More than a key fob battery

[limechallenger]

I originally had this post in Electronics and never received a response, si figured I'd try it here! So I've got a 2014 Ram 1500 4x4 Hemi ,I've been having issues with my key fob! Over the last winter I lost the remote start capability. It would work every once in a while, but it took 3 or 4 attempts for it to work. Replaced the battery in the fob , but problem remained. Now I get in the truck and it shows" no key fob detected "! I replaced the key fob battery again and it helped for a day or two, but then again "no key fob detected". If I hold the fob right next to the start button ,it will start! It's obviously not the key fob because I've changed batteries and switched fobs. Any ideas what else it could be?
Thanks!

 

[LeesEvoX]

There is a module in the cab somewhere. It's like a receiver for the fob. Every once in a while you get a bad one. Or they go bad.

Sorry. But that's about all the help I can give on this.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[limechallenger]

I would probably have to take it to the dealership to have it programmed wouldn't I?

 

[NJMOPAR]

Pop the circuit board out of the fob and make sure all the contact disks are in place on the rubber pad. If not, tweezers & super glue will fix the problem. Clean the board with alcohol.

 

[GTyankee]

When you bought the Ram, was it new or used ?

Is the Remote Start OEM or aftermarket ?

Are the 2 FOBs OEM ?
.............................................

If you bought it new or even if everything is stock as far as you know.

Spread something like a towel over a bench or table

Open up the FOBs
set the batteries to the side
Each FOB has a green printed circuit board
The Contacts get dirty with use

The part of the case with the buttons on it, has the other part of the contacts, they get dirty & quite often they come loose, they may be laying on the towel.

Do you have a friend that also has a key FOB that looks like yours & it works great for them.

Ask them if they would allow you to open up their FOB,
Then remove their Green Circuit board & replace it with yours
Then re-assemble their FOB with your Circuit Board & try to Remote start your Ram.

If your Ram starts, take your Circuit board out of the FOB & put theirs back into their FOB.

If it worked, you know that your Circuit Board is good & that the part of the case with the Panic/Lock & Unlock/ Start buttons is not functioning
............................................

That circuit board is programmed to your Ram & unless you break that circuit board, that circuit board will work in any good case of the same shape

You could buy a new or used case & drop your circuit board into it.
If that circuit board is not damaged & you have a different case of the same type
Your Fob should work

Brand new Fobs, as well as used ones, can be found on the website below

First this video explains a lot about FOBS


a good site to buy FOBs from

https://www.carandtruckremotes.com/

 

[limechallenger]

My key fob does not have the contact disc's, it has surface mount buttons. And my problem is the truck does not recognize the key fob.

 

[kad]

My key fob does not have the contact disc's, it has surface mount buttons. And my problem is the truck does not recognize the key fob.

That doesn't sound like an OEM FOB then. The OEM fobs on my '14 have the standard contact dics. Do they have the metal "RAM" on the back?

-K

 

[limechallenger]

OEM, Remote start, keyless entry, I have two ,and both have new batteries and the truck occasionally does not recognize either one.

 

[limechallenger]

Here's the back side

 

[NJMOPAR]

Just for giggles, open the TIPM and push down on all the fuses & relays. They have a tendency to unseat over time. Costs nothing to try.

 

[kad]

Here's the back side

View attachment 248534

Ah, not used to the internals of the touchless fobs.

-K

 

[limechallenger]

Here are the pics, but honestly ,I think the problem is in the truck, because with both of my remotes the truck occasionally does not recognize them!

 

[GTyankee]

You through me off, when you used the Acronym FOB
FOBIK
Frequency Operated Button Integrated Key

or what someone made up years back

Finger Operated Button Ignition Key

..............................................

What you have is a :

RKE Remote Keyless Entry .. should it not be called a KER, Keyless Entry Remote

I know, sometimes i am an

 

[Princeton_Man]

Do the lock/unlock buttons works as they should every time? If it's only the remote start that fails, I doubt it's the receiver. Have you tried disconnecting the truck's battery for a few minutes, then reconnecting?

Another thing to check might be the closed hood sensor. I know if my hood is up, remote start is disabled. It's also disabled if the alarm/panic has been activated.

 

[limechallenger]

Door lock/ unlock seems to work fine, keyless entry seems to work fine. Remote start takes 5-6 attempts ,sometimes not at all, but my problem is when I hop in the truck it says "KEY FOB NOT DETECTED" then I have to start the truck by pushing the start button physically with the key fob. I have pulled the battery cable in the past but not recently. I will try again.

 

[limechallenger]

Well ,I disconnected the truck battery and let it set for awhile, then reconnected. No problem so far! Maybe I just need to do that every couple weeks! Fingers crossed!

 

[Princeton_Man]

Well ,I disconnected the truck battery and let it set for awhile, then reconnected. No problem so far! Maybe I just need to do that every couple weeks! Fingers crossed!

Hopefully you won't have to do that every couple weeks, but if you do, that information might help you find out what needs replacing. Have you tried using a scanner to see if it's throwing any codes? Might be something to look at if it does it again.

 

[GTyankee]

Watch this from a customers point of view


Mechanics explanation

 

[GTyankee]

I found something that may or may not work

It can't hurt to try it
................................................................

How to Troubleshoot the Keyless Entry on a Dodge Ram 1500
BY MATTHEW FORTUNA


A popular standard and aftermarket option on the Dodge Ram 1500, the keyless entry system allows easy controlling of the car's doors, locks, trunk, panic alarm and often its automatic starting. The controllers for the Dodge Ram 1500 can stop working if too old or handled too roughly, but the problems can easily be fixed with a simple troubleshoot. Programming the keyless entry remote on your Dodge Ram 1500 will allow you to bypass the fee of getting it fixed by a mechanic.

Step 1

Enter your Dodge Ram 1500, and close the doors and trunk of your vehicle.

Step 2
Insert your Dodge Ram 1500 key into your car's ignition and click the key to the "On" position.

Step 3
Turn the dome light in your truck on and off three times in quick succession.

Step 4
Turn your key in the ignition back to the "Off" position. Complete Steps 2 through 4 within five seconds.

Remove your key from your Dodge Ram 1500's ignition and test the remote to see if the troubleshooting was successful.

 

[El Guapo Phil]

Seems to me you have the wrong fobs. Did you purchase the RAM new or used? If used, then the fobs are aftermarket.
Over time the fob contacts wear and will not make contact. Replacing with new batteries is not the solution as you have found.
Best to purchase OEM replacement like the above thread suggest and you should be good to go after programming at a reliable keysmith.