Curious remote issue

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Oct 28, 2008 | 04:42 PM

eidderfliw

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Joined: Dec 2006

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Curious remote issue

For the past 2 years , the remote key has been working intermittently and of course, never would act up while at the dealership. It has gotten much worse recently. The problem is the remote function will not work at all, even if I am one foot away. I open the door manually and the remote will then work fine. Seems that after 5-6 hours is when it is now happening. It is now getting worse with the colder weather. I am being told by the dealer it is not part of the power management system, where components start shutting down if the system senses low voltage. I have changed keys and replaced batteries to no avail. It is an early vin 2004 A8L and is still under the CPO. Thanks for any info.

Oct 28, 2008 | 08:46 PM

MP4.2+6.0

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Joined: Oct 2001

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From: SF Bay Area, CA

My reactions:

1. It does sound like battery problems in the remote. My older heavily used remote has clearly lost range compared to my other untouched/still new remote.

2. The dealer may be wrong about the power management system, at least for keyless entry. Keyless entry definitely goes away at lower voltages from experience. I think I may remember if it gets really bad, it may need the actual key in the door cylinder, but haven't seen that so far.

Failing that, I guess if it isn't the key that leaves pretty much the receiver unit and antenna. You should look for TSB's on that.