John Broad is puzzled as to why his car locking system often does not work outside his home NK7249/A
VILLAGERS say they are being plagued by a mystery interference which is playing havoc with their cars.
Meopham residents say their lives have been disrupted for two weeks by the strange happening.
They have seen their cars' remote-controlled locking systems go berserk meaning many motorists have been locked out of their own vehicles.
And to add to their fury, the cars' alarms are going off day and night apparently for no reason.
Former maintenance engineer John Broad, 67, said: "We want to get to the bottom of this. Whoever is responsible should sort it out. People are very concerned.
"One bloke even had his car towed away to the dealership for diagnostics but they couldn't find anything wrong with it."
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Father-of-two Mr Broad has been having trouble with his Nissan Almeria but the mysterious electronic gremlins are striking a range of cars including Toyotas, Volkswagens and Land Rovers.
He added: "One chap goes to work at 5am and when he's having problems his car's loud alarm wakes up the whole street."
Villagers suspected the Vodafone mast at Meopham train station but the company has said there is no way it is responsible.
News Shopper has reported in the past how motorists have been locked out of their cars because of phone mast interference.
Normally upgraded 3G masts, which allow people to send pictures and videos via their mobiles, are to blame.
In one case, car manufacturer Subaru confirmed its cars can be affected by radiation from masts.
But Vodafone says the Meopham station mast has been operating for many years and there have been no recent alterations or upgrades.
A spokesman said it was highly unlikely the phone mast was affecting the car alarms.
She explained the phone network operated between 900 and 2,100 megahertz which is far removed from the key-fob remote controls for cars, which operate at around 300 megahertz.
She added more likely causes could be radio transmissions from ambulances and police cars, or even amateur radio hams' operating in the area.
Mr Broad said: "It's mystifying.We are at the end of our tether. If any readers can give us a clue as to why this is happening we want to hear from them."
Can you solve the mystery of the dysfunctional car alarms? Call 01689 885725 or email prevel @london.newsquest.co.uk
I am wondering if this problem has been resolved as I just purchased a car alarm and it too goes off unexpectedly. However, I have been noticing that a car may pass by and the alarm goes off. I wonder whether someone is using some type of instrument to make the car chirp.
I would love to know what it is.
I am wondering if this problem has been resolved as I just purchased a car alarm and it too goes off unexpectedly. However, I have been noticing that a car may pass by and the alarm goes off. I wonder whether someone is using some type of instrument to make the car chirp.
I would love to know what it is.
Posted by: Clifton, Croydon on 4:37pm Wed 15 Aug 07
We're having exactly the same problem, neither myself or my neighbours can lock our cars. I've been here nearly 8 years and never had a problem but all of a sudden atleast half a dozen cars won't respond to their key fobs. If you drive down the end of the road 100 yards away it works fine!
We're having exactly the same problem, neither myself or my neighbours can lock our cars. I've been here nearly 8 years and never had a problem but all of a sudden atleast half a dozen cars won't respond to their key fobs. If you drive down the end of the road 100 yards away it works fine!
Posted by: Ed wards, lincoln on 9:27pm Wed 3 Oct 07
we are having the same phenomenon happening where I live, key fob won't work for many makes of cars on my street, yet work properly 50yds down the street. we live near raf base and wonder whether it's due to the increasing activity of the e3d aircraft . can anyone add any more to this
we are having the same phenomenon happening where I live, key fob won't work for many makes of cars on my street, yet work properly 50yds down the street. we live near raf base and wonder whether it's due to the increasing activity of the e3d aircraft . can anyone add any more to this
Posted by: tony, Brentwood on 12:02am Tue 8 Jan 08
Three days ago our Volvo alarm packed up (wouldn't respond to the remote) and that night my Nissan (with an aftermarket alarm) had the same problem as soon as I parked it on our drive. Tonight my in-laws visited and their MG alarm remote wouldn't work when they got here. What's going on?
Three days ago our Volvo alarm packed up (wouldn't respond to the remote) and that night my Nissan (with an aftermarket alarm) had the same problem as soon as I parked it on our drive. Tonight my in-laws visited and their MG alarm remote wouldn't work when they got here. What's going on?
Posted by: Martin Guard, Bewdley. Worcs on 9:10am Tue 26 Feb 08
I have experienced a worse problem. My car alarm stops the car (French Venturi with a Texal alarm) on the A449 link road north of Worcester. There is a large telecommunication mast and West Mercia Police HQ nearby. I am convinced this is the problem but how to prove it? I've been relayed home 2x from there. The car works properly again at home and locally. It is a known problem in France, but a dangerous one when the car is brought to a standstill on a main road.
I have experienced a worse problem. My car alarm stops the car (French Venturi with a Texal alarm) on the A449 link road north of Worcester. There is a large telecommunication mast and West Mercia Police HQ nearby. I am convinced this is the problem but how to prove it? I've been relayed home 2x from there. The car works properly again at home and locally. It is a known problem in France, but a dangerous one when the car is brought to a standstill on a main road.
Parked near Regent's Park, London my car key fob would not work. Opened the door with the key and, inevitably, the alarm went off. Unable to stop it. Vehicle rescue service attended - we drove a few streets away and the fob worked again. Hazard lights still flashed - until such time as the car was raised onto the back of a second recovery vehicle. Suddenly no problem. But it inconvenienced me by 5 hours! I was told the problem was caused by satellites!
Parked near Regent's Park, London my car key fob would not work. Opened the door with the key and, inevitably, the alarm went off. Unable to stop it. Vehicle rescue service attended - we drove a few streets away and the fob worked again. Hazard lights still flashed - until such time as the car was raised onto the back of a second recovery vehicle. Suddenly no problem. But it inconvenienced me by 5 hours! I was told the problem was caused by satellites!
Posted by: James, Southampton on 8:25pm Wed 7 May 08
I too had the same problem with my 2005 Ford Focus C-Max. The remote just stopped working when the car was parked outside my house, it worked fine 20yrds down the road!! I knocked on all the local doors to see if anybody had recently added a wireless router, playstaion 3 or any other device that may cause interfearance -the answer was no. Guess what, 2 weeks later it solved itself!! Had no problems since. Strange.
I too had the same problem with my 2005 Ford Focus C-Max. The remote just stopped working when the car was parked outside my house, it worked fine 20yrds down the road!! I knocked on all the local doors to see if anybody had recently added a wireless router, playstaion 3 or any other device that may cause interfearance -the answer was no. Guess what, 2 weeks later it solved itself!! Had no problems since. Strange.
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