P38 Key Fob problems

[Hightower]

Posting for a friend that is having probs with their P38.

One if the key fobs has begun to eat batteries.  They are having to put new ones in every three weeks or so.  In addition the fob does not lock or unlock properly any more, despite the batteries being fresh and the light coming on when the buttons are pressed.

Is it FUBAR, or is there a fix?

Any help would be appreciated.

[chris9119]

Re the batteries only lasting a few weeks, sounds as if one of the buttons is shorting out.

Re not locking, could be a number of issues: -

When new batteries are installed, has the key fob be re-sync'd correctly. New key is £149.50 incl. VAT from Main Stealer (ask me how I know)
If not locking on remote, but locking on key, it could be a faulty door lock mech (£150.00 each VAT from Main Stealer (ask me how I know)). Here's the gamble.., don't change it and it deadlocks, you've got to cut the latch bar with a hacksaw, from and through the rear passenger door frame....

For the sake of £50.00, take it to a garage and get the BECM read to find out what's happening...., or not. That way, he can make an informed, correct decision.

Chris

[bustermb]

have you sorted it buddy if so what was it  :D

[Hightower]

Chris,

Thanks for the reply.  I assumed that the battery problem was a short of some sort.  Having seen the key itself, it doen't look like there's a simple way of opening it up to have a look though  :(

Door lock mechanisms are fine as the second key operates them correctly.  It's just the first fob that causing the problems.

Do you know of a non destructive way of getting inside the fob?

[bustermb]

no buddy but if it keeps going on id go with the hammer :lol:

[chris9119]

Door lock mechanisms are fine as the second key operates them correctly.  It's just the first fob that causing the problems.

Do you know of a non destructive way of getting inside the fob?

One key working ok, other not, sounds like a sync issue to me!! Maybe worth trying to re-sync.

Re taking them apart..., never tried that and as far as I'm aware, you cannot get secondhand fob cases...

Good luck.

Chris