Key and radio issues with my new 04 Bora

[ajbaker]

Having been looking around for a Bora for several months I finally decided on an 04 Bora 150 TDI ST or Sport depending on who you ask. It's a joy to drive and am really enjoying finding its little nuances etc. Most impressive is finding the little extras the garage knew nothing of - namely the winter pack!

I do however have a couple of issues which don't make sense, and wondered if anyone could shed some light on the issue:

1. My second key does not work remotely. I have no problems using it manually to open and start the car, but even though the little red light on the fob blinks when I press a button, the car does nothing. I have tried 'syncing' the car and fob as the manual suggests by pressing open and then using the key to open the door. This did not work. Am I correct to assume the battery must be almost flat, rather than something more sinister?

2. The standard GAMMA radio appears to be rubbish. Previously in a 96 Almera with a 2002 Alpine CD headset I could listen to Radio 1 and 2 all the way to work (40 miles) with no loss of reception.

a) Attempting the same in the Bora results in degrading reception on a regular basis.

b) When I turn the ignition on the radio is turned on (if on when turning ignition off) but no radio station is selected and playing. I have to use the station list buttons to select a station.

c) I can store a station using buttons 1-6 but when it comes to selecting the station using one of these, the radio is muted, the number appears on screen but the station name remains the same as before. The only way to change station is to use the << >> buttons.

d) When listening to the radio the manual suggests pressing RDS should turn RDS on and off. This only occasionally works and I cannot identify the state the radio needs to be in for it to do so.

e) The whole Traffic Program (TP) thing has me confused - in my previous car I could press Traffic and the radio would tune itself to a station the next time I bulletin was presented. In the Bora, pressing TP takes you to a different station immediately. I cannot work out how to get back to a normal station while leaving the TP function activated.

f) At one point I had the time displayed on the headset. There is no mention of this in the manual and I have no idea how!

So does any of this sound typical or is something very strange going on? Is there anything I can do, or should I perhaps be considering a new headset? (Am thinking of this anyway due to a pending iPhone purchase.)

3) What are the chances of this car having a microphone built in for a phone? ie if I purchased a VW phone adapter for my current SE would it 'just work' or was the microphone an extra?

Any thoughts appreciated.

[Nick SR]

Hi, Glad your enjoying your new Bora,

Have you tried replacing the Battery in the second key fob? If not definately worth doing.

On the radio front, i have experienced the same in my new bora, it does perculiar things like turn the volume off completely if i try and turn it up. To cut this short i am going to install either a sony or alpine aftermarket unit.

Nick

[ajbaker]

Nick, thank you for your comments. Can I ask how old your Bora is?

I havent yet tried a new battery in the fob. I have however just tried the existing battery in my alarm clock remote which happens to also use a 3v battery. It works fine. Appreciate this doesn't prove anything so will try again tonight when the car is returned to my care!

[Nick SR]

Its a Dec 2005, 55 plate tdi and its done 26k