Keyless Entery cars

Hi to All in Pacemaker World. I have a DDDR twin wire PM fitted for the last 4years with no problems. I am a mechanic and have an easy job. Last week I was told of a promotion but it means having to work on vehicles that are fitted with Keyless entery systems. Has anyone come across interferences from these vehicles. I was told by a friend of mine who works on lexus vehicles that the system used 3 or 4 years did effect PM's. Any body have anything on this subject.
PM has never given me any problems I still race my bicycle and train hard. At the last check everything was OK and it should last another 4 years. 9 in total.

Best Regards
Eamonn

12 Comments

Keyless entry

by pacergirl - 2011-12-25 09:12:31

Here is what I have found at this link about just what you were talking about.
http://www.smart-heart-living.com/pacemaker-and-keyless-car-ignition.html

I was very surprised by what I read. I have keyless entry, but not keyless remote start.

Thank you for asking the question. If it has been asked before, I must have missed it.

Pg

Give St Jude a Call

by ElectricFrank - 2011-12-26 01:12:34

Call the number on your ID card and ask to talk to an engineer if possible. I have a Medtronic and they are very helpful with this sort of question.

The other thing to consider is the condition that resulted in your need for a pacer. About the worse the interference can do is to interrupt pacing and cause you to revert to where you were before getting the pacer. The more likely result would be for the pace to revert to a fixed pacing rate. In either case all you need to do is move away from the interference source or release the button on the cars remote control and no harm has been done.

My personal take on the whole situation is that the pacemaker manufacturers or the FDA would require a warning about such systems. It would be too risky for a pacer recipient to drive such a car if there is a problem. I have a CB in my Jeep with only a fiberglass top between me and the antenna. It is much higher power than the remote entry. I've never had a problem.

frank

Reply to all

by Eao - 2011-12-26 06:12:37

Thanks to All for the replies,
Frank my problem is that I will be working on these cars 8 hours a day 5 days a week. As these are new cars been prepared for distribution to a dealer network I will have to test all the electrical components including lock/unlock and starting systems etc. So exposure would be to a greater level than what the ordinary person would experience.
Do you know if bluetooth can cause interferene?
If there is an interruption and I revert back to before the pacemaker was fitted, it could disastrous as when it happened before I would collapse, bang my head and knock myself out. So its a dilemma I need to sort out.

Thanks for your help Frank
Best regards
Eamonn

Go to...

by donr - 2011-12-26 12:12:44

...a thread by a woman called lriggins. the thread is called "Driving." There's a whole lot of info on your issue.

Good luck.

Don

keyless cars

by Hot Heart - 2011-12-27 03:12:46

spend a fair amount of time driving one and being a passenger, not had a problem. Only problem i had in a car was the massive speakers in my sons sports car sent me a bit panicky! Was probably the music! lol

Work

by Eao - 2011-12-27 04:12:02

Hi Guys will know if there is any problems as I am back to work for the next 3 days.

Best regards
Eamonn

Exposure

by ElectricFrank - 2011-12-27 12:12:10

The effect on the pacemaker isn't affected by cumulative exposure. If there a problem you would know about it in seconds. If not not you could sit there for hours without a problem.

Bluetooth is generally very low power. I have a Bluetooth keyboard I use in my lap for remoting my computer. No problem.

(I just went in the other room and held it right over my pacer while keying commands. Still no problem).

frank

today at work

by Eao - 2011-12-28 05:12:47

Hi Guys
was back in work today and there was no problems with the PM and vehicles with Keyless entry.

BR
Eamonn

Not a problem

by Eao - 2012-01-08 03:01:09

Hi Guys,
Happy New Year to All.
have done 8.5 days work some longer than others in and out of keyless entry Audi's and no interference from any of them. Happy Days.

BR
Eamonn

Microwave ovens operate at same Freq as keyless entry

by wjhughes420384 - 2012-01-15 10:01:32

Keyless entry systems work in the 2500 MHz region. If your pacemaker has a transmitter/reciever it operates around 412MHz. PMs have been pretty well insulated against microwave ovens, which are way higher power than keyless entry systems (they are also sheilded to prevent RF energy from getting out). your wireless wifi also operates at these frequencies, as do many cordless phones and your cell phone if it has wifi.

I have a 7 series BMW with keyless entry and blind spot radars. never had a problem. I do know that if i put my cell phone in the same pocket as my car key fob, the keyless system will not work. the cell phone jams it! That certainly implies that the cell phone is putting out a more powerful signal than the keyless entry system.

i just checked my user manual, no mention of pacemakers.

I think Nissan is just covering their asses with this warning.

Mechanic

by wandoloswki - 2012-02-01 02:02:15

I used to be a mechanic had problems when I leaned over a running engine my pacer would wack out without it I pass out. They said it was the generator. I know a person who got zapped by ignition coil and his leads burned in his heart had to go to emergency. Could have stayed as a mechanic and just be careful not to get too close to generators on the vehicles. The shop I worked at was old and the electric hoist motors when u pushed the button on the hoist to raise it u had to lean right up to the motor and that didn't not pan out too well either. I was using a stick to push the button. I mean could they have put the button somewhere else on the hoist. Tried to get a light mechanic job but no one would take the risk here, so I changed careers to computers. Learning programming of the CAN network and Powernet. Also internet security.

10 minths later

by Eao - 2012-10-09 05:10:07

Just to update All pacemaker people I worked on keyless entry cars for 4 months and did not have any problems with the pacemaker. At my last check up in Aug 12 there was no problems recorded. There is still 3 yrs left in it (fitted in 2007), not bad for a guy who was told I would need one every 5 yrs.

BR
Eao

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