I need to disable auto-unlock

10941 Views 29 Replies 23 Participants Last post by TheGlitch, Jun 25, 2017

carowriter

Discussion Starter · Jan 30, 2014 (Edited)

The Chevy Volt 2013 key fob is not waterproof so I can't take it with me when I surf. The other options are to hide it on the car (dumb i know, but we surfers do that all the time) or put it in a lockbox attached to the door handle. But this auto-unlock feature - where the car can be opened if the Fob is anywhere nearby - makes it all impossible (it even activates through the metal and plastic of the lockbox.) I looked in the manual and there were vague allusions to disabling some parts of the fob but i followed the instructions and absolutely nothing changed. I admit this could be pilot error. I think there must be a way to disable it, but it sure is complicated.

I looked at the fob so I could pull out the battery. Couldn't find a hammer-less way to do this. Also I fear this will stop the car from starting.

I went to a locksmith. They can make a key for the door but the Chevy wouldn't start with it. They tried to program their microchip to no avail.

Chevrolet says "We've never had this issue before." They had no advice on how to disable the entry, and insisted that they don't make keys without the fob. This is dismaying to me. The very technology that is supposed to make life easier is making my life very very hard. It's pretty absurd. I just want a KEY. That's it, for goodness sake. Does anyone have a solution to this?

1 - 20 of 30 Posts

somms

· #2 · Jan 30, 2014

carowriter said:
Chevrolet says "We've never had this issue before." They had no advice on how to disable the entry, and insisted that they don't make keys without the fob. This is dismaying to me. The very technology that is supposed to make life easier is making my life very very hard. It's pretty absurd. I just want a KEY. That's it, for goodness sake. Does anyone have a solution to this?

Disconnecting the Remote Control Door Lock Receiver mounted to the windshield directly behind the rearviewmirror will disable the keyless entry...

Upper5Percent

· #3 · Jan 30, 2014 (Edited)

carowriter said:
The Chevy Volt 2013 key fob is not waterproof so I can't take it with me when I surf. The other options are to hide it on the car (dumb i know, but we surfers do that all the time) or put it in a lockbox attached to the door handle. But this auto-unlock feature - where the car can be opened if the Fob is anywhere nearby - makes it all impossible (it even activates through the metal and plastic of the lockbox.) I looked in the manual and there were vague allusions to disabling some parts of the fob but i followed the instructions and absolutely nothing changed. I admit this could be pilot error. I think there must be a way to disable it, but it sure is complicated.

I looked at the fob so I could pull out the battery. Couldn't find a hammer-less way to do this. Also I fear this will stop the car from starting.

I went to a locksmith. They can make a key for the door but the Chevy wouldn't start with it. They tried to program their microchip to no avail.

Chevrolet says "We've never had this issue before." They had no advice on how to disable the entry, and insisted that they don't make keys without the fob. This is dismaying to me. The very technology that is supposed to make life easier is making my life very very hard. It's pretty absurd. I just want a KEY. That's it, for goodness sake. Does anyone have a solution to this?

Pg 2-8

Battery Replacement
Notice: When replacing the battery, do not touch any of the circuitry on the transmitter.
Static from your body could damage the transmitter.
To replace the battery:
1. Extend the key blade and open the battery cover on the back of the unit.Use your finger to lift the lower edge, where the blade used to be...NO HAMMER necessary...

2. Remove the used battery. Avoid touching the circuit board to other components.
3. Insert the new battery, positive side facing down toward
the base.
4. Reassemble the battery cover.
5. Check the operation of the transmitter with the vehicle.
battery, do not touch any of the circuitry on the transmitter.
Static from your body could damage the transmitter.

See less See more

Edju

· #4 · Jan 30, 2014

You're telling me you cannot find a small waterproof pouch to store your fob while you surf? REALLY??? REALLY???

The way I see it, this is a "software" problem and a FIRST WORLD PROBLEM, and if you can't figure out a solution, you need to get another car.

ehenyo

· #5 · Jan 30, 2014

Edju said:
You're telling me you cannot find a small waterproof pouch to store your fob while you surf? REALLY??? REALLY???

Exactly. Dude, just put it in a ziplock snack bag, and if you want to play it super safe, place that bag within another bag. THEN... place that into the pocket inside your wetsuit. Problem solved.

Raymondjram

· #6 · Jan 30, 2014

ehenyo said:
Exactly. Dude, just put it in a ziplock snack bag, and if you want to play it super safe, place that bag within another bag. THEN... place that into the pocket inside your wetsuit. Problem solved.

That was the same idea I would have suggested when I read the title. There are smaller sizes on sale. Even the bags that hold loose screws in some kits are small enough to hold the fob. They are watertight and airtight.

ClarksonCote

· #7 · Jan 30, 2014

Isn't there also a setting in the Config menu to disable passive door entry?

Henry_FL

· #8 · Jan 30, 2014

http://www.amazon.com/Aquapac-608-Waterproof-Keymaster/dp/B000VQUUVW

css28

· #9 · Jan 30, 2014

ClarksonCote said:
Isn't there also a setting in the Config menu to disable passive door entry?

I believe you're right and that this is what the OP was looking for.

emartin00

· #10 · Jan 30, 2014

ClarksonCote said:
Isn't there also a setting in the Config menu to disable passive door entry?

That disables the passive unlock, but the silver buttons on the door handles still work.

Elemental

· #11 · Jan 30, 2014 (Edited)

carowriter said:
The Chevy Volt 2013 key fob is not waterproof so I can't take it with me when I surf.

This is why the terrorists hate us.

http://www.suprasystems.com/Products/Pages/AutomotiveProducts.aspx

Many choices here to solve this problem.

jsmay311

· #12 · Jan 30, 2014

Yeah, a ziplock bag seems like the obvious solution.

If you rarely use the buttons on the fob, my other idea was to apply a few thick coats of PlastiDip. It's kind of a goofy idea, and idk how durable it would be, but I suspect it would work to keep water out. And it would probably(?) peel off relatively cleanly when you want to remove it.

ClarksonCote said:
Isn't there also a setting in the Config menu to disable passive door entry?

Page 5-59 of the 2013 manual shows the options of the "Passive Door Unlock" settings, and the only 2 choices are to unlock just the driver's door or to unlock all 4 doors. There's no "off" setting listed.

SirSpammenot

· #13 · Jan 30, 2014

somms said:
Disconnecting the Remote Control Door Lock Receiver mounted to the windshield directly behind the rearviewmirror will disable the keyless entry...

You could put a $2 switch in the plastic housing behind the mirror so you could flip the switch and disable the power to the RC-DLR. Then get out within your auto lock time, because for all it knows the fob HAS left the vehicle.. Later use the small/flat, non-electronic, key that fits in your watertight bag to open the door.. flip the switch and voilà! You can start the car.

Make it a black switch and nobody will notice it. Lock your teens out from joy riding... lots of uses!

Rampage_Rick

· #14 · Jan 30, 2014

I put my keys and phone into a Pelican case when I go out on my Seadoo. They've got a wide variety of sizes, I think the smallest is the 1010

Paulacton84

· #15 · Jan 30, 2014

carowriter said:
.... I just want a KEY. ...this?

I'm not sure the volt has an "auto unlock" feature. A thread a few days ago complained that about the lack of one.

also You can start the volt with just a mechanical key, try it with the batteries out of the fob sometime. Unlock the door, then put the mechanical key into the hidden "mechanical key slot" that your manual describes. .....

css28

· #16 · Jan 30, 2014

Paulacton84 said:
I'm not sure the volt has an "auto unlock" feature. A thread a few days ago complained that about the lack of one.

also You can start the volt with just a mechanical key, try it with the batteries out of the fob sometime. Unlock the door, then put the mechanical key into the hidden "mechanical key slot" that your manual describes. .....

When he says "auto unlock" he means that one can unlock the car by pressing the button on the handle while the fob is in close proximity.

The thread you mention from the other day wanted the doors to actually unlock themselves without the need to press a button.

Rampage_Rick

· #17 · Jan 30, 2014

Paulacton84 said:
You can start the volt with just a mechanical key, try it with the batteries out of the fob sometime. Unlock the door, then put the mechanical key into the hidden "mechanical key slot" that your manual describes. .....

Putting the key into the slot in the dash powers the key via induction. If you separate the metal key from the fob and put the key in the dash it won't do anything. You need the fob electronics to start the car.

Paulacton84

· #18 · Jan 30, 2014

css28 said:
When he says "auto unlock" he means that one can unlock the car by pressing the button on the handle while the fob is in close proximity.

The thread you mention from the other day wanted the doors to actually unlock themselves without the need to press a button.

Thanks, I read his note as saying that the doors would self unlock anytime he left the key hidden somewhere on the car. If he is just concerned about someone coming along and pressing the unlock button with the key hidden in a wheel well, then he could put the fob in a static shield bag.

Paulacton84

· #19 · Jan 30, 2014 (Edited)

Rampage_Rick said:
Putting the key into the slot in the dash powers the key via induction. If you separate the metal key from the fob and put the key in the dash it won't do anything. You need the fob electronics to start the car.

Thanks, I probably should have known that.... But in this case, it solves his problem: leave the key with the fob in the lockbox he described, hanging on the door handle, with no battery installed, use the key to unlock the door and then put it in the dash key slot and drive away.... seems like a lot of effort to be shark bait....

Cord

· #20 · Jan 31, 2014

remind me what we told the last surfer who ask almost the same question

Me _ I would just lock the FOB (with out the battery) in the car and get a waterproof case for the Iphone.

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