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Is 250 Keyless Locking / Unlocking Problem Help !


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My first Lexus and 9 months trouble free motoring but then I come out one morning and the car won't open -so I used th emergency key ( which sets the alarm off until you start the engine !! not good at 7.00 in the morning) I have spoken to Lexus and they acknowledge a problem with many of these cars but they have no answers -except fill in a form - woke up this morning and had problems getting in - :tsktsk: then when in re locking the doors- when i am in it occasionally flashes key not detected ??? - I have tried both keys ?? please has anyone any suggestions as to how to resolve the problem or at least stopping the alarm going off if I use the emergency key -- Many thanks.........

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It only appears to be on my path at home at the moment, but has been fine for 9 months so not sure why its only just happening- really bothered it will let me down else where surely there must be a fix - I have read some owners have had the transponder units changed - anyone any idea if that seems to fix the problem ?? Just cant believe that Lexus have got this so wrong - i changed from BMW because of poor quality !

Also anyway of stopping the alarm sounding when I use the manual key as early in a morning its beyond a joke !!!!!!!!!!!!!

:excl:

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It only appears to be on my path at home at the moment, but has been fine for 9 months so not sure why its only just happening- really bothered it will let me down else where surely there must be a fix - I have read some owners have had the transponder units changed - anyone any idea if that seems to fix the problem ?? Just cant believe that Lexus have got this so wrong - i changed from BMW because of poor quality !

Also anyway of stopping the alarm sounding when I use the manual key as early in a morning its beyond a joke !!!!!!!!!!!!!

:excl:

I had a similar problem with my 200, parked in the same spot outside the house for 6 or so months then one day, NOTHING from any of the keys, went into the house checked the forum and interferance seemed to be the main explanation. I openned the car with the key and with the alarm blaring set off to work. 10 seconds later alarm stops and I carry onto work. Once at work get I got out of the car and locked it as normal, locked and unlocked it several times without problem.

Got home at night and it wouldn't lock, jumped in the car drove into the next street and hey presto it locked !!! Went back home NOTHING. Totally frustrated I just walked around the car trying and trying, then when I was stood next to the fuel filler cap click it locked. Pushing my luck click it unlocked but only if stood at the filler cap. Locked it and went in the house thinking right first thing tomorrow it's back to Lexus.

Next morning went out it openned without a problem and touch wood the problem has'nt happened since,it was a totally mad 2 days.

Summery : I think it wikll just pass and interferance is probably to blame.

Good Luck

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It only appears to be on my path at home at the moment, but has been fine for 9 months so not sure why its only just happening- really bothered it will let me down else where surely there must be a fix - I have read some owners have had the transponder units changed - anyone any idea if that seems to fix the problem ?? Just cant believe that Lexus have got this so wrong - i changed from BMW because of poor quality !

Also anyway of stopping the alarm sounding when I use the manual key as early in a morning its beyond a joke !!!!!!!!!!!!!

:excl:

It's nothing Lexus have done wrong, merely interference with the transponder and has happened to a few different makes such as Subaru, Ford etc. I was stuck outside the car a few months back but by the morning the interference was gone and all was OK. You could try parking a

different way round or in a different place if possible.

I was only at Lexus Cov this morning and someone called in with a GS saying they couldn't get in (same problem as you), the engineer went out and rolled the car back 20ft and it worked fine.

For being stuck whilst away from home, watch out for problems locking as this will indicate if you will have a problem getting back in again.

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This is an incredibly common problem. It is not likely to be a Lexus problem IF it happens in one place only.

I went to the Merc garage in Cov a couple of years ago (when I nearly made the error of buying a C Class :o ) and I couldn't get into my A4. This is when the dealer wanted to value it...

In the end he piped up that there was a mobile mast behind the dealers which did this all the time to cars in their car park.

Someone else with a new IS had this issue on this forum, and the RAC van parked up behind his car and it was OK again.

Someone's probably got a CB (lol) aerial or something similar nearby. Have you or your neighbour gone wireless at home? It could be that - Wireless routers use Radio waves too. Change the Channel to a different frequency (normally 1-13) and see if that helps.

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Ive exactly the same problem. Just seems to be outside my house. Has been fine for last 6 months then 2 days ago it all hit the fan!!

So booked into Lexus Edinburgh on Tuesday with it.....they wouldnt even give me a courtesy car as they were all booked up!!! :tsktsk:

Anyway will let you know how I get on

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  • 1 month later...

I got my new IS250 last Friday (27/10/06). I had no problems with the locking whatsoever until the evening day before yesterday when I had trouble locking it with the button on the door handle. The following morning I coulnt unlock it with either key fob. Called Lexus Coventry who told me to get the RAC round. Eventually managed to unlock it by aiming the key fob into the center of the cabin through the window. Then the car wouldnt start, so RAC man tried to reset something by disconnecting the Battery and holding the key right next to the start button, which worked.

Told me to take it to Lexus, which I did, and the mechanic there had no problems whatsoever, but admitted it was a known problem and probably due to interference, that if they did a fix for it he would let me know.

Like some of the others, it only plays up on my driveway and so far hasnt happened anywhere else I have parked. I really did not expect this to happen in a Lexus. I mean I never had this trouble with my Ford or Peugeot, although admittedly they did have major problems in other areas.

And all this within a week of getting it brand spanking new!

I''ll see if I can work out what the interference is by elimination.

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I got my new IS250 last Friday (27/10/06). I had no problems with the locking whatsoever until the evening day before yesterday when I had trouble locking it with the button on the door handle. The following morning I coulnt unlock it with either key fob. Called Lexus Coventry who told me to get the RAC round. Eventually managed to unlock it by aiming the key fob into the center of the cabin through the window. Then the car wouldnt start, so RAC man tried to reset something by disconnecting the battery and holding the key right next to the start button, which worked.

Told me to take it to Lexus, which I did, and the mechanic there had no problems whatsoever, but admitted it was a known problem and probably due to interference, that if they did a fix for it he would let me know.

Like some of the others, it only plays up on my driveway and so far hasnt happened anywhere else I have parked. I really did not expect this to happen in a Lexus. I mean I never had this trouble with my Ford or Peugeot, although admittedly they did have major problems in other areas.

And all this within a week of getting it brand spanking new!

I''ll see if I can work out what the interference is by elimination.

Sorry if this is a silly question, but wouldn't it have been easier to unlock the car manually using the key - rather than calling the RAC?

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I got my new IS250 last Friday (27/10/06). I had no problems with the locking whatsoever until the evening day before yesterday when I had trouble locking it with the button on the door handle. The following morning I coulnt unlock it with either key fob. Called Lexus Coventry who told me to get the RAC round. Eventually managed to unlock it by aiming the key fob into the center of the cabin through the window. Then the car wouldnt start, so RAC man tried to reset something by disconnecting the battery and holding the key right next to the start button, which worked.

Told me to take it to Lexus, which I did, and the mechanic there had no problems whatsoever, but admitted it was a known problem and probably due to interference, that if they did a fix for it he would let me know.

Like some of the others, it only plays up on my driveway and so far hasnt happened anywhere else I have parked. I really did not expect this to happen in a Lexus. I mean I never had this trouble with my Ford or Peugeot, although admittedly they did have major problems in other areas.

And all this within a week of getting it brand spanking new!

I''ll see if I can work out what the interference is by elimination.

Sorry if this is a silly question, but wouldn't it have been easier to unlock the car manually using the key - rather than calling the RAC?

Heh

Wasnt aware and wasnt told of that by Lexus Coventry who recommended the RAC option, because if RAC had to tow it in then I would get a replacement vehicle if they had to keep it. :o Go figure. Also is it possible to start the car with the key if the fobs are not working?

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Hey,

I am a new member was reading through your posts on locking problem,

my uncle brought a new Toyota, barely 24 hours he had a unlocking problem outside my house, he said he had no problem in Brixton where he lives, so we called out the RAC as recommend by his Toyota dealer, when the RAC man got to my house he had fixed the problem within 1 minute, he said that its a common problem with the new cars, its the frequency that gets broken because of major interference with radio stations and e.t.c .

the RAC man told me that he had to toe a brand new car half a mile down the road because of these black spots and the car worked perfectly well, he advised that the key should be re-programmed to a different frequency by the local dealer, he also mentioned that the alarms go off at random times and also some cars would lock and unlock themselves automatically, very worrying.

i think that the Lexus maybe using the same locking system as the Toyota cars, althrough there are the same company you can tell by the window switchs the same in both lexus and toyota.

ume

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thanks for your post ume. i just spoke to the lexus contact centre and they said its a problem that's not unheard of. I asked about the reprogramming and he said the local dealership would need the access codes from the regional manager which could take a few weeks!! will contact them monday as they are closed at present.

neil

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Hi Everyone,

I also have the same problem here in Sydney, Australia since Sunday (5 Nov), where the car doesn't recognise the keyfob in my car spot in the carpark, but it works fine in other spots, especially weird as it had worked perfectly fine for 6 months prior in the same spot.

It is driving me crazy, we even did a door knock around to see if any neighbors bought any new RF equipment (radios, wi-fi etc) (no unfortunately), which doesn't help to track it down.

I don't understand what could be causing such strong interference that when you place the key fob right next to the door handle, that the car still cannot always 'sense' it.

Also I dont think it is due to low Battery on the key fob as both keys have the same problem. I have read in the manual that the car indicator screen will advise when the keyfob has a low Battery.

I look with keen interest with you sharing a potential solution to this problem, and wonder if it is a Lexus fault or just a fact of life we need to put up with.

If this continues I would think it is up to Lexus to come up with a solution, as ultimately it is one of their features used to sell the car and it isnt a feature if it doesn't work.

thanks in advance

Bob

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Magically the problem disappeared yesterday and I can now lock and unlock the car outside my house which was causing trouble before. But this morning the keyless entry didnt work the first time I pulled the door handle. There are a number of wireless hotspots in my area but as has been mentioned these operate in an entirely different frequency spectrum.

And also no problems with either the Peugeot or Ford thats in the same driveway.

I got a call from Lexus UK yesterday asking for feedback on my new purchase etc and I told them the problems and asked for it to be escalated, I suggest you contact the equivalent centre in Australia and let them know, hopefully with enough complaints this might make them prioritise a fix for this.

I've not asked yet but maybe a dealer can reprogram the fob to work on another frequency?

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As I said above, this is not a Lexus specific problem. I know of Lexus, Toyota (one in the same I know), Subaru, Mercs and a VW which have had the same problem. Also, the locking transponders and associated technology will be subbed out to someone like Lucas who would specialise in the technology. there is no point ranting, pointing fingers at, or getting indignant with Lexus as all they can feed back is to the manufacturers involved.

The interference issue is also not a fault of the technology, which no doubt meets all CE regs with regard to interference as will other approved transmitters. When you get to pirate radio, home WiFi, taxi firms etc etc all putting out high power frequencies all over the spectrum you will get interference. This is where we need some tighter controls and regs to resolve the issue.

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As I said above, this is not a Lexus specific problem. I know of Lexus, Toyota (one in the same I know), Subaru, Mercs and a VW which have had the same problem. Also, the locking transponders and associated technology will be subbed out to someone like Lucas who would specialise in the technology. there is no point ranting, pointing fingers at, or getting indignant with Lexus as all they can feed back is to the manufacturers involved.

The interference issue is also not a fault of the technology, which no doubt meets all CE regs with regard to interference as will other approved transmitters. When you get to pirate radio, home WiFi, taxi firms etc etc all putting out high power frequencies all over the spectrum you will get interference. This is where we need some tighter controls and regs to resolve the issue.

Absolutely - and if we could "see" the amount of radio waves around us all of the time we would freak out!!

It's likely to be a specific interaction of a number of radio waves in any one area which causes the problem. I could never get my Audi to lock or unlock at a particular Merc garage in Coventry. The garage told me it was "normal" in their car park for this to happen.

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As I said above, this is not a Lexus specific problem. I know of Lexus, Toyota (one in the same I know), Subaru, Mercs and a VW which have had the same problem. Also, the locking transponders and associated technology will be subbed out to someone like Lucas who would specialise in the technology. there is no point ranting, pointing fingers at, or getting indignant with Lexus as all they can feed back is to the manufacturers involved.

The interference issue is also not a fault of the technology, which no doubt meets all CE regs with regard to interference as will other approved transmitters. When you get to pirate radio, home WiFi, taxi firms etc etc all putting out high power frequencies all over the spectrum you will get interference. This is where we need some tighter controls and regs to resolve the issue.

Absolutely - and if we could "see" the amount of radio waves around us all of the time we would freak out!!

It's likely to be a specific interaction of a number of radio waves in any one area which causes the problem. I could never get my Audi to lock or unlock at a particular Merc garage in Coventry. The garage told me it was "normal" in their car park for this to happen.

Rich Bee,

I'll rant and get indignant if I want :) It is people like me who complain that helps manufacturers fix their problems. I know. I work in software, and if our users didnt complain we wouldnt know of half the problems that arose if they didnt test our products in the real world and give us feedback.

As an end user, I don't and shouldn't care about inteference, or who the real manufacturer of the equipment is or whatever excuse the car maker wants to throw our way to sidestep the problem and wash their hands off providing a fix, no matter how presitigious the brand. If I ever sold a system that occasionally failed to boot I wouldn't say to the buyer "oh its because the motor on the hard drive sometimes doesn't start because of static electricity, move your machine to the pantry where there is less of that" or something. Even though sadly some in my industry may have probably used that line, I dont expect your average computer user to have to know about whats inside the box, we accept responsibility for the whole and send someone round to fix it, which is what you would and should expect, especially with what is meant to be a luxury brand.

The spectrum is already regulated and licenced to prevent major clashes. But not dealing with inteference is a failure of the implementation of the technology because it seems some of the 'cheaper' manufacturers like Ford and Peugeot can seem to build a system that works without locking you out of your car or not letting you lock it in the first place, which are quite serious and aggravating issues as you can imagine. Of the top of my head I would say a potential fix would be for the transponder or aerial to detect inteference at the frequency it was operating at and ask the key fob to automatically use another frequency or boost its output. Or ask Ford how they do it.

I doubt you would be defending the problem quite so much if say the brakes on the car totally failed because of 'inteference' from rain water. And if you did then maybe manufacturers wouldn't be so compelled to invent technologies like ABS to help because they would think it did not bother you too much when you couldnt brake during bad weather.

Sorry for the long and ranting post, don't get me wrong, I like my new Lexus, but it sets me off when they try to blame everything except their technology and are really patronising to you as well (e.g. "did you turn off the engine first before you tried to lock it? no I like to keep it running so the car is warm in the mornings darling."). Like there can never be anything wrong with the actual product. It is when we stop complaining and live with it that we say goodbye to improvements and progress and ultimately end up with below par unreliable, poor quality products and systems, much like the old British car industry that used to exist :P . Sorry, couldn't resist.

So, moral of the story, keep complaining and give em your feedback. Otherwise they'll just surf the internet all day. Doh, back to work...

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Neil,

I fail to see how the brakes comment helps this discussion, it is about the locking which is not safety related and this fault is a problem which I have also encountered. It was resolved when the RAC van blocked whatever signal was interfering with it and I moved the car. The next day the locking was fine again. Rogue signals are an absolute pain for me at work (telecomms) and we can legislate, regulate and test to our hearts content - once a pirate radio station, taxi etc gets going it can mess it all up.

There is also the point that you can implement a system to work in line with all the valid and licenced frequencies. Very true, but these systems can fail when people who do not to register with the RA or other such regulatory body start to transmit. The systems operated by Ford and Peuguot also are not comparable as they are different technolgies.

The problem is intermittent and is caused by interference, this means it is not the base technology but an external influence. I can accept the point that they should be able to cope with this [albeit it is very hard to cover the unknown] but I am also pragmatic enough to see this as a very infrequent annoyance. If they manage a fix then great, if not then I'm not that bothered.

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The example of brakes was to point out that just as you would complain about the brakes you should complain about the the remote locking not working too and not just bear it in silence just because it is not safety related as to me being able to lock and unlock my car is quite critical to its operation.

People rightly complain to their dealer about squeaky wipers and rattles so making a fuss about this is acceptable in my opinion.

You have to ask yourself if your patience or pragmatism would last if you happened to get locked in a car park that closes overnight or were you to get a parking ticket because you couldn't unlock your car in time. It will probably happen to someone in their Lexus and with Sod's law it will happen on their wedding day. The fact that it is intermittent makes it worse because you can't predict this fault that you are aware of and it can fail at any time or place.

You just don't expect something like this out of a brand spanking new £25k car. I mean, aren't the other car systems based on radio waves too? From what I have gathered the keyless entry system has 7 aerials - 1 in each door, one in the boot, one to detect if the key is in the car itself, and one backup. Like Bob above, I am confused as to how it is actually possible for a signal to overpower the detection of the key by all 7 even when the key is actually touching a door? When the engine won't start unless your holding the key to the button? What is it that is so powerful in my cul-de-sac that then just disappears a few days later? A likelier explanation perhaps, would a signal from somewhere not drowning out the key fob entirely but actually confusing the software on the fob or in the car itself i.e. a software bug, which means its fixable. But all this is speculation, the only people who can really tell what's going on are Lexus/Denso, right? So you have to ask yourself, is it worth the effort to make a phone call (01737 367601) to let them know, and hopefully prevent possible scenarios outlined above?

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Rich Bee

You are right. Page 8 of the user manual. Bugger!!! What a get out.

The project manager's I have worked with would find some of those caveats quite unacceptable and force us to design a more resilient system.

lol

there's more on pages 10-11, this is a right laugh!! i can see potential bugs everywhere!!

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Quote from page 11 of the manual

"The system may not operate properly in the following cases:

- The electronic key is too close to the window or outside door handle, near the ground, or in a high place when the doors are locked or unlocked.

- Gripping the door handle when wearing a glove may not unlock the door

- If the wirless remote control is used to lock the doors when the electronic key is near the vehicle, there is a possibility that the door may not be unlocked by the entry function...

"

Also of note is the Battery saving function on page 10.

It seems like they found all these issues, which would commonly be labelled as bugs or defects by project managers and testers, and instead of fixing them have simply decided to list them as warnings in the user manual. Great. Just great. Wish I could get away with that at work.

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My new Lexus is coming tomorrow and if it gets effected by the radio waves and wireless routers down my street it will be very embarrassing indeed as i proberly be the only one in wembley to have a new lexus, , i may have to call my friend to tell him to switch off his internet so i switch on my car, 22k car and dont switch on :(, we wait and see.

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My new Lexus is coming tomorrow and if it gets effected by the radio waves and wireless routers down my street it will be very embarrassing indeed as i proberly be the only one in wembley to have a new lexus, , i may have to call my friend to tell him to switch off his internet so i switch on my car, 22k car and dont switch on :(, we wait and see.

good luck,enjoy your new lexus,if it starts :lol::lol::tomato: :winky:

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