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MG MGF Technical - central locking


hi there,

my keyfob has started playing up! it looks like the previous owner must have dropped it in the wet, as there are signs of water ingress inside, i've cleaned it up and it works occasionaly... i've tried pulling out the yellow wire in the footwell to improve reception, but alas it did not work. i'm currently locking the f with the key, does this set the alarm and imobilser at the same time as locking? i was going to get a replacement key fob, but mgf wanted £140+ to supply and set up a new one!

any comments would be appreciated.

Thanks

Andy Lee
a r lee

Andy,

The key fobs frequently turn up on eBay - I think you need to take them to a dealer to reprogram them. There are 2 types, Lucas 3TXA and 3TXB - mine is an A but I can't remember if you can use either type or not! Either way, the fobs are common to other cars (Land Rovers spring to mind).

Tim.
Tim Jenner

The imobalizer is automatic, locking with the key does not set the alarm.
Will Munns

I wouldn't mix up the 3TXA and the 3TXB - unless told specifically that they are compatible. The latter came as an update sometime in '98/99 - and I am not sure that the 5AS immobiliser unit ECU wasn't modified at the same time.

Andy, did you not get a spare unit? New cars were supplied with two key fobs (mine certainly was!)

With regard to poor function, the key fob's usual fault is a poor contact with the battery (or even a flat battery - have you replaced it recently?) Use some contact cleaner spray on the battery contacts both on the PCB and the battery retaining clip - hopefully that'll help your cause immensely.
Rob Bell


thanks for that rob, i did'nt replace the battery a few months ago, your idea of the contact spray sounds good, i'll try it tonight and let you know how i got on.

Thanks

Andy lee
andy lee

What was the comment about the yellow wire??

I have worked out that i have to be within 3 paces of the car and with an out stretched arm to disarm the alarm with the key fob.

with my other car (misubishi) the key fob could unlock the car from 11 paces!!

do moving the yellow wire (where is it exactly) improve this at all?

Thanks.
John

The 3TXB and 3TXA are interchangeable and mixable, at least with mine they both work.

The later 3TXB has a better range though, so that is the 1 I normally use.

Johan
Johan Slagter

This thread was discussed on 19/05/2004

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