P38A Key fob

Hi all.
Would you be able to use the eka code and start the engine without batteries in the fob? I know its a strange question but i have to use the eka code every time i use the car. The led on the fob lights up when you press the buttons but will not unlock the doors. I want to take the fob apart to checl for damage but dont want to render ot useless.
Its a 99 2.5 diesel auto.
Cheers

Yes, you can use the manual key blade/EKA etc without the fob.

The EKA is detected via the microswitches in the door latch - which then trigger through to the BECM. The remote section is just that, a remote fob - there's no other transponder chip or anything like that in it - and the key blade is just that too - a metal key blade. So using it with the fob not having batteries in it is possible, yes.

Gadgetz said:

Hi all.
Would you be able to use the eka code and start the engine without batteries in the fob? I know its a strange question but i have to use the eka code every time i use the car. The led on the fob lights up when you press the buttons but will not unlock the doors. I want to take the fob apart to checl for damage but dont want to render ot useless.
Its a 99 2.5 diesel auto.
Cheers

Click to expand...

RF receiver disconnected? Try holding against rear quarter glass on driver's side and pressing the button. Is the fob synced? Will have to reconnect RF to do so I would think.

on my 2000 Xreg 2.5 deisel all you get is engine disabled press key fob but if no power in fob it wont start

Strange I had an issue at the weekend. Drove 200 miles no problem stopped and locked the car on the fob in the evening no problems. Went to it the next morning and nothing from the fob. Batteries are ok. walked all around the car pressing the fob like a mad man demented chanting like a hindu monk !!!. Eventually unlooked drivers door with the key and put key in ignition and expected usual engine immobilised signal but as I turned the key I caught the unlock button and hey presto doors unlocked and engine fired up. From what you guys are saying then, if this had not happedned I could have started the car just by going through the EKA routine ???

I think that sometimes,the doors dont lock completely and that stop the fob from unlocking an ulocked door. it happened to me once so I unlocked it with the key and operated the lock/ unlock button once or twice,then all was good

Ruby Range said:

Strange I had an issue at the weekend. Drove 200 miles no problem stopped and locked the car on the fob in the evening no problems. Went to it the next morning and nothing from the fob. Batteries are ok. walked all around the car pressing the fob like a mad man demented chanting like a hindu monk !!!. Eventually unlooked drivers door with the key and put key in ignition and expected usual engine immobilised signal but as I turned the key I caught the unlock button and hey presto doors unlocked and engine fired up. From what you guys are saying then, if this had not happedned I could have started the car just by going through the EKA routine ???

Click to expand...

Is yours a late model? I think some of the later models can sync the key in the ignition barrel rather than the door lock routine. I'd guess your key had gone out of sync. Do you have a cloned key?

Gadjetz, You must have had a keycode lockout at the start of all this. Flat battery etc?

It sounds like the data has corrupted from within the becm hence only access is by using the EKA code.

This can be sorted out.

Cheers guys
The rf is disconnected but rhat was years ago. Was working fine until it went for some work at a garage. When they told me it wouldnt work i went and changed the fob batteries and its been like this since. My worry is that as i cant afford a new fob, that i will wear the micro switches in the lock qnd then be totally locked out.

Grrrr Have both original keys and changed the batteries in both about 18 months ago and Ruby is 2000 model. Since the other weekend she has been fine, I just think she hates going to Sailsbury as last time we went she threw a front UJ!!!.What's the sequence for syncing the code with the key in the ignition ???

Ruby Range said:

Grrrr Have both original keys and changed the batteries in both about 18 months ago and Ruby is 2000 model. Since the other weekend she has been fine, I just think she hates going to Sailsbury as last time we went she threw a front UJ!!!.What's the sequence for syncing the code with the key in the ignition ???

Click to expand...

Mine's too old for that malarky. Should be in the handbook. I think it just does it. @martyuk or @Rick-the-Pick would know.

It should just do it in the ignition. If passive immobiliser is turned on in the BECM, then it will detect the key being inserted in the ignition (with the key in switch) and then the BECM will trigger the coil around the ignition barrel, which then creates a small impulse in the fob, which tells it to send the unlock code.

Reasons for it not working can include... The key in switch sticking, or not working properly, so it's not properly detecting the key being inserted. It could also be an issue with the passive immobilisation coil around the ignition, on my P38 something has failed on it and it doesn't work.. I've also seen times where the component on the key fob PCB has fallen off, so the pulse is not received and thus the fob hasn't then sent a code.

Without seeing the vehicle/settings in the BECM etc it's purely a guessing game unfortunately