Car Alarms: Subaru Impreza Car Alarm, subaru impreza, brain box

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
I have 2003 Subaru Impreza and lately the central locking wouldn't open immediately when I try to open with remote, especially in the early cold mornings or the car isn't used for 3 days or more. I have to wait for about 2 minutes or more and then it would open.
I didn't notice it was like that when it was only 2 or 3 years old. There's no problem opening the door with remote if it is in the afternoon or warm weather. The battery is only 1 year old.

thanks,
Novelene

ANSWER: It could be anything from a bad or week transmitter,
to the after market system in this car. Cold
weather can play a part certainly, but it's also
likey that the remote can be or is going bad.
Could be a range impairment too.

Does this happen at random and just anywhere,
or in just one location all the time?

RM-ALARMTEK

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: It happens anywhere whenever it is cold.
I have the spare remote which I never use and wouldn't open when I tried with it.
To give more detail of what's happening: I usually go to work around 8am. It's getting cold these days in the morning (I am in Australia by the way) and the door wouldn't open straight away. I have to keep pressing the remote for a minute or two.
I park the car at train station roof top carpark. And if I lock the door using remote, it takes another minute or two again (in cold weather). When I come back around 6pm, the door opens immediately on the first try.
I assume the car is under the sun the whole day and it helps the mechanism works well again.
Thanks in advance,
Novelene

Answer
Try having a good installer re position the
brain box antenna under the dash higher in the under
dash to try to improve the range, but if being
affected by cold weather, it might be a good
idea to change out the old, under performing
system, for a new system with superior range
and a more reliable track record in this kind
of environment.

If you have a chance, take this in to an after market
alarm/stereo shop for evaluation/repair to be certain.
It can even be a frozen door lock mechanism which
Subaru or, a good mechanic can service it for you and
keep it well greased/oiled for ease of movement.

Let me know what you discover here & G'day! ;>)

RM.