Originally Posted by
WonderMellon
I was heading out this evening when the key fob stopped working on my roadster. No lock, no unlock, nothing. Figured it was the batteries, and replaced them, but the fob still didn't work. Pressing the buttons, I see the red light flash. Thinking that maybe the key needed to be reset, I used the key to manually unlock the driver side door. Immediately, the siren went off and the lights started flashing. I put the key in the ignition, pressed the lock button on the fob twice and turned the key to the on position but the alarm did not stop. Tried starting the car and it turned over, then immediately died. 3 more times and then it stopped turning over at all.
So, the key could not get the SKREEM to tell the CLP/SSM to unlock the doors?
THEN, when you turned the key, opening the door set off the alarm? Well, the wires from the cylinder lock switch on the driver's door go to the SKREEM. (I was thinking they went to the CLP/SSM, but I was wrong. I seem to be wrong more and more as I get older.)
Looks to me like a flaky SKREEM. BUt it could also be a confused SKREEM and a power reset helped it start it's brain over - like many computers, this apparently got it out of what ever state it was in.
1) Is this an indication that the SKREEM is failing and should be replaced?
2) Is this a momentary hiccup and I will be fine for the foreseeable future?
3) Should I look at getting a replacement SKREEM?
4) Some other area I should be looking for a cause?
1) They tend to DIE not 'fail over time', but I understand your concern.
2) Perhaps. My gut feeling is yes.
3) Many of us have, Valk has a spare even tho he's never had an issue, he just does not want to need one someday and not be able to get one.
4) The 'conversation' between the SKREEM, ECU and CLP/SSM is complex. I still think it's the SKREEM, but water damage to a CLP/SSM can cause WEIRD stuff to happen.
Even if you order a spare SKREEM, I'd not install it unless I was forced to.
Also, please know that a flaky battery, corroded battery cables and like that can cause ODD issues with these cars. Perhaps the battery is going and the SKREEM got a dose of unstable voltage that sent it off into space.....