Locking Problem

[R2D3]

Two weeks ago I visited the Yorkshire Arboretum, not that the place is significant except for the fact that it is miles from anywhere and certainly not near anything that could be emitting signals of any description.  I parked and attempted to lock the door as normal by touching the door handle.  Nothing happened.  Checked all doors shut and tried using the remote, boot button, other door handle.  Still nothing.  Got in car started engine then switched off.  Repeated trying to lock car.  Nothing.  Waited 3 or 4 minutes tried handle lock again and success, car locked.

OK, so a one-off event, nothing to worry about.... Except...

Two days ago I again visited the same site and experienced the same (not) locking issue.  Thankfully, it didn't quite take so long to eventually lock the car.

These are the only two occasions that this has happened, so would appreciated any views on why this may had occurred.

[pauly58]

We had similar recently, turned out the tailgate wasn't closed properly,

[Marco1979]

If you also carry the spare key, the Jazz might not lock when the spare is inside and is not disabled.

[Kremmen]

I've read about remote locking problems due to local vicinity radio interference but I doubt that would affect the door or tailgate buttons.

I also seem to recall, when I picked up the car and they left the active spare key inside, when trying to lock, it gave a series of rapid beeps to indicate failure.

I'm sure I get those rapid beeps if I try and lock with not all doors shut properly

[HertsHonda]

Midway between Menwith Hill and Fylingdales. Did you appear on  their radar?

[Kremmen]

I wonder if the door and tailgate buttons do still use a radio signal of sorts, hence the problem ?

[Bristol_Crosstar]

Being nosey and not knowing the area I looked at Google maps satellite photos of that area, there is some sort of industrial building hidden behind trees near the lake on the other side of the road from the arboretum car park, only about 90 metres away but invisible so I wonder if that has anything to do with it?

[R2D3]

No nearer finding the source of the problem but it happened at the same place again today.  An additional problem was that on returning to the car it would not unlock using the door or boot handles but did after several tries with the remote.  I had enquired earlier at the reception there and was informed that not only had several other visitors reported the same issue but one of the receptionists herself often had the problem.  The nearby buildings are simply farm buildings so no secret radar tracking equipment... unless they are making a good job of making it secret!

ps I forgot to ask the receptionist what make her car was but will do next time.  If she has a Honda we might be onto something

[Kremmen]

Does it work 100% everywhere else ?

[R2D3]

Does it work 100% everywhere else ?

Absolutely.  Never an issue anywhere else. Am going to try a more distant part of the carpark there on next visit to determine how localised the problem is.

[nowster]

Sounds very much like a radio interference problem to me. There'll be something in the vicinity that uses high power in the 400-450MHz band, which is overwhelming the receiving circuitry in the car (which typically uses 433MHz).

[HertsHonda]

See my post #4 ?

[Lord Voltermore]

I had enquired earlier at the reception there and was informed that not only had several other visitors reported the same issue but one of the receptionists herself often had the problem.  The nearby buildings are simply farm buildings so no secret radar tracking equipment... unless they are making a good job of making it secret!

ps I forgot to ask the receptionist what make her car was but will do next time.  If she has a Honda we might be onto something

Was the receptionists name Miss Moneypenny by any chance?