A cautionary tale for MG 4 EV owners

[Martinonline]

I thought RFID devices had limited range. I can place my keyfob 1m away and still unlock the car using the door handle button. At 2m it will not work.

 

[salty]

Keep it in your pocket, job done, simple's.

 

[Kithmo]

The first keyless entry car I had, a Prius, stated in the manual to keep the keys away from Phones, credit cards and any other gizmos with NFC.

 

[OriginalBigAl]

@OriginalBigAl, the MG 4 manual says it is sensitive electronic equipment with all the usual precautions. But go on to say, keep the keyfob away from sources of possible interference when its in the car so that it's operation isn't affected, and in particular the wireless phone charge pad area in the Trophy if it has a phone on charge.

I was thinking more out of the car as opposed to the interior. Where you keep the key in the house , would a microwave oven or other electrical device be strong enough to affect it adversely. Out and about the afore mentioned shop till areas , electrical transformers , welding sets and the like. (especially if its in a nearby pocket).
Its amazing how many welders have been divorced after arriving home 4hrs late from work smelling of alcohol and cheap perfume saying " sorry dear car won't start "

 

[Tuareg]

The first keyless entry car I had, a Prius, stated in the manual to keep the keys away from Phones, credit cards and any other gizmos with NFC.

My keyless fobs (for 2 cars and 2 motorcycles) are kept in the same pocket, in the same rucksack as my credit cards and phone. Zero issues for years doing so.

 

[Anon70]

Did you try to put the key in the "alternative starting location" (bottom of the storage compartment between the front seats). This is supposed to work when the key battery is low.

 

[Susanna]

lol I got mine before I got the car

Me too!

 

[fnegroni]

I had this happen to me before. Luckily I had the Bluetooth key configured.
It happened when my car was valet parked in a London Underground car park and the car was left unlocked with the keys on the seat and I operated the ISMART app remotely to lock it and unlock it.
At the time I thought This caused the car to think the key had been forgotten and the car stolen and basically would not recognise the key any more. After a day or so that key was recognised again.

 

[goose]

Doesn't sound like key fob failure to me.

Sounds like the car got into an inconsistent state and the 12V disconnect fixed it.

We had a few of these kinds of incidents reported early on with the MG4, but it seems like software updates have mostly eradicated the problem.

Has this car had any updates since new?

Yes it has

 

[goose]

There is also the option to use iSmart to unlock/lock etc.

True, but only if Ismart is working

 

[goose]

Hmmm, I'm not convinced, the fob battery read 2.99v. That should at least have worked in the emergency position.
I suspect it was the reconnection of the 12v battery that did the trick.

Maybe, but all I can say is that I saw the AA guy test the battery from the key fob and it did read 2.99. So not sure what else to say as I don't understand why this happened at all. But I do hope others take precautions just in case they find themselves in a similar predicament!

 

[Tuareg]

True, but only if Ismart is working

Why don't you have iSmart 'working'? It's the first thing I installed and activated when I bought my car. It's a great back up for the physical key and has some very nice features providing the status of the car, including charging level.

 

[goose]

Because the system went off (for me anyway) for a number of days. I did report it to Ismart and funnily enough it came back on about 3 days after this incident. If you read my first post again you will see that I made mention of it there.

 

[Bam Bam]

Good idea to get the digital key working - I should do that.

I have a feeling that my key buttons aren't opening the car from as far away and as reliably as they used to. Perhaps a sign that the battery is running low for a car less than two years old.

Perhaps given the way the key has numerous roles the batteries don't last long as they used to on our older ICE cars.

How long has it taken others before their key battery needed replacing?

 

[decrep]

I saw the AA guy test the battery from the key fob and it did read 2.99.

2.99v for a 3v isn't too bad. I'd have done more testing before blaming it and replacing it.

 

[Susanna]

@goose I came across this in the manual for the ZS about a warning of low battery in the key fob. Not sure if the MG4 has the same?

 

[Kithmo]

Good idea to get the digital key working - I should do that.

I have a feeling that my key buttons aren't opening the car from as far away and as reliably as they used to. Perhaps a sign that the battery is running low for a car less than two years old.

Perhaps given the way the key has numerous roles the batteries don't last long as they used to on our older ICE cars.

How long has it taken others before their key battery needed replacing?

The second service on most keyless entry vehicles includes key fob battery change, so they should last at least two years.

 

[Tuareg]

@goose I came across this in the manual for the ZS about a warning of low battery in the key fob. Not sure if the MG4 has the same?

Key fob low battery warning is displayed on the screen.
From the MG4 owners manual:

 

[goose]

Did you try to put the key in the "alternative starting location" (bottom of the storage compartment between the front seats). This is supposed to work when the key battery is low.

View attachment 36510

Yes, both I and the AA chap tried this

 

[goose]

@goose I came across this in the manual for the ZS about a warning of low battery in the key fob. Not sure if the MG4 has the same?

Yes, the light came on as the car was refusing to start