Electrical system wig out, need ideas..
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 410
Likes: 0
From: Berwick Louisiana
Electrical system wig out, need ideas..
Had something odd happen today on my 20k mi, 08 A6. I pulled up to the gas pump and had to hit the button twice to shut the car down, once killed the engine, but put it in Acc mode (never happened before), the second tap shut it down completely. After gassing up I went to start the car and the DIC said "no fob detected"- fob was in my pocket. So, my wife goes to get out of the car so I can get at the glove box and the doors wont open. She pulls the emergency release, the door opened and the alarm started going off. I hit the fob buttons with no effect so I start hitting the off side of the start button and the alarm shut off. Now the car starts normally and has acted normal since. Anybody have any ideas? The car's going to the dealership tomorrow to have the clicking noise in the rear checked under warranty and I want to have a good direction to point them in on this one.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,711
Likes: 3
From: Middle of No where AK
Ive heard of that happening before. Mine said no fob detected one time only and its never happened again. They arent going to be able to find squat unless the problem is actually occuring when you take it in.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
Was a cellphone inside at the time? If so, was it on a charger? I find that my car doesn't like the cell charger at all and I'll see the no fob message.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
Mobil stations use a special transmitter/receiver for their systems to acquire the little key-chain things that link your account. I can't think what they are called this instant and have no idea if they'll interfere or not.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 410
Likes: 0
From: Berwick Louisiana
There's always as least one phone and sometimes two in the car. My Wife's phone may have been plugged in at the time, I'll ask her.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 410
Likes: 0
From: Berwick Louisiana
Nope not the pumps, I've fill up at that station all the time and I think I even used the same pump last week. I think the cell phone on charge may be the answer, I'll check it in the morning.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
I've started mine and drove off, then get the no fob message even while moving. Some message on the DIC when I go to shut it off that I can't remember this second, but I had not seen it before...something about shutting it down yes or no. No issues at all with cell charger disconnected.
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From: Edgewood Washington
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
RF interference is a well documented problem with the C6's ability to recognize the Fob. Personally I don't think this is a design flaw. There is only so much transmitting power you can pack into the Fob and maintain any kind of battery longevity. Other RF sources can simply overpower the Fob and the car will not detect it.
Unless you carry around an RF Spectrum Analyzer, you are just going to be guessing at where exactly the problem is coming from. Public places like Gas Stations can have many RF sources, even ones created by other drivers/cars nearby.
Your best bet is to put the Fob in the Glove Box slot before you do anything else, including opening passively locked doors. If the problem persists while the car is in an area that has been trouble free in the past, then perhaps a trip to the dealer is in order.
Unless you carry around an RF Spectrum Analyzer, you are just going to be guessing at where exactly the problem is coming from. Public places like Gas Stations can have many RF sources, even ones created by other drivers/cars nearby.
Your best bet is to put the Fob in the Glove Box slot before you do anything else, including opening passively locked doors. If the problem persists while the car is in an area that has been trouble free in the past, then perhaps a trip to the dealer is in order.