Rav4.1 Remote Problem

[Ady-Rav4]

Hi everyone,

my hairdresser has an S reg RAV4.1 Freesport 3dr. In fact, she's had it for years and years, upgrading from a Renault 5! It's only done around 60,000, sounds brand new, she still loves it.

I'll get to the point now! I asked her today how her RAV was, she told me that she has a problem with the remote. I listened and said I'll give a shout out on here for some info.

When she goes to open the RAV with the remote, it will refuse to unlock, so she has to open the door with key. When she starts the car up, the fault clears and from then, the fob works ok. It only happens on the first outing of the day.

This happens on both of her remotes, even with new batteries fitted. The red light comes on the fob as it should, when pressing to unlock.

I soppose it's transponder fault related but I don't know for sure. I would like to know what could be wrong and what is best for her to do.

Any help appreciated.

[bothwell_buyer]

The alarm and central locking wiring on 4.1s was fairly primitive, with the alarm being fitted when the car arrived on UK shores.

On my nummer 1 RAV, the central locking only works by key at the door lock. The rest of the system packed up some years ago so I removed it.

On number 2, I have 2 fobs both of which operate the central locking, but only part of the immobiliser system has been disabled so I get hazard lights flashing if I unlock with a key.

The best way on cars this old is just to get an auto-electrician to remove the offending bits. The fob can be disconnected but still keep central locking.

Its a bit like the clock on the dash which rarely works on some cars as the things were made with a dry solder joint - hunners of them.