Cannot manually unlock door using physical key

[boyracer]

Hi everyone. Just bought my first MG4. All was going well until I tried the old-fashioned, physical key that's included in the radio key fob. I can't turn it far enough to trigger a full unlock, and don't like to force it. (Indeed, the flimsy pivoted cross-piece at the end looks as if it would break if I forced it.)

It does unlock the door (I heard it activate) but does not disable the alarm or unfold the wing mirrors or anything else .. so when I open the door the alarm goes off!

Anyone else have this problem?

 

[webhiker]

It's a physical key, not a flimsy electric one.
Turn it like we did last century

 

[boyracer]

It's a flimsy physical key. Last century they made them properly.

 

[mg4]

What alarm do you have? Usually the default you can buy the MG4 with is simply start 'engine' blocking, so to me it sounds like a problem with the aftermarket alarm system?

 

[boyracer]

Well it's true that the alarm is not disabled as it should be, but when I turn the key, it doesn't unfold the wing mirrors or turn the lights on either. So I suspect it's simply not turning far enough to make the right contacts within the key mechanism.

 

[Kithmo]

Well it's true that the alarm is not disabled as it should be, but when I turn the key, it doesn't unfold the wing mirrors or turn the lights on either. So I suspect it's simply not turning far enough to make the right contacts within the key mechanism.

That's right, the physical key is only meant to open the door, there's no connection to the mirrors or lights. You have to get (sit) in to turn the car on with the normal key (fob).
Every car I've had with remote control unlocking has been the same, unlock the car with the physical key and the alarm goes off until you turn it on, on older cars this was by turning the key in the ignition switch.

 

[boyracer]

I didn't realise that. But the point of the physical key is as a backup if the remote control is not working, and if the remote doesn't work, I wonder how I turn the alarm off ...

 

[boyracer]

I will try getting in, ignoring the deafening alarm, and placing my fob on the key sensor pad underneath the arm rest. I will then press the brake pedal, and see if the alarm stops!

Thank-you for your help.

 

[Martinonline]

You do not have to put the key in the centre arm rest, it will usually be detected on your person. The centre console position is if you have a weak fob battery.

In respect of the mechanical key, the only references to it I've seen posted is when the 12V battery fails (and so the alarm will not sound) and you need to lift the bonnet.

Others have found it very stiff and there is a YouTube video showing how to use it.

 

[Ian Key]

I didn't realise that. But the point of the physical key is as a backup if the remote control is not working, and if the remote doesn't work, I wonder how I turn the alarm off ...

The physical key is for emergency access to the cabin if the 12v battery has gone flat.
If the remote control/key-fob isn't working then the car won't start as it needs the signal from it or your phone (if you've set up the keyless start).

 

[mg4mc]

I thought that was one situation where you would use the physical key (flat fob battery). The fob will work with a flat battery if you place it on the key pad. It uses some inductive charge to power it enough to get it to send the code - or that's the theory, I've never tried it!

 

[Kithmo]

Alternatively, if the key fob battery is flat, use the app to open and start the car.
As a matter of interest, do you not have a spare key fob ?

 

[boyracer]

I do have a spare fob, but keep it at home. I would like a backup way of locking and unlocking the car when I have driven somewhere, should the key fob not work for some reason (radio interference?).

 

[Kithmo]

I do have a spare fob, but keep it at home. I would like a backup way of locking and unlocking the car when I have driven somewhere, should the key fob not work for some reason (radio interference?).

Use the app.

 

[boyracer]

I don't have a smartphone at the moment, but will obviously have to get one!

 

[Kithmo]

I don't have a smartphone at the moment, but will obviously have to get one!

Do you have an Android tablet ?

 

[boyracer]

No, I have an iPad. I will be getting myself an Android phone in due course - I need a smartphone not only for MG iSmart but also ZapMap and to control my Ohme recharger. And for other things - I was holding out but have finally admitted that they are useful.

 

[siteguru]

Does your iPad support Bluetooth? If yes then it could work (with the iSmart app on it) as a Digital Key to unlock/lock the car, and even to be able to start and drive the car.

But carrying a smartphone is easier than carrying an iPad.

 

[DixieTGS]

Interesting. On previous cars I've always had a spare mechanical key hidden under the car somewhere, and I was going to get round to doing that for the MG sometime as I frequently go out without a phone on me. It has saved me a lot of time and money on a couple of occasions over the years due to losing the key or having it stolen.

This thread has made me realise that if I do find a good spot to keep a spare key, I will also need to make sure my old phone always lives in the MG, that it has iSmart installed on it, and I keep ear plugs in the car. Thanks.

 

[Ian Key]

This thread has made me realise that if I do find a good spot to keep a spare key, I will also need to make sure my old phone always lives in the MG, that it has iSmart installed on it, and I keep ear plugs in the car. Thanks.

If you do hide the spare in the car make sure it's in a Faraday pouch.