Muhahahahaha... the old make random cars stall so their owners have to hire a tow truck scam.

Oh you wacky New Yorkers, what will you think of next?

'The Empire Building Strikes Back'. Could make a great movie.

all your cars, are belong to Mayor Bloomberg

Here in Seattle, there was an Alfa Spider that refused to run at the top of Queen Anne hill. It would drive fine anywhere else, but would sputter to death at the summit. We couldn't figure it out, until we noticed the TV towers...

Its leona Helmsley's ghost cursing any car with an MSRP under $95,000

haha. you kids and your newfangled electronic stuff in cars. serves you right. need more efficient fuel control? just add another 4 barrel.

So the terrorist did win...

Heh, we've got a radio tower about 5 blocks from our house. I can't open the garage till I'm in the driveway.

My friend couldn't get into his F250 that was parked in the street, I told him the trick was to put the keyfob right by the vin tag on the windshield and it usually works.

but it sure do look purdy from afar...
so is the zeppelin mooring point going to interfere as well?

So, who can I contact to get a reimbursement for the $1,000 i just spent fixing my car -- the computer died when I parked it on 38th. I thought it was just bad luck just having to work till 3 am that night (no, I'm not a hooker) but now I see that I was just a fly in the web of a broader anti-car conspiracy!

Did anyone consider the rate of the number of cars actually in the area?

More vehicles = More broke down vehicles

Just a thought

I can absolutely attest to that. Any time i park in that area, the remote for my car doesn't work. I basically have to open the car with the key and disable the alarm from INSIDE the vehicle.

@JCWhitless: Some of us don't take kindly to simple reasoning and logic 'round here son.

On a serious note, do you think a Tiddy Bear would help?

Watch your nutz!

Aliens

I have the same problem getting my dog to poop near the Chrysler building.

So I have an office there, and my boy's new S class was dead as shit in the garage. After towing it across town, the fucker fired right up.

We are being told that parts of the broadcasting system are not properly shielded. When asked when they would properly shield it, they gave us a look like we just shat in the pope's mouth.

The best is when the tour buses die right out front.

About a year ago, my Aunt and her husband drove down from Illinois in their Tundra to pick up an '01 Mercedes E320 we were giving them(It had been my grandmother's). It ran fine, probably had less than 15,000 miles on it. On the way back, she drove the E320, he drove the Tundra. They had those little two-way radios so they could speak to each other.

Everything was fine, they were on the interstate, and they started talking on the radios. The E320 completely shut down; engine cut off, lights went off, everything. They coasted to the site of the road, and called a tow truck. He towed it to the shop, where they disconnected and reconnected the battery. Everything was fine again.

Apparently(not sure I believe it, but they said it did), there is even a part in the owner's manual that says to not talk on two way radios in it or it will interfere with the car's electronics. The miraculous springing back to life still didn't stop them from trading it in on a Passat wagon.

Paging Doctor Venkman, white courtesy telephone.

"The FCC said it has not received any complaints regarding interference affecting autos in midtown"

So individual people have to diagnose the problem themselves and tell you what's wrong before you take any action? Thanks, FCC.

I have a friend who lives on 35th and he told me everyone in his building and in the neighborhood knows this-it's been going on for years.

And you thought all those special effects on "Ghostbusters" were fake...

@htrodblder: that was on last night on VH1. the only reason to watch VH1, as a matter of fact.

"You have five minutes to unlock your cube."

@WarShrike: perhaps one could actually place the key into the door lock...

Oooh, it sounds like a stinky movie premise for Cloverfield II: The Empire Fights Back.

@cardesignmike: That, and how we all remember how great the 80's really were. Although that could've just been Ghostbusters causing it.

@JCWhitless:
Just curious.
Is your real name "The Original Warshawsky & Co.?"

They need to wrap that building in aluminum foil...

Oh, wait...I can fix it.

I am The Keymaster. Where's Sigorney?

@parkslump: Hahahaha, ROFL. I LOLd at that one.

So...do cars start up ok at the Denver International Airport?

Shielding is the answer! Tin, copper and tape around the ECU...or even cover it in fabric!

[www.lessemf.com]

That does it. The next time I drive into Manhattan, I'm wrapping my Escalade EXT entirely in aluminum foil.

There's this think called a keyhole that can be used by putting the key into it and turning. Then putting it into the ignition should also be turned. Freaks I'm from NY and how can so many cars be towed of people who can't figure this way to get the car running. I guess it's known as the stupid tax.

There are parts of nyc that used to interfere with my last car's alarm system. A serious problem because I could not get the car started without using the remote. I found that I could get the alarm off by going to the brain in the trunk and putting the remote right up to the brain's antenna. Sometimes it would still take 5 minutes of clicking before unlocking the alarm. A real pain. So, yes, verified. This is absolutely true. And not just by the empire state, but other parts as well.

@Hello_Newman: Many cars in nyc have an alarm that cuts off power to the ignition, so they're aren't stupid, but maybe you are for not knowing that.

Same thing with the Sears Tower. I work across the street from it. When I park my car down there half the time I am out there 'dancing' to unlock my car. Waving the remote all around. Eventually, it will open up and sometimes start. This happens with all 3 of my cars. The first time I called up the dealer and they towed my car and as soon as we got it about a mile away. No problems at all. It was worse with my cars that had after market alarm systems and especially the ones equipped with remote start. I first noticed this in 1997.

I bet it has something to do with the engine immobilizer keys manufacturers are putting on cars now. A transmitter in the car has to "see" the chip in the key before the car will start. Its a wireless signal so I'm sure its open to interference.

I could possibly buy it interfering with OnStar. One could hope.

Unfortunately, even on my '02 Impreza, the car alarm will go off if I attempt to unlock any of the doors with just the key.

The remote FOB must be used to unlock the doors.

If there is a lot of radio interference in the area, I'll open the door with key, set off the alarm, and then once I'm inside the vehicle, the FOB signal seems to work better.

Stupid tax.. heh, naw, keys are just getting useless