Aftermarket Remote Locking Kit - Remote Repair

[Old Mosher]

Hi.

My three button key remote packed in on my 2001 2.2 hdi excusive ages ago. I've tried every tip I could find on this forum to get it working, but without success.

 

I figure a simple three button remote from ebay will be a fraction of the cost of a new fob from Citroen but I would like to get the same functions as the original remote, i.e. the mirrors retracting and windows closing.

 

So is there a receiver box or somewhere in the car where I can get into the wiring loom, so the car acts as if its getting the original signal.  

 

The Central locking still works on the key so I could just splice into the door lock switches but then I wouldn't get the mirror retract. it's handy in the tight car park at work and finding a window down or the sun roof open is a pain.

Edited June 23, 2015 by Old Mosher

[paul.h]

The remote also does the alarm as well as the locks and waking up the car (noticed by the suspension). Personally I would go to Citroen and get the right parts and it is also possible it may not be the remote that is faulty.

 

The receiver for the remote is part of the comms 2000 switch unit under the steering wheel, this then communicates with the bsi which then works the locks and other things associated with the locking/remote. Some of the connections are multi plexed and not single wires so even if you could connect in some where it may not be easy.

 

If not already tried, you could have a go at resynchronising the remote:

 

4.3. Matching with the vehicle

The use of the remote control necessitates a matching with the vehicle.

The coded message sent to the receiver by each remote control is composed of the following codes :

• A fixed code linked to the key
• A rolling code matched with the vehicle’s receiver
• A code corresponding to the action to be performed
• A code corresponding to the condition of charge of the batteries

4.4. Resynchronisation of the remote control

The rolling code of the remote control is modified each time the remote control is used.

A small offset between the rolling code expected by the receiver and that transmitted by the remote control is tolerated (case of use of the remote control outside the range of the receiver).

In the event of this tolerance being exceeded it is necessary to resynchronise the remote control.

The tolerance is of 255 offsets.

To resynchronise the remote control, this procedure has to be followed:

- 1 Switch on the ignition using the key whose remote control is to be resynchronised

- 2 Press one of the transmitter buttons within 10 seconds of the appearance of ignition+

N.B. : For a vehicle equipped with the under-inflation function the vehicle should remain at zero speed

[Old Mosher]

I've tried the bsi, ecu and remote resynchronisation again today and I'm fairly sure the remote just isn't transmitting anymore. The Citroen dealer in Kettering has questionable feedback on Google, so could you tell me if this is true?

"To replace the transmitter they have to have a complete new key cut as the immobiliser transponder on the remote pcb not in the key and this would be £75.57 and programing it would be another £65"

[paul.h]

You could always ask them to not cut the key and put the pcb  in your old case, but I think they are ordered to match your car complete with the cut key and transponder. This way you will also end up with a spare key which I suspect you do not have.

[Old Mosher]

Yes that's pretty much what they said, only able to get the whole thing pretty cut. I'm thinking if the transponder is passive ie not power by the battery it's only mounted on the pcb to keep the two together. I'm going to see if the transponder can be de-soldered and transplanted to another remote pcb.

[paul.h]

You could be right, on our 2003 C3 when I replaced the key case the pcb and the immobilser transponder chip were separate parts to move in to the new ebay sourced case. If you do separate them, beware of overheating and damaging the bits, also in case you want to refit the old bits back together if it turns out the remote was not the faulty bit. You may have already done this but if not, have a look at the pcb in case there is some damage/faulty soldering/maybe a switch has come unsoldered (something read in a search).

 

If you do end up at Citroen, it may be worth getting them to confirm the remote is the fault before you order one. There may also be car locksmiths who would do this as well as provide a new remote.

[Old Mosher]

Had a look at the pcb under the big minifying glass at work. Only transmitter components on-board, No rfid. I did find a dry solder connection on the 13.560Mhz crystal that give me new hope of getting it working again and I'll give it a shot tonight. I did a quick test at lunchtime and with no pcb or case it starts, so the transponder is in the plastic hinge part of the folding key blade.

 

With this in mind and considering Citroen only supply the whole thing. In exactly what context do we take the Citroen statement that the unit can only be coded to the car once and second hand unit cannot be reprogramed to another car.

 

I can fully understand the rfid transponder being a one shot deal but if you can synchronise a remote control that has a flat battery and the rolling code is lost, is it absolutely out of the question that a second hand remote pcb alone could be synchronised using the cars key blade and rfid. Could it simply be that the Citroen system for programing the unit doesn't allow for the successful recoding without first successfully coding a transponder?

 

I'm probably barking up the wrong tree, or just barking lol :blink:

[Old Mosher]

Something doesn't add up here. The push buttons energise inputs to the E16-01F encoder that then send a signal to the TDA5100 transmitter as a frequency set by the NX5032SD crystal. Unless they added an S.E.P field I cannot se how this thing could ever receive, store or act upon a code, so it can't be programed. any programing would be on the car. So how would the car know that its a second hand transmitter or a new one?

 

Any thoughts?

[Old Mosher]

Successful repair on the solder joint so my old remote is working again. But as if I can get my hands on an old remote I'll see if I can get it to work on my car.

[paul.h]

From old posts it must be about 4 years since you first posted about the remote not working - so your persistance has finally paid off and there was no need to give Citroen a large pile of cash.

 

I will edit the title a bit to reflect repairing your remote since it gives hope to others and I have included it in the Common Problems topic.

[Old Mosher]

Crikey is it that long! Ok edit as much as you like. I haven't a clue how to edit my waffle, so if you can trim it t something useful for others that's great.

 

I'll carry on experimenting and if I discover anything useful I'll post them up as a how to with photos.

 

Would a "photo how to" disable traffic master and my fix for the passenger side heater flap motor with a dremel and a roll pin be of use?

[paul.h]

The other how tos would be good. There are already some on fixes for the heater flaps and yours will help add to them - there are links to these on the Common Problems topic on heater problems which may help you.