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Keyless Entry System Description and Operation

Keyless Entry System Description and Operation - Active

The keyless entry system is a vehicle entry device. The keyless entry system is used in conjunction with the door locks to unlock the vehicle. Keyless entry will lock/unlock the vehicle doors or open the rear compartment lid when a corresponding button on the keyless entry transmitter is pressed. This is accomplished by the transmitter sending a radio frequency to the remote control door lock receiver aerial that has a direct link to the body control module (BCM). The BCM interprets the signal and activates the requested function or request the appropriate control module to activate the function via a serial data message. A low transmitter battery or radio frequency interference from aftermarket devices, such as 2-way radios, power inverters, computers, etc., may cause a system malfunction. High radio frequency traffic areas, such as gas stations that use pay-at-the-pump radio frequency transponders, may also cause interference that could lead to a malfunction. Keyless entry allows you to operate the following features:

Keyless Entry System Description and Operation - Passive

Passive keyless entry allows entry to a locked vehicle without pressing any buttons on the keyless entry transmitter. You must only have the transmitter with you. The passive entry system use low frequency aerials in several different areas on the vehicle to determine the location of the transmitter. When passively opening a locked door or the rear compartment, you must have a programmed transmitter with you in your pocket, purse, or briefcase.

When a door handle is pulled or the rear compartment touch pad is pressed, the low frequency aerial sends out a challenge to the keyless entry transmitter. Because of the low frequency, communication range is limited. The aerial will emit the challenged in a one metre range. The transmitter must be within this range to receive the challenge. The transmitter receives this challenge and emits it's response as an RF message, which is received by the remote control door lock receiver. If the response is correct, the door or rear compartment will unlock and open.

As a customer convenience feature, the keyless entry system will notify the driver if the transmitter has been left in the vehicle after exiting by chirping the vehicle horn three times. This may be turned off using vehicle personalisation. Also, if the transmitter is left in the vehicle after the central door lock switch has been used to lock the vehicle, the driver door will remain unlock after exiting the vehicle. This is intended to prevent locking the transmitter in the vehicle and being unable to access it.

Keyless Entry System Description and Operation - Keyless Start

The keyless start portion of the keyless entry system allows vehicle starting, having only the transmitter as your key. The keyless start system uses low frequency aerials in three different locations on the vehicle to determine the location of the transmitter. Multiple aerials are used to ensure complete coverage of the vehicle interior and rear compartment. When using the keyless start system, a programmed transmitter must be in the vehicle's interior, such as the driver's pocket, purse, or briefcase.

When the ignition mode switch is pressed, the low frequency aerials emit a challenge to the keyless entry transmitter. The transmitter receives this challenge and emits it's response as an RF message, which is received by the remote control door lock receiver. If the response is correct, vehicle starting will be allowed. If RF communication is interrupted, a "No Remote Detected" message will be displayed on the DIC. In these cases, the extended transmitter key blade can be placed in the transmitter slot located in the upper instrument panel storage compartment, under the rubber mat. The immobiliser aerial coil is located directly beneath the transmitter slot. Placing the extended key blade in the slot will create a low powered coupling between the transmitter and immobiliser aerial, allowing communications to occur and enabling vehicle starting.

The keyless entry system has the following components:

The keyless entry transmitters are used to lock and unlock the vehicle door while away from the immediate are of the vehicle. Vehicles without remote start will operate at a distance of up to 20 m (65 ft) away. Vehicles with remote start will operate at a distance of up to 60 m (195 ft) away. The keyless entry transmitter is an integral part of the vehicle key.

The keyless entry door aerials are used to transmit low frequency communications to the keyless entry transmitters.

The keyless entry door aerials are located in the left front and right front exterior door handle bracket. The aerials are serviced as part of the door handle assembly. The aerials are controlled by the keyless entry control module. When the exterior door handle is operated, the respective aerial will send out a challenge to the keyless entry transmitter, which begins the passive entry communications.

The rear fascia aerial is used to transmit low frequency communication to the keyless entry transmitters for entry to rear compartment.

The rear fascia aerial is located behind the rear fascia. The aerial is controlled by the keyless entry control module. When the rear compartment touch pad is pressed, the aerial sends out a challenge to the keyless entry transmitter, which begins the passive entry communications.

This aerial is located in the lower instrument panel near the front of the centre console.

The front console aerial is used for vehicle starting functions. When the ignition mode switch is pressed, the aerial is energised or "pinged". This emits a low frequency challenge signal that is received by the keyless entry transmitter. The transmitter will then reply to this challenge with a response and, if correct, vehicle starting will occur.

This aerial is located in the rear of the centre console.

The rear console aerial is used for vehicle starting functions. When the ignition mode switch is pressed, the aerial is energised or "pinged". This emits a low frequency challenge signal that is received by the keyless entry transmitter. The transmitter will then reply to this challenge with a response and, if correct, vehicle starting will occur.

This aerial is located in the centre of the rear compartment metal floor pan, near the seatback.

The rear compartment aerial is used for vehicle starting functions. When the ignition mode switch is pressed, the aerial is energised or "pinged". This emits a low frequency challenge signal that is received by the keyless entry transmitter. The transmitter will then reply to this challenge with a response and, if correct, vehicle starting will occur.

The remote control door lock receiver is located on the vehicle windscreen, directly in front of the inside rearview mirror.

The remote control door lock receiver is control by and directly communicates with the body control module (BCM). When the transmitter receives a low frequency challenge from an aerial, it responds with an RF message. This RF message is received by the remote control door lock receiver and communicated to the BCM. If the RF message is a valid response to the low frequency challenge, vehicle access or starting will be allowed.

The keyless entry immobiliser coil assembly is located in the upper instrument panel, directly beneath the upper instrument panel storage compartment. If the transmitter battery is dead, weak, or the RF signal is being interrupted, the extended transmitter key blade can be placed in the transmitter slot located in the upper instrument panel storage compartment, under the rubber mat, to create a low powered coupling between the transmitter and immobiliser aerial, allowing communications to occur and enabling vehicle starting.

The immobiliser aerial coil is controlled by the BCM. The immobiliser control module is also active when learning vehicle keys.

The keyless entry control module is a multi-function module which performs the following keyless entry system functions:

The BCM is a multi-function module that performs the following functions:

Momentarily press the transmitter UNLOCK button to perform the following functions:

Momentarily press the transmitter UNLOCK button a second time, within 5 seconds of the first press, to perform the following function:

Unlock the remaining doors and rear compartment

If enabled through personalisation, approach the driver door with a valid keyless entry transmitter and touch the lock sensor on the front door handle to perform the following functions:

Approach any non driver door (front or rear) or, if enabled through personalisation, the driver door with a valid keyless entry transmitter and touch the lock sensor on the front door handle to perform the following functions:

Press the transmitter LOCK button to perform the following functions:

Exit the vehicle (with vehicle off) with the keyless entry transmitter to automatically perform the following functions, if equipped.

When all doors are closed, they can also be locked from the exterior by touching the lock sensor on the outside of a front door handle while having a valid transmitter in range. This function is only active for several minutes after all doors are closed to save battery life.

If more than one keyless entry transmitter is within a vehicle and the keyless entry system detects that one or more transmitters have been left in the vehicle after vehicle is locked, any transmitter left within the vehicle will be temporarily deactivated until:

Approach the rear of the vehicle with a valid keyless entry transmitter. Press the boot release touch pad. The boot will open.

A single press of the panic button performs the following functions. Some functions may be dependent on personalization settings:

A press and hold of the panic button performs the following functions:

The remote start function allows an operator to pre-condition the vehicle interior prior to entering the vehicle. Remote start will allow the HVAC system and other vehicle systems to enable, providing a comfortable vehicle upon entry. Remote start functions have an operating range of up to 195 feet, depending on conditions. The remote start sequence begins by pressing and releasing the lock button and then pressing and holding the remote start buttons on the keyless entry transmitter. The turn signal lamps will illuminate to indicate the vehicle has received the remote start request. Each time a remote start is performed, the vehicle doors are locked, however they may then be unlocked/locked with the transmitter or vehicle key at any time. Once activated, the HVAC and vehicle systems are allowed to operate for 10 minutes. The remote start time may be extended by an additional 10 minute by again pressing and releasing the lock button and then pressing and holding the remote start buttons on the transmitter. This feature is called a remote start continue and allows a maximum of 20 minutes of system operation. If the remote start continue is performed at 7 minutes into the initial 10 minute time-out, a total of 17 minutes of systems operation would occur. The remote start event may be suspended at any time by pressing only the remote start button on the transmitter or by entering the vehicle and turning ON the hazard lamps.

In between ignition cycles, only two remote start events may occur or be attempted. Once two events or attempts have been made, future remote start events will be suspended until the vehicle is operated using the ignition mode switch.

Using the driver information centre, remote start may be enabled or disabled as a part of vehicle personalisation. Refer to the vehicle owners manual for more information.

If any of the conditions listed below occur, a remote start event may be aborted or cancelled:

Vehicle lock/unlock functions and remote start settings may be personalised for the vehicle. For functional descriptions and programming instructions, refer to the vehicle owners manual.

A REPLACE BATTERY IN REMOTE KEY message may be seen on the driver information centre when the transmitter's battery voltage has been lower than 2.16 volts for three consecutive ignition cycles.