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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Car problems - any ideas?

17 replies

Newyearmadness · 01/01/2023 20:08

Posting for traffic (sorry, couldn't find the car section?!)

Hopefully someone on here knows about cars and can advise?

I've not long come home, locked my car (Audi A3) and noticed that the red light wasn't flashing to indicate that the car was locked. I always check this but had to use the doors instead to make sure it was. All fine and I plan to take it to the garage when their back open to check the light, but 10 minutes later the alarm started going off. I ran out and fiddled with the key fob and it went off. Light still wasn't flashing to indicate it was locked so I checked doors again and it was. Seems ok now but I'm worried it will start going off again in the night - luckily it's right outside on the drive so I can just run out if it does but so bloody annoying and typical as I don't think any garages will be open tomorrow and I'm back to work on Tuesday.

Any guesses/ideas as to what it could be? I'm guessing a faulty sensor/wire etc but not sure. Anyone else had this issue before and what did it turn out to be?

OP posts:
Original poster
Newyearmadness · 01/01/2023 20:42

Bump 🙃

OP posts:
reallyneedtosleep · 01/01/2023 20:45

We had a similar issue with a Nissan juke . It was because the key fob battery was going. Alarm Kept going off randomly , figured out that when the key was at the back of the house out of range of the car it didn't go off.

AaBbC · 01/01/2023 20:47

Same as above - mine was the battery in the key fob was on its way out

Original poster
Newyearmadness · 01/01/2023 20:53

Thank you both. I'm hoping it's the key battery just running low and nothing massively expensive as I'm a bit skint after Christmas 🤣 fingers crossed it's just that and not a corroded wire etc!

OP posts:
Grumpybutfunny · 01/01/2023 20:55

What age is it? I had a mini that did that even went off when I was driving! Was the main battery. Can you pull the fuse of the alarm for now?

reenon · 01/01/2023 20:59

Whatever you do don't go to a main dealer / garage to get a replacement key battery. You will be charged a fortune. You'll be able to find a YouTube video on how to change your specific key battery and then you'll be able to see which one you need to buy. Amazon will be your best bet for a replacement. I've known BMW to charge over £100... It takes 2 mins and the battery costs approx £1!!

KendrickLamaze · 01/01/2023 21:00

Are all doors fully closed? Perhaps it's unable to lock because of this hence the fob light and it going off? Clutching at straws.

Original poster
Newyearmadness · 01/01/2023 21:00

It's 2012 @Grumpybutfunny

I'll be honest I have no idea how to disconnect the alarm and nobody else here to help either :(

I think my mechanic might be working tomorrow 🙏 so I'm going to pop there first thing to see if he can suss out what's going on!

OP posts:
teaandtoastwithmarmite · 01/01/2023 21:01

Thanks @reenon mine started going before Xmas. It was struggling to lock and unlock. I got a message when I stuck the key in the car though to say it was low.

Blanketpolicy · 01/01/2023 21:02

Do you have a spare key fob you can try?

mogsrus · 01/01/2023 21:02

Could be computer needs a reset or a battery at first thoughts. I’ve known brand new cars lock owner out due to computer

Grumpybutfunny · 01/01/2023 21:03

mogsrus · 01/01/2023 21:02

Could be computer needs a reset or a battery at first thoughts. I’ve known brand new cars lock owner out due to computer

Mercs do that

Blanketpolicy · 01/01/2023 21:04

Also ds's battery went on his ford key fob a couple of months ago, but the car told him the battery was low, it was easily changed ourselves at home. Check youtube for your car/fob.

Original poster
Newyearmadness · 01/01/2023 21:12

My spare key is dead - battery went a few months ago I just swapped keys (terrible aren't I)

I've just gone out to it again and the key seems to be working fine, no issues at all. I'm not having to click buttons multiple times for it to work like I did with the other one when that went dead. I even stood in the living room to use it and it's worked fine. I've just checked all the doors, boot, petrol cap (not sure if that makes a difference anyway but I stopped for fuel on the way home earlier) and their all definitely locked. The locking system seems to be working fine and all lights flashing when I lock/unlock the car, it's just the red light that's not flashing to show that the car is locked, but it definitely is as I've checked all the doors. Alarm hasn't gone off again though which is good.

OP posts:
CambsGent71 · 01/01/2023 21:20

Check that the bonnet and hatch are closed properly.

hedgehoglurker · 01/01/2023 21:27

You possibly just need a new battery in the key.

To prevent the risk of the alarm going off overnight, I'd consider locking the doors manually with the key in the locks, rather than using the button on the fob. No alarm set, but no risk of waking the neighbours.

mogsrus · 01/01/2023 21:28

Grumpybutfunny · 01/01/2023 21:03

Mercs do that

Show quote history

Audi like to do it as well. Had a nisssan go once. Anything with a computer is easy prey for gremlins

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