Just bought my second MG, I think I have key problems......

[Chunky2778]

Hi all, first post so please be gentle!

I recently purchased my second MG, my first was a Mk1 ZT-T which I kind of wish I hadn't sold, the one I've just purchased I pretty much saved from the scrappy. It's a Mk2 ZT, it's rough, been well used, I think mechanically cared for but the bodywork has seen it's fair share of the narrow Devon lanes so to speak.

However for the money it is what it is, and I purposefully bought another MG as I needed a comfortable workhorse.

I've carried out a few of the mods I've seen on here so far and from experience with my Mk1, however I have a central locking issue.

At the time of purchase I was told there is only one key, RCL doesn't work. No probs, I'll just use the key in the lock. However I've now realised there is no NSF or boot lock. So if the latch fails or the lock freezes up in the winter I'm stuck. The car is off road at the moment as I'm pottering about doing the bits and pieces on it, I'm reluctant to use it with only one way of getting into it.

So far I've tried :-

1. New key battery, repeatedly press button away from car, stand by car and press >4 times. LED lights up on key.

2. Disconnect battery (which looks quite new btw), leave overnight, reconnect and try to re-sync.

3. Check fuses 32 and 36, both ok, also checked other power sounder fuse (can't remember number) and that was fine although power sounder doesn't work when alarm triggered.

4. I'd read that a drowned ECU might cause odd behaviour, the plenum was partially blocked but I don't think it reached the ECU, there was no standing water in the plenum neither was the pollen filter damp. The car drove perfectly on the 40 mile journey home, starts on the button, no signs of erratic behaviour other than the RCL fault.

5. The OSF door lock opens and operates the central locking from outside the car, however I believe the latch is intermittently faulty motor-wise as it doesn't always unlock using the button in the centre console. I'm happy to leave this as it is as the latch releases when I pull the internal handle, this wouldn't affect the RCL would it?


Does anyone have any further ideas at all please? Is it likely someone didn't let everything power down when they did the battery? If so do I likely need a T4 session, in which case my nearest to Plymouth would be Newton Abbot? What are my options?

[FLYING BANANA]

Originally Posted by Chunky2778

Hi all, first post so please be gentle!

I recently purchased my second MG, my first was a Mk1 ZT-T which I kind of wish I hadn't sold, the one I've just purchased I pretty much saved from the scrappy. It's a Mk2 ZT, it's rough, been well used, I think mechanically cared for but the bodywork has seen it's fair share of the narrow Devon lanes so to speak.

However for the money it is what it is, and I purposefully bought another MG as I needed a comfortable workhorse.

I've carried out a few of the mods I've seen on here so far and from experience with my Mk1, however I have a central locking issue.

At the time of purchase I was told there is only one key, RCL doesn't work. No probs, I'll just use the key in the lock. However I've now realised there is no NSF or boot lock. So if the latch fails or the lock freezes up in the winter I'm stuck. The car is off road at the moment as I'm pottering about doing the bits and pieces on it, I'm reluctant to use it with only one way of getting into it.

So far I've tried :-

1. New key battery, repeatedly press button away from car, stand by car and press >4 times. LED lights up on key.

2. Disconnect battery (which looks quite new btw), leave overnight, reconnect and try to re-sync.

3. Check fuses 32 and 36, both ok, also checked other power sounder fuse (can't remember number) and that was fine although power sounder doesn't work when alarm triggered.

4. I'd read that a drowned ECU might cause odd behaviour, the plenum was partially blocked but I don't think it reached the ECU, there was no standing water in the plenum neither was the pollen filter damp. The car drove perfectly on the 40 mile journey home, starts on the button, no signs of erratic behaviour other than the RCL fault.

5. The OSF door lock opens and operates the central locking from outside the car, however I believe the latch is intermittently faulty motor-wise as it doesn't always unlock using the button in the centre console. I'm happy to leave this as it is as the latch releases when I pull the internal handle, this wouldn't affect the RCL would it?


Does anyone have any further ideas at all please? Is it likely someone didn't let everything power down when they did the battery? If so do I likely need a T4 session, in which case my nearest to Plymouth would be Newton Abbot? What are my options?

Give Cable Tie aka Matt Darke a shout or pm him, he might be able to help you. Just up the road in Torquay.

I’m over the bridge in Saltash and have used a garage local to me. Moorlands Auto Solutions in Moorlands Lane Saltash. All my 3 have been looked after by them. You drive by my place to get to the garage, pop in for a cuppa.

[Simondi]

Welcome to the club, I'm sure someone will be along shortly who can advise


Edit, Bob beat me to it lol

[Chunky2778]

Thanks for your replies and the welcome, I've PM'd and been in touch, also been recommended to contact Marinabrian, no response as yet but fingers crossed.

If I'm out Saltash way I'll keep an eye out

[trikey]

Sounds like dead solenoids in the other doors to me.

[Chunky2778]

Originally Posted by trikey

Sounds like dead solenoids in the other doors to me.

Sorry just read back through and I didn't make it clear, the central locking works, all the doors open, the interior switch locks everything, just nothing happens off the remote so I'm not keen on only having one method of access.