Many weeks ago my 156 refused to open the central locking. Unlocked it
with the key (I've got the red key system) and the alarm went off. After
much slamming of doors and fiddling with the key it eventually worked
OK, and never bothered me again.

Came out this morning and the car was unlocked, so I assumed I'd
forgotten to lock it. Drove to uni (I'm a mature student!) as usual, no
problems.

Got in the car to go home - wouldn't start. I think it might have been
unlocked again. Radio was OK, hazards eventually came on (sounded like a
capacitor was trying to charge up), clicking noises from speedo, wipers
crept slowly across screen. Pressing the remote set the alarm and made
the indicators flash, but no locking. Battery tell-tale was green. But
try to put on ignition - nothing.

Called out breakdown service and he started it with a battery pack. He
reckoned the battery was fine, recommended I change the battery in the key.

When driving home I noticed the folowing:

1. The radio would cut off momentarily when braking - but not all the
time  - if I braked again it would be OK. It was only after several
minutes that I'd get the problem.

2. The front electric windows wouldn't go all the way down or all the
way up at once - needed two or three presses of the switch. However,
thee rears seemed all right and the sunroof was fine.

3. Once or twice I felt the car 'hiccup' very briefly - and it might
have been connected with my fiddling about with the windows in at least
one instant.

Got home, left it idling for 10 minutes and switched off. Left it
unlocked. Going to try and start it again in a little while with the
spare key. Wish me luck!

Halmyre