Dead Key Fob + Red Blinking Light -- Help!

[Tux]

I have a Maserati GranSport Coupe (2004)

This morning the key was working fine (unlocked doors, unlocked boot, lights blinked). Then suddenly:

1) Key fob stops working -- can not unlock doors or boot. No head/tail lights flashing when pressed.
2) The red light keeps blinking in the front panel (I believe this is the 'armed' light).

I've done the following without success
1) Turned off the battery, waited 15 minutes, turned on.
2) Opened all the doors/boot, tried to press the unlock on the fob.
3) Closed the doors/boot and manually locked them, then pressed the unlock on the fob
4) Tried to press the unlock on the fob while the key was inserted into the driver side lock
5) Tried to press the unlock on the fob while the key was inserted into the ignition
6) Tried to press the unlock on the fob while the key was in the ignition and the car was running.

I have a backup key which was not working (electronically) for some time. I changed the battery and it still does not unlock the boot or cause the front/rear lights to blink. (It's as if it is dead).

I started the engine and drove home (about 40km, staying under 100km and never in gear 4+). It didn't cause any problems. (Not sure if the immobilizer should have done something or not).

So my questions are:
1) Does swapping out the battery on a key fob break the fob? (I.e. it needs to be recoded?)
2) Anyone have any idea why I could drive so far with the red light blinking?
3) Anyone know what I need to do to fix the keys/immobilizer so they work correctly?


All help greatly appreciated!

Thank you.!

 

[CatmanV2]

OK
1) No, but see point 3
2) So the immobiliser is a totally separate system from the alarm / door locks. As long as you have a key with a correctly recognised transponder chip in it, the car will start and drive as normal.
3) There are a couple of options. Double press the the lock / unlock button. If you're inadvertently pressed it too many times out of range of the car, this will reset it. If you have a working key (which right now you don't) you can code a new key to the locks / alarm with it.
Other likely thing is that the switch on your (was working) remote is now not working. I'm assuming you have the blue key with two buttons, so if the boot release won't work either, this is less likely, but if the double press doesn't fix it, pop the case open and see if you've got some obvious damage. *Don't lose the transponder chip which is a tiny piece of black plastic, and very likely to have come adrift of its glue. If you do, the car won't start*

Let us know

C

 

[Tux]

OK
1) No, but see point 3
2) So the immobiliser is a totally separate system from the alarm / door locks. As long as you have a key with a correctly recognised transponder chip in it, the car will start and drive as normal.
3) There are a couple of options. Double press the the lock / unlock button. If you're inadvertently pressed it too many times out of range of the car, this will reset it. If you have a working key (which right now you don't) you can code a new key to the locks / alarm with it.
Other likely thing is that the switch on your (was working) remote is now not working. I'm assuming you have the blue key with two buttons, so if the boot release won't work either, this is less likely, but if the double press doesn't fix it, pop the case open and see if you've got some obvious damage. *Don't lose the transponder chip which is a tiny piece of black plastic, and very likely to have come adrift of its glue. If you do, the car won't start*

Let us know

C

Wow, thanks for the fast reply!
Yes, I was remembering somewhere there is a chip in the key. Since the car drove fine, I suspect the immobilizer will not activate as long as the key is in the ignition.

-- Double pressing the lock/unlock button did nothing.
-- Both keys are blue, I don't' have the other color key (red?)
-- I did pop it open and it looked fine, closed it, and was able to drive fine. But no change in the Locking/Red-Blinking Light

Any other ideas?

 

[CatmanV2]

Immobiliser just looks for the chip, so that's good.

There is no red key for a 4200, but early ones came with black keys and no remote boot release.

Have a closer look at the switches on the circuit board and also the rubber that presses them. This can also degrade. If none of that works, and a new battery (doh) doesn't fix it, then it's dealer time I'm afraid

It's a good idea to make sure that both your keys work to lock / unlock when you're back and running cos in that scenario you can re-code a 'broken' key to the alarm. Without a working one, you're limited to either a specialist (Able Alarms I think have been well regarded) or replacement / dealer fix. Might be too late now.

I just hope it's the switches for you

C

 

[Tux]

Thanks again for the reply, a couple of follow up questions:

1) Is it bad to replace the batteries (does it forget a code?), or should I be able to swap out batteries in the key without having to re-program it?
2) Should I be fine driving around with the red light blinking and just manually locking the doors (or will something bad happen?)
3) If I need to replace/fix the keys, do I need to send the car in as well or just the keys? (not sure if they need it all)

Thank you kindly

 

[CatmanV2]

Thanks again for the reply, a couple of follow up questions:

1) Is it bad to replace the batteries (does it forget a code?), or should I be able to swap out batteries in the key without having to re-program it?
2) Should I be fine driving around with the red light blinking and just manually locking the doors (or will something bad happen?)
3) If I need to replace/fix the keys, do I need to send the car in as well or just the keys? (not sure if they need it all)

Thank you kindly

No problem
1) Nope should be totally fine. You don't want to take the old one out, then go a binge watch an entire box set before putting the new one one, but a few minutes of no power should be OK. Just swapping should be totally fine
2) Should be fine. Although your alarm should be going off as well (I'm going to assume your siren has had it) and also your hazzards.....
3) You can get new keys via a dealer by mail order on proof of ownership (Ross at Meridien has helped me with both mine) *but* you will still need to take the car to the dealer to have the immobiliser chip added to the ECU *and* I don't *think* a dealer can add a new key to the alarm without a working one. You'll need the silver and red cards as well.... They may well be able to confirm or deny that. If they can't then your alarm will need to be replaced or re-programmed. I understand that re-programming is by mail (i.e. remove, send away, wait, receive, replace) Obviously if it's replacement, then you're taking the car in.

C

 

[Tux]

Again thank you!

I swapped out the batteries on one of the keys with fresh new ones, and lo-and-behold it works! Woohoo! Thank you kindly. I was hesitant to try this in case it forgot all its programming

But you brought up some interesting points and some further questions

1) *NO* alarm was going off (at least none I could hear). And no, the hazard lights were not blinking. Aside from the little red light on the dashboard I would not have noticed there was a problem. (Maybe the car has other problems?)
2) I have two keys, let's call them A & B. I swapped out batteries on B, it still did not work. I swapped out batteries on A (my main set), and it did work! I examined B closely and looks like the dip switch on the top (unlock/lock) is a bit broken (no resistance when pressing it). I could not see any obvious problems I could address, so I take it this key is broken and needs to be replaced.
3) Although A does turn off the Red Light (and causes the blinkers to flash correctly) it does not actually *LOCK* the doors (I have to lock them manually). I had this problem before today's fiasco. I take it that is a different issue.

So my questions are:
1) Any idea why my locks don't lock if I use the fob to lock them (and have to do it manually).
2) I guess the best bet is for me to contact the Maserati dealer (I am in France) to ask to get me a new key, drive it in there, and have them sort it out.

Again, thank you for the help, super appreciated!

 

[CatmanV2]

Cool!

1) So my guess is your siren is either broken or removed. Mine was missing totally. It lives behind the boot lining, left hand side. A bit awkward to swap, but OK
2) Replace or repair the key. A new one will cost you in the line of €300 plus dealer time to code it to the car. A decent electronic shop should be able to replace the switch for next to nothing.
3) Yes odd issue, that. Check the fuse first (sorry can't recall which one) If that's good then, do the locks try and lock, the open again? In any event the most likely reason is the solenoids in the lock units have failed. Cheap part to fix, but the door card has to come off, and the actuator rods are a bit fiddly. About 90 minutes per side if you're doing it yourself.

So simple answer is to dealer. If you've a mind to DIY (and my diagnosis is correct) then it's quite simple. Of course it *might* be something else.

Glad to have helped

C

 

[Tux]

Thank you again! I'll try out my local garage to see if he has ideas on the door locks (if it's as you suggest, then any mechanic should be able to fix it). I'll see if I can find someone to fix the key's dip switch (maybe I can do it myself). Failing that, I'll head to the Maserati dealer and fork over cash

Thanks again, much appreciated!

 

[spkennyuk]

The micro switches are pennies off ebay and take a few minutes to swap over if your reasonably confident with a soldering iron.

If you get stuck i can change it over for you if your anywhere near Manchester. I can put together a how to guide / instructions if you need them as i still have the pictures from when i repaired mine.