Unlocking the car with a key

m0sko · 5th April 2008, 21:28

Just a quick question about unlocking the car.

My remote fob works ok for both locking up and unlocking the car. But I have recently tried to open the car with the key.

When I turn the key backwards, it normally locks the car and sets the alarm. So far so good. Now, when I turn the key clockwise it will unlock the door but will not unset the alarm. So when I open the door the alarm activates. Is that normal?

adam

DJW · 5th April 2008, 21:37

It is normal. Insurance regulations required them to operate like this. You can press the remote button to switch off the alarm, or you may even find that by switching on the ignition it goes off.

cjmillsnun · 5th April 2008, 21:51

Is it??

I'm sure the alarm should de-set when the key is used.

If it was for insurance purposes surely the other MGR vehicles would work in the same way (they don't, I've had a lot of other MGR vehicles and the alarm would set/unset with either the key or the fob!)

DJW · 5th April 2008, 21:55

If not insurance then its a BMW thing and the fact that not all supplied keys were remote.

Simon · 5th April 2008, 21:58

Can I add my car doesn't do this.
It is worth noting, however, which alarm system the OP has installed. I have only the perimetric (ie standard) system on my car. Perhaps the volumetric system requires deactivation via the key fob in order to prevent the motion sensors from triggering the alarm once the door is opened.

cjmillsnun · 5th April 2008, 22:00

Possible, was just about to check it in the handbooks.

raykay · 5th April 2008, 22:04

The key should unlock the door and switch the alarm off.

As well as mechanically unlocking the door the lock also operates a microswitch that switches the alarm off, and on unlocking a second time, unlocks the other doors.

Sounds like your a problem with the microswitch, especially if unlocking the car twice doesn't unlock the other doors.

m0sko · 5th April 2008, 22:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjmillsnun

I'm sure the alarm should de-set when the key is used.

That's what I thought! I am not quick enough to turn the ignition before the alarm goes off.

So, when the battery in the fob is flat...

adam

DJW · 5th April 2008, 22:14

The locking/alarm thing could be software versions and I would not consider it a fault.
On the flat battery front I have heard of cars with message centres displaying flat battery messages, if this is the case then you should find that as the charge level drops to below a certain point the key will first lose its ability to lock the car by remote to avoid problems. But then we all know how electronics can still let us down!

raykay · 5th April 2008, 22:22

The alarm should not operate when unlocking with the key.
The difference between locking with the remote button and the key is that the remote button also enables superlocking and the interior space sensor (if fitted), locking with the key does not. Unlocking with the button or the key completely disables the alarm.

5th April 2008, 21:28	#1
m0sko Avid contributor Rover 75 / BMW 123d coupe Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: SE Posts: 125 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Unlocking the car with a key Just a quick question about unlocking the car. My remote fob works ok for both locking up and unlocking the car. But I have recently tried to open the car with the key. When I turn the key backwards, it normally locks the car and sets the alarm. So far so good. Now, when I turn the key clockwise it will unlock the door but will not unset the alarm. So when I open the door the alarm activates. Is that normal? adam

5th April 2008, 22:22	#10
raykay I really should get out more....... Now Other Manufacturer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Co. Kerry Posts: 2,786 Thanks: 16 Thanked 310 Times in 283 Posts	The alarm should not operate when unlocking with the key. The difference between locking with the remote button and the key is that the remote button also enables superlocking and the interior space sensor (if fitted), locking with the key does not. Unlocking with the button or the key completely disables the alarm. Last edited by raykay; 5th April 2008 at 22:25..

5th April 2008, 21:37	#2
DJW Avid contributor MG ZT CDTI, MG ZT 160+ Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 129 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	It is normal. Insurance regulations required them to operate like this. You can press the remote button to switch off the alarm, or you may even find that by switching on the ignition it goes off.

5th April 2008, 21:51	#3
cjmillsnun Gets stuck in Rover 75 Connoisseur CDTi & MGZT+ CDTi 135 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Petersfield Posts: 787 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Is it?? I'm sure the alarm should de-set when the key is used. If it was for insurance purposes surely the other MGR vehicles would work in the same way (they don't, I've had a lot of other MGR vehicles and the alarm would set/unset with either the key or the fob!)

5th April 2008, 21:55	#4
DJW Avid contributor MG ZT CDTI, MG ZT 160+ Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 129 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	If not insurance then its a BMW thing and the fact that not all supplied keys were remote.

5th April 2008, 21:58	#5
Simon Banned - Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: - Posts: 10,318 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Can I add my car doesn't do this. It is worth noting, however, which alarm system the OP has installed. I have only the perimetric (ie standard) system on my car. Perhaps the volumetric system requires deactivation via the key fob in order to prevent the motion sensors from triggering the alarm once the door is opened.

5th April 2008, 22:00	#6
cjmillsnun Gets stuck in Rover 75 Connoisseur CDTi & MGZT+ CDTi 135 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Petersfield Posts: 787 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Possible, was just about to check it in the handbooks.

5th April 2008, 22:04	#7
raykay I really should get out more....... Now Other Manufacturer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Co. Kerry Posts: 2,786 Thanks: 16 Thanked 310 Times in 283 Posts	The key should unlock the door and switch the alarm off. As well as mechanically unlocking the door the lock also operates a microswitch that switches the alarm off, and on unlocking a second time, unlocks the other doors. Sounds like your a problem with the microswitch, especially if unlocking the car twice doesn't unlock the other doors.

5th April 2008, 22:14	#9
DJW Avid contributor MG ZT CDTI, MG ZT 160+ Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 129 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The locking/alarm thing could be software versions and I would not consider it a fault. On the flat battery front I have heard of cars with message centres displaying flat battery messages, if this is the case then you should find that as the charge level drops to below a certain point the key will first lose its ability to lock the car by remote to avoid problems. But then we all know how electronics can still let us down!