Help! GT not unlocking…

Sal_1978

Junior Member
Messages
23
Hi everyone - tried searching for some similar experiences but no joy so hoping for some help.

So the story is last night I took the 2008 GT out for a spin for a few hours and returned home all good and well. Today I was getting ready for my anniversary staycation in London bags all packed and went to unlock the GT….. nothing. Car wasn’t unlocking and I couldn’t even seem to manually open the car with the key. I changed the key fob battery.. nothing either. A few frantic presses of lock unlock in multiple combos .. nothing .. however I did see on the dash the parking brake light blink a few times with another parking light next to it.

So totally gutted at not being able to take the GT for my London stopover and instead had to settle for the Audi Q3 I’m left wondering what the **** is going on.

Ive had the car since June and not used a trickle charger but no issues at all starting up even if left for a week. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you so much!
 

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,593
I would start with the car battery first to disclude a few things.

disconnect the negative terminal and charge it over 12hrs.

reconnect, lock, unlock then press and hold the boot button till it clicks.

Report back your findings.

Try the spare key with new batteries too.

The key should manually unlock/lock the car. You use the second manual button on the door handle that is next to the electronic touch sensitive one. It may stick in from lack of use.

Silicone spray and work it, use a pick tool on the underside of the button to work it out of it’s stuck in position.
 

Sal_1978

Junior Member
Messages
23
Ok thanks will try that when I’m back… I was hoping it was the battery so let’s see whether this is the guilty party at fault.
Didn’t try pressing the other button on the door handle so will try that.

Thanks so much. :alan2:
 

Sal_1978

Junior Member
Messages
23
I would start with the car battery first to disclude a few things.

disconnect the negative terminal and charge it over 12hrs.

reconnect, lock, unlock then press and hold the boot button till it clicks.

Report back your findings.

Try the spare key with new batteries too.

The key should manually unlock/lock the car. You use the second manual button on the door handle that is next to the electronic touch sensitive one. It may stick in from lack of use.

Silicone spray and work it, use a pick tool on the underside of the button to work it out of it’s stuck in position.

Hi all - just to close the loop on this. I did manage to open the car with the manual unlock technique.. not sure why I didnt realise the other button was there lol! Also summoned the usual rescue services as its a freebie from my bank and sure enough they did a test and faulty battery was the verdict with the VARTA one that was in the car. Got the car started and zoomed down to Halfords to get a'Yuasa' Silver Battery fitted and she is back to life. Had reservations about the battery but I did see that a few people have had positive reviews and all I can say is so far so good - fires up really nicely. 5 year warranty so cant go wrong and a good price too. Hopefully this will have saved me from getting stranded over winter somewhere remote during my scenic drives :thumb:
 

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,593
If it’s a Yuasa more fun and games will be forthcoming.

Varta Blue
Bosch
Exide

in that order of preference

Has anyone tried an AGM battery, this may be the answer to battery woes
 

Gazcw

Member
Messages
7,696
If it’s a Yuasa more fun and games will be forthcoming.

Varta Blue
Bosch
Exide

in that order of preference

Has anyone tried an AGM battery, this may be the answer to battery woes
I thought I read something that they like a different charge voltage or something. I will see if I can find it again. There is lots of talk about swapping to agm.
Here is something:
AGM batteries are capable of being charged at a faster rate, and may draw additional amperage from the alternator if it is not regulated. Many cars that come with AGM batteries have special charge rates. Lead Acid batteries work best with a low current charge over a long period of time. AGM work best with a mid to high current, charge over a short period of time. AGM batteries are also sensitive to overcharging, so additional protection circuits may be needed.
 
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Zep

Moderator
Messages
9,110
I thought I read something that they like a different charge voltage or something. I will see if I can find it again.

Yes, it’s a lower float voltage, so there is potential for overcharging.
 

Sal_1978

Junior Member
Messages
23
Yuasa Heavy duty batteries for sale on Ebay for £60.00

Really? All the ones I looked at were £100+ for the Silver 019 ones. Had a Halfords voucher I had lying around so used that. Anyway it’s a battery so let’s see if it’s lasts the 5 years lol
 

Sal_1978

Junior Member
Messages
23
If it’s a Yuasa more fun and games will be forthcoming.

Varta Blue
Bosch
Exide

in that order of preference

Has anyone tried an AGM battery, this may be the answer to battery woes

The one that died was a Varta Blue.. for some reason it put me off that.. psychology for you lol… But no one had that or Bosch in stock on the day so let’s see if Mr Yuasa lives up to the billing.
 

Gazcw

Member
Messages
7,696
The one that died was a Varta Blue.. for some reason it put me off that.. psychology for you lol… But no one had that or Bosch in stock on the day so let’s see if Mr Yuasa lives up to the billing.
It's got a warranty. Cellotape the receipt to it and when it fails take it back for something else.
 

Scaf

Member
Messages
6,511
Really? All the ones I looked at were £100+ for the Silver 019 ones. Had a Halfords voucher I had lying around so used that. Anyway it’s a battery so let’s see if it’s lasts the 5 years lol
Put the receipt in a plastic pouch tucked under the battery - that way you won’t lose it and it will be there if you need it.

opps ….. just seen someone posted same advice