it with my key(S)?

sgould · 09 March 2014, 05:12:56 PM

OK....

I didn't see the year of your car at first.

The 2000 9-5 uses fuse 11 for the central locking relay, but the antenna is powered separately. Fuse 10 is the antenna in the 2002 car or later. In your car it is Fuse 9. It's very confusing...

Fuse 9 also powers the red light on top of the dashboard and the CD changer in the boot.

Check fuse 9. There was a problem with this circuit on the early cars. If your car has the CD changer lead to the rear left hand side, it was left low on the boot floor and frequently got wet and caused electrical problems, including I-Bus errors. Later cars had the lead tied up behind the rear seat on top of the wheel arch.

Saabfan · 09 March 2014, 05:43:22 PM

She's it getting quite old now

I've just tried fuse 9 but still no joy unfortunately so I'll try the new receiver when it comes and keep my fingers crossed. Thanks again for your help and advice.

nine-fiver · 10 March 2014, 08:27:10 AM

Just a thought, have you considered resetting the car itself, by disconnecting the battery for a decent period of time. This can fix quite a few things. Doesn't cost anything to do either.

Saabfan · 12 March 2014, 08:11:41 PM

I've just installed a replacement receiver but still no joy unfortunately. I'll try disconnecting the batter for a while (thanks nine-fiver) and see if that helps. Otherwise, anyone have any other suggestions for next thing to try?

Saabfan · 16 March 2014, 02:13:03 PM

Key fob still not working

To recap I've tried the spare key, changed the key fob battery, checked the fuse, replaced the receiver unit and re-set the electrics by disconnecting the battery for a while. Not sure what to try next...could the alarm system have given up and that's effecting it? Any suggestions for next step very welcome.∏

sgould · 16 March 2014, 04:31:28 PM

It could be a fault in the TWICE unit itself. But have you fitted the new receiver correctly?

mikeloadsasaabs · 16 March 2014, 05:40:53 PM

Quote from: Saabfan on 16 March 2014, 02:13:03 PM
Key fob still not working To recap I've tried the spare key, changed the key fob battery, checked the fuse, replaced the receiver unit and re-set the electrics by disconnecting the battery for a while. Not sure what to try next...could the alarm system have given up and that's effecting it? Any suggestions for next step very welcome.∏

Have you tried the remote with the car parked in various places? Mobile phone antennae, or anything that transmits a radio signal, can interfere with the remote locking. By "various places", I mean miles apart (e.g. at work and at home), not a few metres. Just a thought, as mine packed up at a hotel in France, but returned to normal after we moved on.

Audax · 16 March 2014, 06:12:12 PM

I've taken a look at the wiring diagram, basically the antenna only has 3 wires, 1 ground and 2 signal. You could check continuity in these wires but, I would be looking at the twice module which lives under the passenger seat (assuming RHD, on LHD cars it's in the same place but that's the drivers seat) to make sure that it isn't waterlogged or wet down there (a very common problem).

One further test, put the key in the ignition and turn it to on, then try pushing the door unlock button (or, other buttons I can't recall the detail) and see if anything appears on the SID about how many keys are programmed.