Shitty holden keys, not happy

[TezVX]

Hey guys, here's the story so far.

Few months ago.....
My only key got salt water in it.
Tryed to unlock car and start.. no joy.
Had car towed to holden.
They told me BCM was fryed and new key required.
$500 odd later drive out of holden with new key, BCM and lease on life.

Last couple of months.
Key getting progressively worse to the point where it doesn't work more often then not, have to unlock car with manual key turn! (reaks of effort hey).
Get the shits call holden book it in to get checked out.

They tell me autolec checks out car everything all good but the Sun Sensor in the middle of the dash could be playing up. *Mite* need replacement.
$120 drive out of holden..... not real confident but at least they washed my car for me.

Later that day, unlock car, move it ten feet, get out try to lock it. No ****ing good have to lock it manually...... Deep breaths..... NOT ****ING HAPPY!

will call holden tommorow. Any idea's in the mean time???

Thanks guys, going for a drink.
Tez VX

[danja]

Why would you get a new BCM if you dropped the key in water?

Why not just get a new key programmed?

Oh well, bit late now I suppose

[pablo]

Those key heads are sealed with an 'o' ring running around the perimeter then glued shut. Can't see any moisture getting inside.
Keep us informed of the outcome tomorrow.

[Holdens Rule]

Here's an idea for you, don't get salt water in the key.
Sorry couldn't resist.

[TezVX]

They reckon my faulty key fried the bcm,
the buttons were worn away exposing the circuitry.

TezVX

[hakhawk]

curious as to how you got salt water in it enough to damage it

[commsirac]

Pardon my ignorance, but what has the sun sensor got to do with the key and locking logic?

[Scooter79]

Pardon my ignorance, but what has the sun sensor got to do with the key and locking logic?

That's what I'm wondering.

[accentstencil]

Pardon my ignorance, but what has the sun sensor got to do with the key and locking logic?

I think the remote sensor (receiver) is also part of the sun sensor.

They reckon my faulty key fried the bcm,
the buttons were worn away exposing the circuitry.

TezVX

That sounds like a load of crap, I don't see how that would be possible. The key would either work or not work, it wouldn't send a short circuit signal.

[ScoHar]

just for future, I keep a small screwdriver in the car when I go surfing and take the key part out of the head and just take key with me. Safer than getting elecs wet but you have to put up with using the key instead.

[Mick1988]

That's a load of crap. I think they're looking for faults that aren't even relevant.

[acarmody]

That sounds like a load of crap, I don't see how that would be possible. The key would either work or not work, it wouldn't send a short circuit signal.

I could just imagine the dying key head sending out the signal "Die you damn BCM DIE".

Sorry couldn't help myself.

[Astranomical]

Pardon my ignorance, but what has the sun sensor got to do with the key and locking logic?

Dumb question...but do Execs even have the sun sensor? I thought it was only the more upmarket models that had it, for either climate control or the feature that makes the lights come on automatically when it gets dark.

[danja]

Dumb question...but do Execs even have the sun sensor? I thought it was only the more upmarket models that had it, for either climate control or the feature that makes the lights come on automatically when it gets dark.

They do. I remember coming across it in my VT and being surprised that the pov spec had it, because obviously it was just standard aircon.

[jsgvup]

HAHAHAHA someone saw you coming... lol... yes salt water will fry electronic components in you key... but that won't stop good old fashion manual entry... that goes for start up as well... i don't see why you had to get it towed at all...

or could it be your a robot and your sojourn in the salt water was just as bad? and yeah the execs have a sun sensor, its just not wired to the lights as they don't have that fancy auto feature the top rangers do

[TezVX]

After i tryed to unlock the car with my faulty key, yes i worked out you can insert it into that key lock looking thing (i think my old gemini had a couple of em) i started the engine and it proceeded to turn off by itself after about 3 secs. It did this about 4 times before it stopped starting altogether. This could have been the point where the BCM got fried. Therefore towing was required.

Im not an idiot, just sick of being dicked around by so called professionals!

Tez VX

[Robbo_c]

HAHAHAHA someone saw you coming... lol... yes salt water will fry electronic components in you key... but that won't stop good old fashion manual entry... that goes for start up as well... i don't see why you had to get it towed at all...

or could it be your a robot and your sojourn in the salt water was just as bad? and yeah the execs have a sun sensor, its just not wired to the lights as they don't have that fancy auto feature the top rangers do

About manual entry when i try it in my car the alarm goes
off so the only way i can get in is with the key pad,i think ive got an aftermarket alarm though.

[commsirac]

HAHAHAHA someone saw you coming... lol... yes salt water will fry electronic components in you key... but that won't stop good old fashion manual entry... that goes for start up as well... i don't see why you had to get it towed at all...

As i understand it, the immobiliser is controlled by the electronics in the key(assume vt has immobiliser) and this part makes electrical contact via the metal ring around the key hole and contact on end of the remote unit

[danja]

After i tryed to unlock the car with my faulty key, yes i worked out you can insert it into that key lock looking thing (i think my old gemini had a couple of em) i started the engine and it proceeded to turn off by itself after about 3 secs. It did this about 4 times before it stopped starting altogether. This could have been the point where the BCM got fried. Therefore towing was required.

As commsirac mentioned, that's the immobiliser kicking in. It's normal for it to turn over a couple of times then not at all. It's not surprising that the water killed the immobiliser components in the key head, it is surprising the key head could have killed the BCM.

I guess you didn't have a spare key to test with?