more on the fob

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DickLowman

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I see many discussions re fob problems, but have yet to see the ultimate solution. I know it is a long shot, but has anyone succeeded in replacing the fob with the old tried and true, sensible, key system, eliminating the fob totally? I find it odd that such a beautifully designed truck would settle for a problematic gadget.
 

FL-RAM

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My fob works just fine, but it's twice the size it needs to be. Don't know why they made them so big. My Grand Cherokee fob is about half the size. I had a rental Nissan last week for work and the fob was even smaller than the Jeep fob. I wish someone made an aftermarket fob.
 

mikeru

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I see many discussions re fob problems, but have yet to see the ultimate solution. I know it is a long shot, but has anyone succeeded in replacing the fob with the old tried and true, sensible, key system, eliminating the fob totally? I find it odd that such a beautifully designed truck would settle for a problematic gadget.

What kinds of problems are you having with it? I've had any zero issues with key fobs on any Ram I've owned (7). From what I've read, the majority of fob issues people post about were self inflicted. Like replacing incandescent bulbs with the wrong type of LED's. I'd say that's the most common cause. Another issue I've read about was caused by the LED bulb in someone's new garage door opener. Although some people would prefer having an actual key instead of a fob, my guess is that no one has converted their 5th gen or 4th gen to that. Regardless, your truck is under warranty. Have the dealership fix it and enjoy your new truck.
 

Rlaf75

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What type of problems are you having with the fob? My fob has been fine so far
 

Jerrybob

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My fob works just fine, but it's twice the size it needs to be. Don't know why they made them so big. My Grand Cherokee fob is about half the size. I had a rental Nissan last week for work and the fob was even smaller than the Jeep fob. I wish someone made an aftermarket fob.
Carry it in your front pocket.....impress the girls! LOL!
 
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DickLowman

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Actually my fob works, perhaps too good. The only pockets I have are in my bluejeans. Working in the shop, I bump it and it locks or beeps or whatever else it wants to do. At a campground I bumped it making coffee at 7:30 in the morning, the horn started blasting, and needless to say we were unpopular with the other campers. If I were still a teenager I might want the lump in my pocket, but at 78 it's a nuisance. So mainly I'm just old fashioned and would have willingly paid extra to RAM to have a normal key. That said, we love the new Tradesman in spite of the annoying fob. I'm not optimistic that it can be converted to a key, but just hopeful.
 

mikeru

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Sorry, I guess I misunderstood the reason for the thread. I assumed incorrectly that you were having issues with your fobs. The solution to your problem might be as simple as putting it in another pocket. Or keep it somewhere besides your pocket when you aren't driving the truck. Might be a little less convenient, but it might keep you from being scorned by your fellow campers.
 

Rlaf75

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Actually my fob works, perhaps too good. The only pockets I have are in my bluejeans. Working in the shop, I bump it and it locks or beeps or whatever else it wants to do. At a campground I bumped it making coffee at 7:30 in the morning, the horn started blasting, and needless to say we were unpopular with the other campers. If I were still a teenager I might want the lump in my pocket, but at 78 it's a nuisance. So mainly I'm just old fashioned and would have willingly paid extra to RAM to have a normal key. That said, we love the new Tradesman in spite of the annoying fob. I'm not optimistic that it can be converted to a key, but just hopeful.
I keep my fob on a carabiner clip hooked to my belt loop on my jeans or shorts. I hate having crap in my pockets so this works out great for me. I never had a problem with accidental discharge lol. At work I keep it clipped to my toolbox just so it doesn't get all nasty or damaged
 

GTyankee

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You can get a Transponder key
but you drivers door must have a key slot

But i don't think they make them for the 2022 Ram, i would check

You can find something like a smaller tobacco TIN, that will accept the size of your FOB

You can go one step further & make or buy a Faraday
A Faraday cage is suppose to stop the signal from transmitting

Just for the Heck of it, wrap your FOB in a couple layers of Aluminum Foil, that will make a basic Faraday Cage

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

I see some members are using a round key, sort of like a skeleton key
 

JayLeonard

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Can the panic button be reprogrammed so it doesn’t work? Mine set off the truck once and I was so far away I couldn’t believe it was my truck. Lol.
 

GTyankee

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If you open up the FOB case, look at the half of the case that has the buttons on it.
Inside of that half of the FOB, there are electrical contacts
Also there should be a GREEN Circuit Board

The electrical contact for the Panic Button can be covered, so that it does not touch the contact point on the green circuit board.

You can take a piece of a business card & lay it over the contact & tape that piece of paper in place
 

FL-RAM

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I've always wondered if the panic button is a law or something. Seems fairly useless and plays on unreasonable fears. When you hear a car alarm, does it get your attention or do you ignore it? Nobody goes running over to see what's going on.
 

JayLeonard

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If you open up the FOB case, look at the half of the case that has the buttons on it.
Inside of that half of the FOB, there are electrical contacts
Also there should be a GREEN Circuit Board

The electrical contact for the Panic Button can be covered, so that it does not touch the contact point on the green circuit board.

You can take a piece of a business card & lay it over the contact & tape that piece of paper in place
Thank you!
 

PolarisCobra

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Atcer2018

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Actually my fob works, perhaps too good. The only pockets I have are in my bluejeans. Working in the shop, I bump it and it locks or beeps or whatever else it wants to do. At a campground I bumped it making coffee at 7:30 in the morning, the horn started blasting, and needless to say we were unpopular with the other campers. If I were still a teenager I might want the lump in my pocket, but at 78 it's a nuisance. So mainly I'm just old fashioned and would have willingly paid extra to RAM to have a normal key. That said, we love the new Tradesman in spite of the annoying fob. I'm not optimistic that it can be converted to a key, but just hopeful.
It all comes down to personal preference. I’m 59 and after owning several vehicles with keyless entry, push button start and proximity handle door openers it’s something I’ve come to value. After purchasing my 2018 BigHorn the first thing I did was install the keyless-n-go upgrade. Cost back then was about $800 to add it in myself with OEM parts and a handmade harness. Now in 2022 I consider it money well spent. Yes I’ve accidentally hit the panic button several times but pressing the panic button again turns the alarm off.
 

alpinegreenneon

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If you have the slot for a key on the door handle, you can get a lollipop key which has the key blade for the lock cylinder and the transponder chip. I also hate fobs and when we ordered our 2018, I specifically asked for a real key and no fob. There is a lock cylinder in both doors and no lock/unlock button on the armrests. Not sure how similar the 4th gen Ram to the 5th gen Ram. There had to be parts for our 4th gen because it came that way from the factory.

Our Darts had fobs but I made lollipop keys for them and also put a key cylinder in the passenger door lock. Here is the link on the Dart forum:
 

GTyankee

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Lollipop Key ?

Do you men a Transponder Key, with a Chip in the Head ?

1660242803898.png
 

alpinegreenneon

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Look for google images Y170. The key head needs to match the ignition node part of the fob. There is a transponder chip in there that can be programmed with alfaOBD. The key blade can be cut to the same code as the emergency key in the fob.
s-l1600.jpg
 
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Jimmy07

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Look for google images Y170. The key head needs to match the ignition node part of the fob. There is a transponder chip in there that can be programmed with alfaOBD. The key blade can be cut to the same code as the emergency key in the fob.
View attachment 500006
But…technologically speaking, that key is no different than the fob without the key blade. The key blade doesn’t have anything to do with starting the truck, the ignition node and RF hub is still looking to make sure the fob portion of the key is married to the vehicle’s SKIM system.
All 5th gen rams have push button start, and that system is no more complex or prone to failure than the fob (or lollipop key fob) you insert into the ignition node. At that point, it’s just a matter of if you prefer to push something, or twist something to start the truck.
 
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