Car magic

[NormanV]

Here's a strange thing, my neighbour  has a new car and when I press the remote locking button on my keyfob his side lights come on. Earlier today as I drove  past his lights also came on. Any thoughts on what could be happening here?

[Muzzerboy]

Have you tried the door to see if you can get in? Are they both the same brand? I can't understand why the lights would come on simply driving past - perhaps a coincidence? Wrap the fob in foil and see if it really is causing this.

[NormanV]

Try his car door? And get arrested
I'll try the foil, and no they are not the same make mine's Volvo his MG

[BillTodd]

At a guess, there's a limited number of free radio bands that the keyfobs can use , making clashes likely.

The rx/tx chipsets  are going to be the cheapest available , so likely the same in both keys.

The 'codes' are ultimately only numbers of fixed length and without international standards, duplication is easily possible

Most of the above is still true for metal keys, except you don6 normally try them in other people's locks.

[awemawson]

My Disco2 key fob uses the same frequency as my electric gate alarm meaning that while the gate is in motion I can neither lock nor unlock the vehicle.

I suspect also that the gate alarm wakes up the 'Body Control' computer on the Disco meaning that standby current discharge increases potentially flattening the battery if the Disco sits unused for more than a few weeks.

[AdeV]

...flattening the battery if the Disco sits unused for more than a few weeks.

No, that's just normal for Discos...  (and indeed many other older British cars)

[awemawson]

No it isn’t

I did extensive investigations last year and proved that the quiescent current reduced to an extremely low value so long as the system wasn’t subjected to the awakening radio waves. Once in range of the gate alarm I could monitor the body computer waking up and staying awake for about ten minutes during which time the parasitic draw remained high.

Nowt to do with it being a Disco, any vehicle on the same frequency would suffer the same issue.

[SwarfnStuff]

Just a thought,
Have you chatted with your neighbour and tried fobs??
Also he or she may have security cameras fitted in the car. Mine keeps monitoring the inside of the closed garage. Front and rear in my case.
Asked the auto Electrician, "Don't worry very little battery drain".
Now that is true but it does fill the micro chip with many hours of zilch and sunlight peeping through the gap over the roller door. 

John B