for quite a while my main key wouldnt immediately immobilise the car but with a few clicks it would eventually get there, until a few weeks ago nothing would make it work. Replaced batteries (and tried several just to make sure the batteries themselves were ok) but that made no difference. The spare key then worked for a couple of weeks since then. Last night I had to get in manually and then after several attempts clicking right next to the receiver it finally started so i at least got home, but now this morning no joy whatsoever. Have checked batteries on it & no difference. Could it be the main battery? Or the fact it was very very wet for a while (when first key gave up) and now it's been very very cold - and I hadnt used the car for 10 days until yesterday?? The red light on both key fobs comes on (flashes on - doesnt stay on - not sure if it should) - could it be a problem with the actual receiver?
Speaking to a dealer (miles away) I have to get the car in there and if it's new keys that are needed then it takes a week, and car needs to be recoded etc. I live in a pretty remote place by myself - I feel a bit stuck!
I do have rac membership & will try them on monday, but any suggestions in the meantime greatly welcomed ...
the car is a p reg renault megane 1.6RT

annie, November 2005

I have had the same problem with my rover 416 and i phoned a mechanic who came out to look at my car and because he was in a hurry he showed me an insider secret: something the car dealers wont tell you becuase they make so much money from it! : ok first put key in ignition and turn to second position and then disconnect the car battery for a full minute then reconnect said battery and then your immobiliser should be reset. this i have done several times all with various degrees of success. as my immobiliser has never performed like when i first got it but hey it's better than having no car right?

brian, August 2009

i have same problem with my 97 scenic the key seems fine but must need rephsed, i have the 4 digit code to override the imobiliser but i dont no how to enter it?? any help would be greatfully apprecited many thanks..

grayso, January 2008

Same problem. 1998 S reg Scenic. Over the past weekend it worked intermittently and yesterday gave up completely. It is now at the dealers and I am waiting to hear how much I am going to be screwed for. What's even more galling is that I'm planning on buying a new car in the next month or two and I'm about to spend potentially a substantial sum on just keeping this heap of sh1t going. I spent £350 to repair the exhaust last month and probably £200+ now - in total that's probably half the value of the car for trade-in. Happy Christmas.

Simon, November 2007

Hi

same issue here, one key works, one doesn't - the batteries went in one, and wary of the potential problems i replaced them with identical ones the same day - but it doesn't work, and yes, it's £150 plus VAT for "reprogramming" and i don't expect Renault mind the cash to effectively replace a battery.

I did manage to unlock it with a PDA, having "copied" the code using a tv remote control application, but it's not prctical - i'd love to have a plan C to start the darn thing while i wait a few paydays to give Renault their lb of flesh.

the saint, March 2006

many thanks Colin - yes mine's 1997 and today I willed it to click into action, got it to my nearest renault dealer who, after checking the car battery, said i needed a new key which would take 5-10 days! Living alone, a couple of miles out of a village, and having a really important meeting in London in a weeks time I stressed the urgency ... shortly afterwards they showed me how to override the code and at least have access the car. Brilliant! But as you say, you could lose your mind doing it indefinitely, so the key is on order (doubt if I'd been told how to override otherwise as they said they werent supposed to show me).
Seems a bit of a scam from renault (and presumably all makes) as the new key and recoding will cost about £120.
Many thanks for your confirmation of what I've done.

annie, November 2005

Hi, the immobiliser on mine went 2 weeks ago; seem symptoms as yours.
Mine was registered in 1997 (I'm in Ireand so I don't know what year a P reg is; sorry).
I rang a friend who works in a Renault Garage with the chassis number - he gave me a code then and I use it to by-pass the immobilser. But it's painful; takes about 40 seconds to enter the code.
This is only ashort term solution though; you'll lose your mind doing it indefinitely,

Colin, November 2005