MG 4 car fob dead! Help!!

[keith781]

MG 4 car fob dead! Help!

Help! I’m stranded in France with my MG4, with a key fob that no longer works. I have changed the battery in the car fob (it seems to be correct - got it from a watch shop as garage was closed) and yet it still doesn’t work.
The fob for some reason didn’t come with a key inside. So no luck there either.
Try to unlock the car remotely but app is unable to connect.
I plan to contact MG in France Monday. Second key is in the uk ??. Will it be a key fob issue or maybe something else? Does the MG4 have an auxiliary battery? Any advice welcome ?

 

[Coulomb]

Does the MG4 have an auxiliary battery?

Yes, every EV has an auxiliary battery. Of course, it will be under the bonnet, where you can't get to it without a key. But maybe an after hours locksmith can get you physically into the car.

Have you tried opening the driver's door (also try the passenger's) with the fob very close to the door handle? Or maybe right against the window? It may be that you are in an area with high radio frequency power (e.g. a mobile phone tower), and that may be drowning out the key fob's signal.

It's possible that the battery from the watch shop may be old and weak. You can usually buy them in supermarkets or bargain type stores (the latter may be of dubious quality as well). You might also have the too-thin watch cell, e.g. CR2016 (1.6 mm thick) instead of CR2032 (3.2 mm thick). The too-thin cell might not make proper contact, or perhaps not have enough oomph to send a radio signal burst.

 

[keith781]

Thank you very much for your reply/comments. Very helpful .
We had a break down man come out, but he was unable to gain entry to the car, despite his best efforts.
I will definitely check the battery is the right thickness and your tip about putting the key close to the door etc in a moment.
So could the cars auxiliary battery be flat? And if so I guess even getting my second key from the uk ??( this will take more time) could be possibly be pointless?
Entry to the car seems to be the way forward to access the auxiliary battery. Where is the auxiliary battery exactly located under the bonnet? Would it need to be replaced and if so is it an easy task that anyone could do? Or best left to an MG Specialist? Or could it be recharged to get me home at least?
Thank you again - any comments most welcome ?

Yes, every EV has an auxiliary battery. Of course, it will be under the bonnet, where you can't get to it without a key. But maybe an after hours locksmith can get you physically into the car.

Have you tried opening the driver's door (also try the passenger's) with the fob very close to the door handle? Or maybe right against the window? It may be that you are in an area with high radio frequency power (e.g. a mobile phone tower), and that may be drowning out the key fob's signal.

It's possible that the battery from the watch shop may be old and weak. You can usually buy them in supermarkets or bargain type stores (the latter may be of dubious quality as well). You might also have the too-thin watch cell, e.g. CR2016 (1.6 mm thick) instead of CR2032 (3.2 mm thick). The too-thin cell might not make proper contact, or perhaps not have enough oomph to send a radio signal burst.

Thank you very much for your reply and suggestions. The battery fitted into the fob is a new one and is the correct type. I have just tried it right next to the door, but unfortunately to no avail.

A car mechanic came out and tried to gain access to the car but with no luck. I am now waiting MG Dealership in Amien France ?? to open on Monday (tomorrow)

Gaining access to the car to get access to the auxiliary battery seems imperative?

Sorry, some more questions….
Where exactly is the auxiliary battery located under the bonnet? Can it be easily changed or is it a MG specialised job?
Can the auxiliary battery be charged up temporarily so that I can get back to the uk ?? at least?
Is there any point in getting my spare key send out from the uk if the auxiliary battery is dead and therefore maybe unable to respond to the keys signal? That said, hopefully the spare key would have a physical key inside? And if so would this give me access to the car and so to auxiliary battery?

I am not sure what the alternatives are …

Any comments most welcome ? ?

 

[Ian Key]

Have you taken out additional breakdown cover for Europe?

Sounds like the 12V battery under the bonnet has gone flat for some reason. Hopefully someone can open the bonnet and charge the battery for you.

 

[keith781]

Thank you for your reply: yes I have additional European cover. Electric cars seem to be frowned on in France.. it seems that the car will be shipped back to the uk. Not great, but hey how I’m pleased that I have this cover!
I was wondering though have to mitigate this risk occurring again for all drivers.. any ideas?

 

[Martinonline]

Assuming it was the 12V battery going flat, reported many times:

1. Carry the physical key to get access to the car to open the bonnet, and

2. Carry a battery booster, recommendations in other threads. These are small, I carry mine in the central storage along with a little hammer.

 

[Tig170]

Did this get resolved? (I went to as far a checking my keys)

 

[fnegroni]

Did the Bluetooth key not connect?

 

[siteguru]

If it was a dead 12V battery then BT key wouldn't work.

 

[keith781]

Hey .. update to all. So travelled back to the UK, via Eurostar to pick up spare key. Thankfully the insurance company picked up and travel bill. And more importantly the second car fob had a skeleton key.
Returned back to France and the physical key opened the car door (YouTube if in doubt) and I then charged up the auxiliary battery.
After a short time the car came alive again, much to my relief and joy.
So, folks, if nothing else please check that your key fob has a physical key! .
This has probably been reported many times before, but I have used this forum until the issue arose.
Thank you all for your help .. much appreciated. I just wish you could buy a MG4 with a sunroof.. what do you think?
From one now happy bunny! ?

 

[NickL]

MG 4 car fob dead! Help!

Help! I’m stranded in France with my MG4, with a key fob that no longer works. I have changed the battery in the car fob (it seems to be correct - got it from a watch shop as garage was closed) and yet it still doesn’t work.
The fob for some reason didn’t come with a key inside. So no luck there either.
Try to unlock the car remotely but app is unable to connect.
I plan to contact MG in France Monday. Second key is in the uk ??. Will it be a key fob issue or maybe something else? Does the MG4 have an auxiliary battery? Any advice welcome ?

To stop children swallowing button cells some manufacturers put a coating on them that tastes awful. It might be worth scraping the contact surfaces with a knife.

 

[Ian Key]

Hey .. update to all. So travelled back to the UK, via Eurostar to pick up spare key. Thankfully the insurance company picked up and travel bill. And more importantly the second car fob had a skeleton key.
Returned back to France and the physical key opened the car door (YouTube if in doubt) and I then charged up the auxiliary battery.
After a short time the car came alive again, much to my relief and joy.
So, folks, if nothing else please check that your key fob has a physical key! .
This has probably been reported many times before, but I have used this forum until the issue arose.
Thank you all for your help .. much appreciated. I just wish you could buy a MG4 with a sunroof.. what do you think?
From one now happy bunny! ?

I'm glad you got it sorted.

You need three things on your shopping list:

1. A physical key for the fob without one
2. A silicone fob cover to stop the newly acquired key disappearing https://amzn.eu/d/ffXs5wH
3. A lithium car battery booster pack https://amzn.eu/d/9sWpDQj