Locked in my MG4 & unable to escape - Serious Safety Issue

[WalkingBootWeather]

I've recently replaced the key fob battery for my Insignia

Sounds like a reasonable swap...

 

[siteguru]

You should be on the stage ...... to Deadwood.

 

[Deleted member 9909]

I wonder if anyone with mg4 keyless entry can help. Do you have to press the door button to unlock and subsequently lock the car? (not pure proximity unlock and lock)

If yes I believe that lock method activates anti theft.

Therefore could someone else sit in the car (passenger), then the driver lock the car using the button on the door and walk away some distance and establish if the passenger can get out the car (the alarm should go off during this test!) successfully?

It would be good to know for future reference.

Keyless Locking
After the vehicle is stopped, all doors can be locked simply
by pressing the button on the front door handle once (no
need to press the lock button on the remote key) when
closing the doors and leaving the vehicle, and then the
vehicle will enter the anti-theft alarm state.
Keyless Unlocking
Press the button on the front door handle once to unlock
the vehicle, then pull the door handle to open the door.
Note: When the vehicle is locked, if you are within
the smart key range and operate the door handle
button,but carry out no further action, after 30
seconds the vehicle will automatically re-lock itself to
remain secure.



Alan

 

[Gem10]

There is info in the manual which may help in these situations.

View attachment 12321

Emergency measures if the key fob does not work. May help someone trapped in the car or needing to drive the car when the key fob battery is low.
The car's antenna for the key fob is just under the middle storage box (see post above).

 

[Deleted member 9909]

Agreed it may help and that is perhaps what the sales person did not do on the test drive. In a situation where the car locked and this didn't work then what

Is there any other way to get out except using the tight squeeze through the boot

I am interested in how it activates in the first place (as per above) and if there are no other escape options?

Alan

 

[Gem10]

Just thought.... may not work but worth a try.

If someone is trapped inside the car they could activate the Transit mode. The doors should unlock in this mode.......in theory.

• Activate the left indicator
• Press the break pedal 3 times in quick succession

 

[Deleted member 9909]

Gem10 do you know if it needs power to activate this mode?

Helpful but perhaps we would need an emergency card similar to aircraft and point out to our passengers...in the event of an emergency activate the.....?

Alan

 

[Les burrows]

I had a test drive yesterday in MG4 SE. The salesman drove initially and when we stopped to change driver, he said the car was showing a key error. At this point all the doors were locked and the alarm sounder started. We couldn’t open the doors and he was unable to get the car to recognise the key moving it around the cabin also he was unable to move the car.
At this point he rang the showroom and got his colleague to bring out the spare key as we’d only gone a short distance.
Has anyone had a similar issue as he claimed he thought this problem had affected a small number of cars.
One thought I did have does the car have an unlock button anywhere?
I‘m new to electric cars and my 12 yr old car doesn’t have the same tech.
Thanks

Hi Wilma when the salesman’s colleague arrived with the spare key How was the car then opened, what I mean is did he just press the button on the handle or the car outside as in the keyless locking method or,
Did he use the key fob button to unlock the car and open the doors,
or did he have to use the mechanical key blade you don’t actually say how the car was opened to get you out.

In your case you where as you say only a short distance away from the spare key had you been miles away well I don’t see how you could open the car
A fine this a bit worrying as this is a demo car so is new and the battery in the key has gone dead !!!?in such a short time !!.
I have noticed in the passed with other cars when you look at service booklets there is sometimes a tick box for key batteries that should be changed at service but that is only once a year or so.

I agree with Alb #08 above this could well be a serious situation to be in.

Also that suggestion made by Amdmad #17 is very good and one that manufactures should take on board, especially cars that have wireless charging in them.
Or maybe fit a mini USB connection in the key fob so the key batteries can be recharged while driving the car then the batteries should never run flat good point Amdmad ?

Umm worrying, could well be a issue with safety if your stuck in the car and can’t even move it as well which is what Alan has pointed out even with the key blade there is no way to start the car on the MG4 #14+#16 he also said his currant car what ever that is, gives a warning that the key batteries or low, does the MG do this does anyone know ?
Having now asked that question I suppose it must not warn you the key batteries are low otherwise why did the salesman not change them on his demo car.
Umm
Worrying for sure will be out shopping tomorrow for a couple of spare CR2032 batteries, not been such a good first month in the life of the MG4 has it, what with Oil leaks and now this possible issue.

So now having learned from the Oil Leak thread that MG Motors do not engage with public forums such as this care of there Mr Gary Smart as he as pointed out in his emails to some owners it appears only the dealers will have the answers to some of these question so

I’m sorry but Miles Roberts CG could you please look into this and perhaps speak to MG motors at Longbridge on the forum s behalf about this possibly very serious problem and possible Safety issue that it could become in certain conditions.
Thank you.
Les

 

[Les burrows]

Agreed it may help and that is perhaps what the sales person did not do on the test drive. In a situation where the car locked and this didn't work then what

Is there any other way to get out except using the tight squeeze through the boot

I am interested in how it activates in the first place (as per above) and if there are no other escape options?

Alan

Just thought.... may not work but worth a try.

If someone is trapped inside the car they could activate the Transit mode. The doors should unlock in this mode.......in theory.

I will give these a go in the morning and report back.
Les

 

[Wilma]

Hi Wilma when the salesman’s colleague arrived with the spare key How was the car then opened, what I mean is did he just press the button on the handle or the car outside as in the keyless locking method or,
Did he use the key fob button to unlock the car and open the doors,
or did he have to use the mechanical key blade you don’t actually say how the car was opened to get you out.

In your case you where as you say only a short distance away from the spare key had you been miles away well I don’t see how you could open the car
A fine this a bit worrying as this is a demo car so is new and the battery in the key has gone dead !!!?in such a short time !!.
I have noticed in the passed with other cars when you look at service booklets there is sometimes a tick box for key batteries that should be changed at service but that is only once a year or so.

I agree with Alb #08 above this could well be a serious situation to be in.

Also that suggestion made by Amdmad #17 is very good and one that manufactures should take on board, especially cars that have wireless charging in them.
Or maybe fit a mini USB connection in the key fob so the key batteries can be recharged while driving the car then the batteries should never run flat good point Amdmad ?

Umm worrying, could well be a issue with safety if your stuck in the car and can’t even move it as well which is what Alan has pointed out even with the key blade there is no way to start the car on the MG4 #14+#16 he also said his currant car what ever that is, gives a warning that the key batteries or low, does the MG do this does anyone know ?
Having now asked that question I suppose it must not warn you the key batteries are low otherwise why did the salesman not change them on his demo car.
Umm
Worrying for sure will be out shopping tomorrow for a couple of spare CR2032 batteries, not been such a good first month in the life of the MG4 has it, what with Oil leaks and now this possible issue.

So now having learned from the Oil Leak thread that MG Motors do not engage with public forums such as this care of there Mr Gary Smart as he as pointed out in his emails to some owners it appears only the dealers will have the answers to some of these question so I’m sorry but Miles Roberts CG could you please look into this and perhaps speak to MG motors at Longbridge on the forum s behalf about this possibly very serious problem and possible Safety issue that it could become in certain conditions.
Thank you.
Les

Hi Les, I was in the back seat during the test drive so couldn’t see how the car was opened with the spare key whether he used the unlock button or the car recognised the close proximity of the spare key. The mechanical key wasn’t used.
I couldn’t see the key error message so not sure when this appeared, whether this was when we stopped or when we were moving.

 

[Deleted member 9909]

MG5 gives some warning

Replacing the Key Battery
Please use the picture guide to replace the key battery if
any of the following conditions occur:
• The effective operating range of the key is significantly
reduced;
• The vehicle immobilisation warning lamp on the
instrument pack flashes (Refer to "Warning Lights and
Indicators" in "Instruments and Controls" section)

Alan

 

[Deltasix]

This is really worrying.
Did you find out what caused the problem?
Was it the key fob or the car?

So far it is still with the dealer waiting for a reply from MG. I suspect its not the key, but a communication error between the car and the fob/s. When the car had the issue while I was driving, I had both keys in the car as I was taking it back to the dealer.

What I did notice is that when the invalid key symbol appeared, I had no control over the windows while moving and seemed none of the electronics would respond, I put the window down to clear the moisture and couldn't bring it back up. This was fortunate as when I stopped I leaned out of the window to open the door with the mechanical key.

When it activated what I assume is its theft response, I tried to unlock the car and stop the alarm with both keys while inside with no luck. It only stopped after I got the door open mechanically.

I'm not familiar with the legalities of its anti theft response, but it does not seem like it would be legal to lock anyone in a vehicle regardless of intent. I would much rather the car let out a thief in the event it stopped instead of it locking them in, which would more than likely cause damage internally as they tried to escape.

 

[Deleted member 9909]

I'm not familiar with the legalities of its anti theft response, but it does not seem like it would be legal to lock anyone in a vehicle regardless of intent. I would much rather the car let out a thief in the event it stopped instead of it locking them in, which would more than likely cause damage internally as they tried to escape.

Hence the reason on my cars keyless system it has to be a deliberate action (double press on fob key lock symbol) to ensure the manufacturer cannot be libel (think USA) and it is down to the individuals responsibility. My concern is that the MG4 does this will no such individual deliberate action safeguard hence we need to double check. Also to ensure auto lock is not enabled as a precaution.

Alan

 

[Ian Key]

Random thought. Was the key placed on the phone charging pad, assuming it was a Trophy. The manual says:
Note: If your car is equipped with induction-type wireless charging function, always keep the key more than 20 cm away from the mobile phone which is being charged to prevent the key from the interference of wireless charging device

 

[Deltasix]

Random thought. Was the key placed on the phone charging pad, assuming it was a Trophy. The manual says:
Note: If your car is equipped with induction-type wireless charging function, always keep the key more than 20 cm away from the mobile phone which is being charged to prevent the key from the interference of wireless charging device

No they were both in the central console area. Also it is an SE, the charging pad not installed.

 

[tom]

I was locked in my MG4 SE today with three small children after making a 10min journey and parking the car.
Luckily I was able to ring road side assistance and my Dad from my car. My Dad brought our spare key, so the AA were able to open to door using the mechanical key option, after us being in a misty car for an hour!
Ringing MG tomorrow. Very worrying

 

[Gem10]

I was locked in my MG4 SE today with three small children after making a 10min journey and parking the car.
Luckily I was able to ring road side assistance and my Dad from my car. My Dad brought our spare key, so the AA were able to open to door using the mechanical key option, after us being in a misty car for an hour!
Ringing MG tomorrow. Very worrying

That is very worrying.
Did the spare key also not work?
Is it the car or key fob that is the issue? Let us know what MG say.

 

[tom]

Yes the remote fob I had inside the car did not work and when the spare arrived (never used) that wouldn't either. Once the AA opened the door mechanically, everything worked again. I have checked the batteries, they are fine and both fobs open/close/drive the car normally now.
It was quite strange. It begin with the 'circular P button' not working after I reversed into a parking space on a slight incline, then also the 'P switch' wouldn't work. The car was literally rolling back when I took my foot off the brake. Luckily one tyre stopped the car on a kerb. Then the P switch worked, the car went into Neutral, but then no doors/windows would open from inside. When I tried to press the fob or use the central locking switch on the driver's door, the alarm sounded! Really embarrassing! The car became surrounded by worried onlookers and we couldn't get out (I didn't know about the boot escape option). I tried to get the car back into drive/reverse but the 'circular control switch' wouldn't work. The displays were all on showing the car in N and running. The car battery was at 74%. I had just got the car working with iSMART last night, so I tried to open the car using the APP also but again it wouldn't work, saying the vehicle had to be 'turned off' in order to unlock it. My wife says she won't drive the car now for fear of it happening to her.

 

[tom]

I forgot to mention, I had left my phone in a bag in the boot! At first I thought I had no way of contacting anyone, but then I climbed over the seats (and children) to see if I could pull the rear seats down and access my bag, which I fortunately could. If I had forgotten my phone and really don't know how I would have got out.
Also if I didn't have a spare key the AA man would have had to break into the car/ smash a window which would have left an expensive repair bill.

 

[Ian Key]

This is more worrying than any of the other problems with the car.

Can those who have had this misfortune not only contact their dealers but also email MG Customer Services with all the details from how you opened the car to what signs the car was showing that something was wrong.