Range decrease in remote key fob - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Swytch · 05-10-2011, 01:26 PM

***UPDATE IN POST 25 ****

Hi all,

I have noticed over the last few weeks that the range on my keyfob to lock/unlock the door has decreased substanitally from what it used to be. I used to be able to activate the lock/unlock from 100 feet away (across the parking lot at my work) without fail. Now i have to be as close as 10 feet from the car for it to register. I thought at first that maybe the battery in the keyfob was dying, so i tried the spare key that came with it which i had never used, and it had the same range limitation.

My question is this.. Has anyone else had this issue? Any idea how to correct it or where to start looking? I found a post about remote start that said there was a link to the reduced range having something to do with the battery being low. As far as I can tell the battery is fine, i have checked it a few times with a multimeter and the voltage looks good. The only thing I changed when i started to notice this was the hookup of my diablosport trinity gauge to the OBD2 port, which stays plugged in all the time. I tried removing/unplugging the trinity for a day to see if it improved and it had no apparent affect so i am at a loss as to the cause.

Figured i would see if it was an easy fix before having to give up my baby to the dealership for an undisclosed amount of time...

2SSRS@Gen5diy · 05-10-2011, 01:27 PM

Looks like its time for a new battery.

Swytch · 05-10-2011, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2SSRS

Looks like its time for a new battery.

Ugh, already... :sigh: cars less than a year old, does GM really use batteries that are that weak, or did you mean the battery in the fob?

slick rick · 05-10-2011, 01:30 PM

Battery?

2SSRS@Gen5diy · 05-10-2011, 01:30 PM

battery in the fob, that seems like the first thing to try, or try your other key/fob

onechuck · 05-10-2011, 01:31 PM

It sound to me like the Battery in remote needs to be changed. Go and buy one and try it. You won't be out that much money for piece of mind.

Swytch · 05-10-2011, 01:32 PM

The other fob acts the same as this one now. Last year, when i first got it the range was great, and it was still fine when i took it out of storage for the winter (it was on a tender on and off to float the charge) however, after i re-attached the sub/amp (same setup as last year, literally just re-attached the wires) and installed the trinity the weekend after i got it out of storage this started happening..

Swytch · 05-10-2011, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2SSRS

battery in the fob, that seems like the first thing to try, or try your other key/fob

Hmm, well i guess thats a good point, ill go pick a new battery for the fob up tonight and see what happens. I guess the other fob could have a weak battery too..

2SSRS@Gen5diy · 05-10-2011, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onechuck

It sound to me like the Battery in remote needs to be changed. Go and buy one and try it. You won't be out that much money for piece of mind.

+1

BlueDragonVT · 05-10-2011, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swytch

Ugh, already... :sigh: cars less than a year old, does GM really use batteries that are that weak, or did you mean the battery in the fob?

Yes, you need to change the battery in the FOB, not your car battery.

slick rick · 05-10-2011, 01:37 PM

Hold the key/fob to your head while you press the button?

degros33 · 05-10-2011, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slick rick

Hold the key/fob to your head while you press the button?

That works with my Toyota Tacoma actually. Supposedly your head acts as an antenna...

n!ght r!der · 05-10-2011, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slick rick

Hold the key/fob to your head while you press the button?

put it under your chin

cab2g · 05-10-2011, 02:25 PM

This may sound dumb, but I've noticed that I have a much shorter range when I approach the car from behind. If I am facing the front of the car the range seems to be much further. Did you park differently recently? Just saying... I know it sounds dumb, but it'd be funny if that was it. I've had times when I had to be about 20 feet away from the car to unlock the doors then on other days it seemed like 100 feet.

05-10-2011, 01:26 PM	#1
Swytch Drives: 10 2SS/RS Black, 99 Daktota Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Maine Posts: 256	Range decrease in remote key fob *UPDATE IN POST 25 ** Hi all, I have noticed over the last few weeks that the range on my keyfob to lock/unlock the door has decreased substanitally from what it used to be. I used to be able to activate the lock/unlock from 100 feet away (across the parking lot at my work) without fail. Now i have to be as close as 10 feet from the car for it to register. I thought at first that maybe the battery in the keyfob was dying, so i tried the spare key that came with it which i had never used, and it had the same range limitation. My question is this.. Has anyone else had this issue? Any idea how to correct it or where to start looking? I found a post about remote start that said there was a link to the reduced range having something to do with the battery being low. As far as I can tell the battery is fine, i have checked it a few times with a multimeter and the voltage looks good. The only thing I changed when i started to notice this was the hookup of my diablosport trinity gauge to the OBD2 port, which stays plugged in all the time. I tried removing/unplugging the trinity for a day to see if it improved and it had no apparent affect so i am at a loss as to the cause. Figured i would see if it was an easy fix before having to give up my baby to the dealership for an undisclosed amount of time... __________________ Kooks Signature Series Headers 1-3/4 stepped to 1 7/8, Kooks 3" High Flow Cats, Vararam OTR Cold Air Intake, JRE Performance Tune, RX Catch Can, RX Oil Breather, LSR Tri-Ax short throw shifter, AAC Red/White Halos and Fog Rings, AAC Knight Rider Scanner Bar Last edited by Swytch; 05-23-2011 at 01:30 PM.

05-10-2011, 01:30 PM	#4
slick rick SoCal Mayhem Drives: 2010 Camaro 1SS/RS Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Foothill Ranch, CA Posts: 5,488 View My Garage	Battery? __________________

05-10-2011, 01:32 PM	#7
Swytch Drives: 10 2SS/RS Black, 99 Daktota Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Maine Posts: 256	The other fob acts the same as this one now. Last year, when i first got it the range was great, and it was still fine when i took it out of storage for the winter (it was on a tender on and off to float the charge) however, after i re-attached the sub/amp (same setup as last year, literally just re-attached the wires) and installed the trinity the weekend after i got it out of storage this started happening.. __________________ Kooks Signature Series Headers 1-3/4 stepped to 1 7/8, Kooks 3" High Flow Cats, Vararam OTR Cold Air Intake, JRE Performance Tune, RX Catch Can, RX Oil Breather, LSR Tri-Ax short throw shifter, AAC Red/White Halos and Fog Rings, AAC Knight Rider Scanner Bar

05-10-2011, 01:37 PM	#11
slick rick SoCal Mayhem Drives: 2010 Camaro 1SS/RS Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Foothill Ranch, CA Posts: 5,488 View My Garage	Hold the key/fob to your head while you press the button? __________________

05-10-2011, 02:25 PM	#14
cab2g love. my. car. Drives: 2011 2SS/RS Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Chicago Posts: 3,372 View My Garage	This may sound dumb, but I've noticed that I have a much shorter range when I approach the car from behind. If I am facing the front of the car the range seems to be much further. Did you park differently recently? Just saying... I know it sounds dumb, but it'd be funny if that was it. I've had times when I had to be about 20 feet away from the car to unlock the doors then on other days it seemed like 100 feet. __________________

05-10-2011, 01:27 PM	#2
2SSRS@Gen5diy Drives: 2014 Z/28 #82+#192, 18ZLE 66Nova Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: By the lake in AZ Posts: 15,719 View My Garage	Looks like its time for a new battery.

05-10-2011, 01:31 PM	#6
onechuck Onechuck Drives: 2010 Camaro IBM 2SS\RS SC & Cammed Join Date: May 2009 Location: White Oak Tx Posts: 503	It sound to me like the Battery in remote needs to be changed. Go and buy one and try it. You won't be out that much money for piece of mind.

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