Boneheaded Key Question.....

[oldmako]

On my car, the chipped key will not lock, or unlock the drivers or passengers door from the outside. The lock cylinder will turn a quarter or so forward and aft (CW and CCW for those of you who like big letters) But, the ONLY way to ingress my mobile is to use the fob. Now, that just can't be right and according to the Infin Owners Manual, its not. The key is 'posed to be unlockin dem doors and what not.

Now, either I have one tricked out Q, or I have one Dorked up one. I am leaning toward the latter.

My question is as follows....

Just what the hell is going on with my ride? One day that fob is going to crap out and with my luck I will be in Afghanistan or Moghadishu or some other exotic spot like that. Or, my Batt will shinola the bed and the electric door locks will thusly be inoply.

I want my key to unlock my door. Is that too much to ask (ax)?

So, would one or more of you really smart dudes point me in the right direction?

[Q451990]

Is it possible that your ignition switch was replaced, and you don't have the correct key for the doors and trunk? Does the key work in your trunk lock?

Heath

[oldmako]

Sorry to be such a dolt. I meant to add that the key will open the trunk.
And, I am reasonably certain that in the past I was able to open the door with the key. But, I am such a lazy slob that I generally prefer to aim the fob at it and point. Does this reflect poorly on my overall comportment and demeanor? Inquiring minds want to know.

[Q451990]

After driving the wife's G with the keyless ignition switch my "comportment and demeanor" is probably worse than yours. I'll get in to the Q, having remote started it, and then hit the brake pedal - hand on the shifter to put it in gear - and the car shuts down. Key in pocket...

My guess is that the door lock actuator is "fighting" you from turning the key for some reason. There are some posts about bad door lock timers and such - but I didn't see anything particular to the 97-01 Q45. The factory service manual goes in to a good bit of detail starting on EL-305. I wonder if you disable the power locks completely (by pulling a fuse) if it will turn?

It might also be worth trying the easy stuff first and spraying some lock graphite lube into the cylinder.

Heath

[oldmako]

Thanks Heath,

When I return from my travels I will re-jizz the locks. But, the key will rotate from 12 to 10 and from 12 to 2, so I don't think its the lock(s) itself. But your suggestion on depowering them makes sense to me and I will try that when I get home.

Years ago I had a non chipped key made and it operated the door locks perfectly. It would also rotate in the steering column cylinder and the car would start, but the theft deterrent system would not allow the car to run more than five seconds or so. So, I KNOW the locks worked. Since the key didn't do anything else, I tossed it in a drawer somewhere. I will also try to find that key and see if it will work.

Mr Beam is helping me with my C&D while in Orlando for the evening

[Q451990]

I suspect Mr. Beam is a good friend to many of us Q owners...

[oldmako]

Back in my hovel, fake key recovered. Fake key will open trunk. Alas, it will not open either door.

So, my thoughts are as follows;
1) Place fresh battery in the key fob. Without it, I am dead. Well not DEAD, but not driving the Qbomb anywhere. Likewise, I am also dead if the car batt should go flat. This is a serious issue. Because I won't be able to get in the car and pop the hood to jump it. Is this d!ck up or what?

2) Obtain second key fob as a backup and leave it locked up in the trunk. If Fob Numero Uno should crap out, I can use the key to access the spare in the trunk.

But, when I program the second Fob, will it d!ck up the electrono-diaphanose-gozintas between Fob number 1 and the car? IOW, I need TWO fobs that the car recognizes.

There are days, and this may be one of them, when I wish I had my 1969 442 back.

[Q451990]

More Beam will make it better.

Any luck disconnecting the electrical to the locks to see if it's the door lock actuator that's fighting you vs. a mere mechanical issue with the lock cylinder?

Heath

[oldmako]

Had to work, so not yet. This week hopefully. Will advise.