Phantom 2006 Sonata trunk opener

I had this happen for the second time yesterday morning, so I'm
wondering what is going on and if anyone has experienced this.

Twice now I've went out to my Sonata in the morning to find the trunk
released and the trunk ajar light lit. The first time I just thought my
wife or kids had forget to close it or something. However, this second
time nobody was near the car from the time I parked it until the next
morning. And I live in a very rural area so it is unlikely to be
somebody else and nothing from the trunk, including my tools, was missing.

I'm wondering if the car could be picking up interference from something
in my house. The night prior to the second time, I was using my laptop
and wireless router extensively. Hard to believe this could pop the
trunk, but who knows.

Anyone else have their Sonata trunk release unexpectedly?


Matt

 

In rural situations with few trees some of this stuff can go out a mile
or so (I've seen it happen with garage door openers)...

No, but my 01 Hyundai Santa Fe's key fob 'unlock' button repeatedly
caused an 01-ish Elantra on the other side of the road from my friend's
house's alarm to go off. Clicked again, it shut off. My guess is the
code used on my fob for unlock is the same as their fob for panic.

Scary part - I'm fairly certain they could unlock my SF by hitting the
panic button.

My Explorer's alarm used to randomly go off (codealarm-built ford
dealer-installed system) when visiting my grandparents near Missouri
City, TX. They lived only a couple miles from the "loudest" TV and FM
transmitters in the Houston market, and every other bit of crap they can
hang on those very tall towers. I always figured there was a pager
system operating on a nearby frequency and the tones generated were
tricking the alarm.

JS

 

I had it happen a few more than two times, but all of them I could
attribute to either myself or my son either inadvertantly pushing the
button, or laying something on top of the key fob that could easily have
done it. I am willing to bet that something similar happened on your
end even if you didn't see it or know about it. If you have a hook
somewhere, try hanging the keys up. It hasn't happened again to me
since I put up a hook for myself that my kids can't reach (although my
daughter is only 3 months old and only has a VERY slim chance of pushing
the button

Oh, also, I once did it myself in my pocket when my pocket knife decided
to press the button due to the position I was sitting in.

Eric

 

Yes, I thought about that also and it certainly is possible. Now that
it has happened twice, I'm going to pay more attention to see if I can
determine what caused it should it happen again.

My keys are kept where it is very unlikely that they would be hit, but
certainly once they are in my pocket it is possible that a button might
get pushed accidentally.

Matt

 

Funny you should mention this Matt... I thought I was going crazy. Twice
now I've gone out to the car in the morning and found the trunk open. It
could be that I've triggered it from the remote without realizing it,
but I'm fairly sure something odd is going on.

-B

 

Well, let's keep an eye on it and compare notes. I'm going to get the
laptop out again and see if my trunk is open in the morning.


Matt

 

I actually got used to it with my Elantra's, as the buttons on the key
fob were hardly recessed at all. I thought the Sonata would be better
since the buttons seem to be much more recessed. I guess overall it is
better, but still not as good as I would like it to be. Two or three
times I have been sitting on the opposite side of my house from the
garage and heard the cars panic alarm going off!!

The weird thing about the trunk though is that the button needs to be
pushed and held for like 2-3 seconds. You would think that would
eliminate most of the accidents.

I have three laptops in the house and a WiFi router set up in my garage
(all 54g). I guess that could be a possibility too. But with all the
security codes and stuff I would think it to be unlikely.

Eric

 

Yes, I agree it seems unlikely, I'm just trying to consider all of the
possibilities. My trunk takes only maybe a second of button holding
before it pops, but even that should prevent most inadvertant openings.

Matt

 

Happened to me once Matt. I attributed it to being triggered in my pocket
full of junk.

There is so much RF filling the air these days that I'm surprised there
aren't more incidents of this nature.