Key fob, broken?
12-28-2009, 10:23 AM
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Key fob, broken?
Hey guys, my Driver #1 fob has been on the fritz recently, and ive been having trouble getting it to work. It started out fine, and then randomly didnt work every once and a while. Now it doesnt work at all, like the battery is dead, but there is a new battery in it. Do I need a new fob or can this one be repaired somehow?
12-28-2009, 12:18 PM
#2
Drifting
Member Since: Jun 2006
Location: Delray Beach Florida
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there is away to reset the fob. something about putting it in the glove box i think.
But what i really wanna comment on is, do you have an iphone or a phone with 3G? if so thats the cause of alot of fob problems. keep them in seperate pockets
But what i really wanna comment on is, do you have an iphone or a phone with 3G? if so thats the cause of alot of fob problems. keep them in seperate pockets
12-28-2009, 12:45 PM
#3
Race Director
The slot in the glove box doesn't actually re-set the Fob, but it provides the best 'connection' to the car in case you are in an area of high RF interference or the Fob battery is low.
If the car's battery is low, you can have problems with the Fob/etc. as well.
And as already mentioned, a cell phone/charger can affect the Fob too.
If the car's battery is low, you can have problems with the Fob/etc. as well.
And as already mentioned, a cell phone/charger can affect the Fob too.
12-28-2009, 12:53 PM
#4
Team Owner
Actually, the slot in the glove box seems to work even if the fob battery is dead, as long as you leave the battery in the fob to complete the connection.
You might want to check the battery placement in the fob, just to be sure you put the positive side down.
Have not read any threads about fob repair. You may have to talk to the dealer if the other suggestions earlier in this thread don't work.
You might want to check the battery placement in the fob, just to be sure you put the positive side down.
Have not read any threads about fob repair. You may have to talk to the dealer if the other suggestions earlier in this thread don't work.
12-28-2009, 06:50 PM
#6
Burning Brakes
I bought my car used and my #1 FOB never worked very well. I read all the post about radio interference but none of that made any sense because it was so random. I took it to the dealer while it was still under warranty and they replaced both FOBs.
Moral of this long story... Yes it is probably bad.
The new FOBs work right next to my cellphone, and any other electronic device that might be near by. I think there is vary little interference while around other electronic devices.
Moral of this long story... Yes it is probably bad.
The new FOBs work right next to my cellphone, and any other electronic device that might be near by. I think there is vary little interference while around other electronic devices.
12-28-2009, 06:57 PM
#7
Melting Slicks
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12-28-2009, 07:52 PM
#9
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Fob #2 works fine, just number one, its probably toast ill have to get a new one, anyone know the best place to order one? Thanks for the input guys, really appreciated
12-28-2009, 08:51 PM
#10
Team Owner
Since it is unlikely that the fob has gone bad, though certainly possible, I would first make sure the battery is oriented properly and the contacts are clean, then try it in the glovebox slot and see if it will start the car also. Fobs are expensive....
12-28-2009, 09:02 PM
#11
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Glovebox works fine with fob #1, And I used CRC contact cleaner on the whole inside of the fob, maybe its eatin through batteries for some reason? Is this a common problem of some sort?
12-31-2009, 01:39 AM
#12
Team Owner
No, this is not something I have heard of before. I can only figure that it is a power problem, as every fob that I have seen that works in the slot but not in the car...has had either a dead battery or an upside down battery. It could be that one of the battery contacts is broken, but I just can't figure any other explanation than a power problem. CRC is good stuff too, I have some. Sorry I can't be of more help.
12-31-2009, 07:44 AM
#13
Le Mans Master
I always want to point out that the new battery that you buy is occasionally no better than the one you are replacing. Before spending a lot of money on a new FOB, try exchanging the batteries from #1 and #2.
12-31-2009, 03:56 PM
#15
Corvette Enthusiast
Member Since: Oct 2005
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Things like the way you hold the fob (angle) and the angle you approach the car from have great effects on the RF signal that the fob sends out.
If you want the best possible range on your fob, hold it next to your eye pointed directly at your car and hit a button (the reason when next to your eye you can get the angle perfect to your vision and thus aimed directly at the vehicle which makes for a better signal). It sounds crazy but it works.
If you keep your key clipped to your belt or in your pocket try pointing the top end toward the car by rotating it correctly, this also makes the connection better. RF is very "line of sight" sensitive.
If you want the best possible range on your fob, hold it next to your eye pointed directly at your car and hit a button (the reason when next to your eye you can get the angle perfect to your vision and thus aimed directly at the vehicle which makes for a better signal). It sounds crazy but it works.
If you keep your key clipped to your belt or in your pocket try pointing the top end toward the car by rotating it correctly, this also makes the connection better. RF is very "line of sight" sensitive.
01-01-2010, 08:27 AM
#16
Le Mans Master
Things like the way you hold the fob (angle) and the angle you approach the car from have great effects on the RF signal that the fob sends out.
If you want the best possible range on your fob, hold it next to your eye pointed directly at your car and hit a button (the reason when next to your eye you can get the angle perfect to your vision and thus aimed directly at the vehicle which makes for a better signal). It sounds crazy but it works.
If you keep your key clipped to your belt or in your pocket try pointing the top end toward the car by rotating it correctly, this also makes the connection better. RF is very "line of sight" sensitive.
If you want the best possible range on your fob, hold it next to your eye pointed directly at your car and hit a button (the reason when next to your eye you can get the angle perfect to your vision and thus aimed directly at the vehicle which makes for a better signal). It sounds crazy but it works.
If you keep your key clipped to your belt or in your pocket try pointing the top end toward the car by rotating it correctly, this also makes the connection better. RF is very "line of sight" sensitive.
Have you ever looked inside the FOB? The antenna isn't on the top. Covering the FOB with your hand could have a small effect but pointing it like it was a rifle is I've opened my rear hatch from about 100 yards simply by holding it away from my body. i.e. hold it at about shoulder height in the direction of the car. If I am within 150 feet the panic button works even with the FOB in my pocket. (Nice for when you forget where you parked.)
01-01-2010, 01:47 PM
#17
Corvette Enthusiast
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Have you ever looked inside the FOB? The antenna isn't on the top. Covering the FOB with your hand could have a small effect but pointing it like it was a rifle is I've opened my rear hatch from about 100 yards simply by holding it away from my body. i.e. hold it at about shoulder height in the direction of the car. If I am within 150 feet the panic button works even with the FOB in my pocket. (Nice for when you forget where you parked.)RF is like voodoo, when you see how it actually works you are like "Really?" I used to work for a company that makes keys, so I spent some time picking the brains of the RF folks.
