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MG MGF Technical - Alarm/locking

With my recently aquired MGF I received to key fobs. Both of them will lock and unlock the cr but both have to be placed in exactly the right place to work. I have to hold each one near to the front screen pointing at around the dashboard instrument binicle to unlock or lock the car. I have tried a new battery in the clicker to no effective improvement in distance. Do other MGFs manage any better?
Bob (Robert) Midget Turbo

It's old fashioned electronics from back in 1993?, so it's a feature, no fault.

The working distance depends on several circumstances.
Mainly the unvisible RF distortions from nearby High Power stations, mobile antennas etc.
Even a microwave oven could have influence on the working distance.
I've never tried it, but assume the longest distance would be available in wide desert ;)

See here for the very first MGF FAQ and other hints on improving the distance with the yellow antenna wire
http://www.gregh.co.uk/html/mgfaq2.htm#remote
:)
Dieter

Thanks Dieter I will try those tips tomorrow.
Bob (Robert) Midget Turbo

Bob

As Dieter says - it is a feature:-)

But try to unwind the aerial, behind the central tunnel cheek on passenger side, it worked for our F we can stand 10 feet away from the car and operate the remote LOL.
Ted Newman

Bob,
Look on the back of the key fob for a model number. Several types of KEY FOBS have been issued.

3TXA P1239 is the original early key fob at 315mhz fitted to vehicles upto 1998.

3TXB is the replacement for the 3TXA introduced in 1998
315mhz, they are poor perfromance key fobs.

17TN is the latest key fob still in production, this will replace all of the above, it is backward compatible.

Which ones do you have?

Cheers,
Branko
Branko

Hi Branko thanks for the effort

My key fobs begin with the prefix 3TXA
As the car is a 96/97 that sounds about right.

1 of the tips was to put the fog to you head when prssing to increase response.

I tested this placing the clicker to my forehead and astonishingly I do think it improved slightly.
Bob (Robert) Midget Turbo

Spooky as it may sound Bob, try it under your chin so that the back of your skull can bounce and focus the emissions while you are looking at the aerial location. Disconcerting isn't it - my effective range doubles like this!
Charless

At one time I got into the habit of touching the fob with my tongue while pressing the button, and this at least trebled the range. However, after I developed a recurring ulcer on the tip of my tongue I stopped doing this!!

Andy
Andrew Dear

I have had similar problems with mine since purchasing in May this year. Its the 3TXA and I got a replacement kit off ebay which improved performance a bit. I got and followed the 'yellow wire advice' and found that that helped. I also cleaned under the buttons with meths as found it was a bit 'treacly'. Each time I clean it it works beautifully for a few weeks.. Mine is temperamental but when it simply won't zap I find that using the key to unlock, putting key in ignition and pressing the unlock button on the fob works too. It doesn't 'zap' the indicators but it does disarm the immobiliser.

But on a happier note it is warming up in Adelaide with weekend looking for 29 and 33 degrees celsius. With the wind in my hair I forgive the damn thing all its quirks...
A Steventon

This thread was discussed between 26/09/2008 and 07/10/2008

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