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key fob range (not battery related)


indie
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Hello folks!

My first post here :)

I've had a good look around, but can't see to get any joy with this.

My GTI has 2 remote keys, only one of which is currently working. The particular key that works has a terrible range and only works if you're stood right by the drivers door. At first I thought this was battery related, but after a couple of new batteries, the situation does not seem to improve.

RE the second key, I've tried a few variations on the re-pair procedure, but I'm yet to figure out the magic combination of key in ignition, lock, press buttons etc.

FWIW I did try looking at this with VCDS lite, but didn't get any joy trying to talk to the 'central convenience' module (apparently module is not found).

Does anybody know where the antenna for the fob is located, so that I can check it is plugged in. Also, this might sound really dim, but my radio hardly works - which makes me think that the wiring may be in the dash somewhere/perhaps it was knocked when I installed an after market HU.

When I got the car the fob worked from a good distance, so this problem seems to have developed recently.

Finally, I am quite sure the problem is not related to microswitches or sensors. The doors always unlock with the key and the interior light comes on just fine.

Thanks :tongueout:

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Seems reasonable to think the problem is related to poor radio performance, I must admit I thought the main airiel did both but worth checking with ELSAWIN, the other thing that you might check is the matching impeadence of the head unit you fitted some units are different that would also explain your poor radio performance or it could just be a bad connection.

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I really don't know how the GTI antenna works but it does sound related. Start tracing back from the aerial.

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Thanks guys, I will take the radio back out tonight and see if any of the wiring is loose.

I'm a little unsure where to find a wiring diagram for the car. Any suggestions?

It sounds a bit mad, but it is a bit bank that there is no haynes book (although I appreciate that it was probably not worth their while).

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Thanks guys, I will take the radio back out tonight and see if any of the wiring is loose.

I'm a little unsure where to find a wiring diagram for the car. Any suggestions?

It sounds a bit mad, but it is a bit bank that there is no haynes book (although I appreciate that it was probably not worth their while).

Yeah the lack of a Haynes isn't great. Just life though.

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The online manuals are £20 well worth it, it's a big download so make sure you have a fast internet connection and enough space on your computer.

you mean elsawin? You can get that for free?
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I didn't know there was an online manual...?

Just took the radio and cubby hole thing out. Putting the key into the void left and clicking he buttons reliably operates my remote central locking - all be it, from inside the car! :angry2:

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Does anybody know is the central convenience module is in the drivers footwell? (mine is RHD btw)

I think its referred to as J379 which R47 (antenna for central locking) is attached to.

There are conflicting reports though.

Some people say the central locking control is in the drivers door, but it doesn't sound like it is...

Oddly this post is almost exactly the problem I have:

http://www.volkszone.com/VZi/archive/index.php?t-801486.html

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OK man thanks, that saves me taking too much of it apart :thumbup:

Do you know which side its on?

I bought the e-manual (took ages to download), but its not clear if its on the drivers or passengers side.

Looks like certain VAG cars have issues with the CCM because its in the footwell and gets wet, but it sounds like thats probably not the case on a loop GTI.

Actually my air-con is also goosed, although the pressure is apparently OK and the compressor deffo works.

This has all get to be related. Ugh.

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The ccms almost never go on loops. They're safely buried behind the centre console if I remember rightly. I'd spend your time working out how the gti antenna works.

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Cool - good to know.

I think the antenna is connected to the ccm, so it may still be good to trace back down that way.

Ultimately the car is probably going to have to go to VW for a proper diagnostic. Can't get much sense out of vcds lite - it can't communicate with the ccm :-/

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VCDS doesn't really communicate much with the CCM, it doesn't work like that. What are you getting out of VCDS?

I have an interesting way though you could diagnose this issue if you're interested?

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VCDS doesn't really communicate much with the CCM, it doesn't work like that. What are you getting out of VCDS?

Thats good to know. Its hard to tell when you hook one of these things up, if it should registering something for a module, or if its just not supported in that particular car.

I have an interesting way though you could diagnose this issue if you're interested?

haha definitely be interested in any suggestions :-)

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It should register the module sure, but it won't get much out. I mean, what can it tell you? Apart from your door locks and what not, there ain't much you'll get out. If it's not detecting the module that might be an issue. Make sure your ignition is on.

So this is going to sound weird but you'll have to follow me on this one. Ok. Take your radio out the dash and disconnect the antenna. You've said your radio sort of works but has got worse. Get a piece of long insulated electrical wire (two metres if possible) and wrap it round the pin as best you can. Maybe even a teeny bit of electrical tape. Try to make sure it's not uninsulated coming away from the pin, again leccy tape. Now, take that long long wire and drape it out your drivers side window. Stand on that side and try and unlock your car. Does it work? If not, and this is going to sound risky but if you've insulated it right you'll be fine, try and plug the radio in carefully. It's possible it's using the OEM radio as an amplifier. What you've done is essentially made a localised antenna. It's a method I often use to diagnose radio faults. Try it.

If it works, you've identified it's an antenna issue. Come back when you have done this and report your results.

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It should register the module sure, but it won't get much out. I mean, what can it tell you? Apart from your door locks and what not, there ain't much you'll get out. If it's not detecting the module that might be an issue. Make sure your ignition is on.

My impression was that once you can talk to the module, you can perform key pairing that way?

So this is going to sound weird but you'll have to follow me on this one. Ok. Take your radio out the dash and disconnect the antenna. You've said your radio sort of works but has got worse. Get a piece of long insulated electrical wire (two metres if possible) and wrap it round the pin as best you can. Maybe even a teeny bit of electrical tape. Try to make sure it's not uninsulated coming away from the pin, again leccy tape. Now, take that long long wire and drape it out your drivers side window. Stand on that side and try and unlock your car. Does it work? If not, and this is going to sound risky but if you've insulated it right you'll be fine, try and plug the radio in carefully. It's possible it's using the OEM radio as an amplifier. What you've done is essentially made a localised antenna. It's a method I often use to diagnose radio faults. Try it.

If it works, you've identified it's an antenna issue. Come back when you have done this and report your results.

After some playing around, I managed to fix the radio signal - simply re-soldered the powered aerial wire and checked the connections. Radio now works great.

I did try your suggestion, but this didn't seem to change the remote fob range.

In light of the radio now having great signal I'd speculate that the antenna for the fob is elsewhere, either that or my keys are both knackered.

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I've just had a look at ELSA at work and it shows the aerial for the alarm as being attached to the central locking ECU, located above the relays on the driver's side. Its listed as being R47 - Central locking and alarm system aerial and is on the J379 Convenience ecu.

post-795-0-42659700-1438354517_thumb.jpg

Edited by lupogtiboy
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  • 2 weeks later...

Just to close the loop on this, I ended up having to buy a new remote fob.

Euro VW Canterbury sorted it out for me and were great. The cost wasn't too silly and they basically diagnosed 2x busted fobs.

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Just to close the loop on this, I ended up having to buy a new remote fob.

Euro VW Canterbury sorted it out for me and were great. The cost wasn't too silly and they basically diagnosed 2x busted fobs.

Interesting.

I wonder if you could have fixed this with a bit of hackery to one of your busted fobs.

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