"The reason why the remote doesn't work is that there's no batteries in it," the service person at the dealership tells me.
"What?" The people who sold me the car told me that the sensor for the remote door locks had failed and knocked $150 off the blue book price to cover a new one. We had thought of checking the battery in the remote, but we had assumed that the previous owner would have done that. Since we needed to take the car to the dealership for some other service, we decided to go ahead and get the remote door locks fixed too. But it seems we won't have to.
We get batteries instead and test out the remote when we pick up the car. It works!
As I fiddle with it throughout the day, however, I find that the range on the remote is quite limited. It works great as long as I'm standing by the driver's door with the key practically in the lock. With new batteries, it's probably not a problem with the remotes, which both have about the same range, but the sensor not working well.
I try the trick of improving the signal by pressing the remote against my chin when I press the buttons. This extends the range by a factor of ten. Also, when I do this, I stand on one foot with one arm extended and sort of pirouette.
"That's what improves the range, you know," says Oz.
"Really? Should I try sticking it up my nose too?"
"No, just flare your nostrils." He demonstrates.
"I know: when I point the thing at my chin, I'll tilt my head back and focus the rays out through my nose!"
287 words | April 11, 2005 09:37 PM | Real true story