V40 /fob/ alarm unreliable

DavidMarron · Nov 20th, 2020, 18:38

Hi
V40 2001
I have changed the battery in the fob ( replaced the case with a pattern one a few years back)

The alarm/central locking is flakey over the last fortnight. New battery, but I have to walk around the car to get it to lock or unlock. Standing near the filler seems a good spot.
It's bloody irritating!

I am quite happy to buy a new remote (if not too expensive) or just understand the issue?

TIA

P156KWJ · Nov 20th, 2020, 21:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidMarron

Hi
V40 2001
I have changed the battery in the fob ( replaced the case with a pattern one a few years back)

The alarm/central locking is flakey over the last fortnight. New battery, but I have to walk around the car to get it to lock or unlock. Standing near the filler seems a good spot.
It's bloody irritating!

I am quite happy to buy a new remote (if not too expensive) or just understand the issue?

TIA

Both my fobs are like this too despite new batteries, I've learned to put up with it but when it is sometimes worse it's rather annoying

gatos · Nov 20th, 2020, 21:27

The antenna module is located exactly above the instrument cluster, so try putting the fob near the windscreen on the driver's side and see if it gets better. My guess would be that the antenna module is playing up, so replacing it may solve the problem

clarkey1984 · Nov 20th, 2020, 22:26

Mine was like this, after the umpteenth new battery it was still just the same, so after remembering another car this trick worked on, I tore a piece of the card from the packet that the battery came in and folded it over on top of the battery before refitting the back, now it's really responsive, my guess is that the battery wasn't making full contact all the time and the card forces it in tighter, good old card fixed it.

P156KWJ · Nov 21st, 2020, 01:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by clarkey1984

Mine was like this, after the umpteenth new battery it was still just the same, so after remembering another car this trick worked on, I tore a piece of the card from the packet that the battery came in and folded it over on top of the battery before refitting the back, now it's really responsive, my guess is that the battery wasn't making full contact all the time and the card forces it in tighter, good old card fixed it.

Cured mine for a little bit with electrical tape over the battery, hadn't thought of using card but might try that

CharlesStevenson · Nov 29th, 2020, 09:13

I'd suggest that both of the 'over the battery' fixes are really doing this - the circuit board inside seems to develop a fine crack over use, so the circuit keeps cutting out.

That's what's happened to the fobs on my current (and previous S/V40's.

So if putting something over the battery doesn't work, you could try putting something under the circuit board in the fob - might work?

Nov 20th, 2020, 18:38	#1
DavidMarron Member Last Online: Aug 24th, 2023 17:54 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: reading	V40 /fob/ alarm unreliable Hi V40 2001 I have changed the battery in the fob ( replaced the case with a pattern one a few years back) The alarm/central locking is flakey over the last fortnight. New battery, but I have to walk around the car to get it to lock or unlock. Standing near the filler seems a good spot. It's bloody irritating! I am quite happy to buy a new remote (if not too expensive) or just understand the issue? TIA

Nov 20th, 2020, 21:27	#3
gatos Premier Member Last Online: Nov 15th, 2022 21:34 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: London / Essex	The antenna module is located exactly above the instrument cluster, so try putting the fob near the windscreen on the driver's side and see if it gets better. My guess would be that the antenna module is playing up, so replacing it may solve the problem __________________ Current car: 2002 S40 1.9D, 1992 240SE Nullius in Verba

Nov 20th, 2020, 22:26	#4
clarkey1984 Premier Member Last Online: Apr 13th, 2022 09:41 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Beccles	Mine was like this, after the umpteenth new battery it was still just the same, so after remembering another car this trick worked on, I tore a piece of the card from the packet that the battery came in and folded it over on top of the battery before refitting the back, now it's really responsive, my guess is that the battery wasn't making full contact all the time and the card forces it in tighter, good old card fixed it. __________________ 02 V40 T4 S, "Sargent silver" she's back!

Nov 29th, 2020, 09:13	#6
CharlesStevenson Premier Member Last Online: Mar 24th, 2024 17:33 Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Nottingham	I'd suggest that both of the 'over the battery' fixes are really doing this - the circuit board inside seems to develop a fine crack over use, so the circuit keeps cutting out. That's what's happened to the fobs on my current (and previous S/V40's. So if putting something over the battery doesn't work, you could try putting something under the circuit board in the fob - might work? __________________ Now: 04 reg V70 2.4 SE 2.4 auto 177k Then: Volvo, Saab, BMW, MB, Ford, Vx, Opel, Fiat, Rover, Porsche, Alfa, Austin, Renault, etc

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