swaussie

I drive a 2010 Forester but the systems (I believe) are identical on the new Impreza.

Yesterday I stopped to do some shopping and parked my car between two banks. After I came back my car refused to recognise my key. I thought maybe the battery in my fob was flat so I went and bought a new one. No joy. I walked home to get my second key (thankfully I only live a few miles from the shops). Still nothing but a big flashing red key symbol on the instrument panel and an orange flashing "no key" symbol.

I was parked front first towards the bank and on an incline.

I had no idea at that point what it was and rang my local garage who suggested it might be interference from the alarms at the banks. I managed to get a couple of strong lads walking past to help me move the car about a meter until it hit the kerb (due to the steering being locked with the wheels turned at about 45 degrees) and we couldnt move it any further.

Thankfully that was enough for it to recognise the key and the car started. The comments from the lads were amusing like what would I have done at 2 in the morning with no one around? No idea really as roadside assistance couldnt have towed it onto a truck with the steering locked...

So, a word of warning to all with the new keyless system, dont park near something that might have strong radio interference, but what that might be, I dont know, except banks when they are closed and their alarms are activated.

It really was annoying to say the least and there is just no possibility of starting these cars manually using only the key

sarasquares

iTrader: (1)

Annoying?? I would haver made the banks alarms go off just for the hell of it

IggyRB320

iTrader: (9)

Sounds like a previous MY01 WRX, which was a royal pain in the 4rse for this exact thing happening.
Infared doors & radio masts were the main problem. In fact I had to watch where it was parked in the works car park!!

No such problems with MY07 RB320!

Scooby-kid

This is common Subaru problem, it's a bit embarrasing having to push your car away from the building with the alarm system, but it works!

Scott.

S1FU

A complete joke. Just had to put a Cat1 on which wasn`t cheap as i couldn`t park anywhere that had an ariel lol.

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

I wouldnt use the above link people, bit spammy to me so its reported (plus what the hell are they going on about )

Tony

Turbotits

iTrader: (2)

Yea very common on all makes not just subaru's

Dont stress roadside can move it very easily without damage> steering lock or not. Just need the right equipment.

AndyC_772

iTrader: (2)

Isn't there a keypad in the glove box any more?

Classic Imprezas with the Sigma M30 alarm were notorious for this, but when it happens you just need to open the doors with the key and type your PIN into the keypad.

SPG

The new keyless fobs still have a 'key' inside it, so you could have disabled the steering lock?

the_big_1

iTrader: (1)

Its not just Impreza or standard car equipment. I have a CAT1 alarm on my impreza and in one place I have found, close to a cell phone mast, the fobs do not repond. Usually its due to radio waves being close to the same frencancy that alarm fob works on.

urban

iTrader: (1)

Wanna a bet

How do you think repossession companies take cars from driveways.
These have the steering locked & the handbrake on.

swaussie

LOL, yeah I guess your right.

Further to this, there is a tip by Subaru to get it going if this happens. Hold the fob against the start button and wait for it to beep (telling you its detected the key) and then start it within 5 seconds.

This is all well and good if you have my problem. If you have a flat battery in the key and no-where to buy one, you are up the infamous creek, unless someone knows something about starting them manually that Subaru isnt telling us?

There is no barrel in the steering to put the emergency key into. It will allow you to lock/unlock the car but once inside you cant do much but yell about how stupid modern technology is

Simon C

Its not in the glove box, but yes, there is a keypad still.

I've parked next to banks, power lines and a cell phone tower in MY09 and never had a problem.

Kinni

Had this problems with a SEAT Ibiza Cupra a few years back. Wouldn't disable alarm so I had to unlock with key and drive home with the alarm going.

At which stage I found out how easy it was to by-pass and bought a new alarm anyway.

walsh128

Had the same problems with my 08 hatch. City centres (anywhere). Open the door with the manual key from the fob and once in, hold the fob right up against the starter button, as described earlier.
Its all in the manual, so its worth keeping the manual in the glove box. No big deal, but might be prudent changing the key fob battery every couple of years.

BMWhere?

You should have walked there in the first place you lazy git!

scooby L

Had my fob checked the other day (2008 STI) because it's got a bit tempramental.. anyway... low battery voltage... new battery required... on back order...2-3 weeks

swaussie

2-3 week back order? Its a straight up watch battery. If they charge you any more than 3-5 quid for it your being ripped off big time. Pull the fob apart and change it yourself would be my advice..

scoobyboy

if the battery does go flat do as mentioned above hold the fob against the start button and it will read it and disarm it.
you can also start them with out needing to touch the pedals as well!