I was driving along in the Mrs Octavia yesterday and randomly the doors unlocked themselves and the radio turned off (stock headunit). I switched the headunit off and back on and it just shows 'phone' on the display, this is what it does when you turn the headunit on with the car OFF with the phone kit it has fitted. If I leave it on with 'phone' displayed and remove the keys it doesnt turn the headunit off or unlock the doors for me.

 

I tried restarting the car but no joy, it seems to think the key isnt in the ignition from what I can gather, at least as far as the headunit and doors are concerned. I've tried squirting WD40 down the ignition barrel and replaced the relay under the dash that had 100 on it (second in from the right I think) but neither have worked. Checked fuses and none seem dud, although I've now locked out the headunit to help matters. 

 

Where to look next? Am I looking a replacing the whole ignition barrel? 

 

Thanks for any help!

Edited 7 May, 201412 yr by matt1chelski

Funny things like this start to happen when the battery voltage is low. Often the cause is failure to charge caused by poor connection of the alternator cable at the fuses adjacent to the battery.

Look for overheating at the cable end and possibly melting of the plastic enclosure. If so, search on here for more details of how to fix.