AlfaOBD programmed a replacement Key fob ok but it stopped working

[Jacob Maguire]

Similar issues here.... 2015 Ram 1500 Laramie with push button start. Single/primary key fob dead. Cannot unlock truck so I leave her unlocked. Have to start truck by pressing primary fob to start push button. I have a new, never programmed Amazon replacement key fob. Own AlfaOBD and can establish connection with RF HUB. Pulled PIN with no issue. Accessed "Program Ignition FOBIKs Highline System" and tapped Start:

1. with truck in ACC mode I get error stating must be in LOCK POSITION.
2. with truck in RUN mode (with engine off) I get error stating must be in LOCK POSITION.
3. Truck was running, then switched to OFF without opening any door. With truck in OFF mode, the process runs but says "procedure failed" or something close to that.

Rebooted tablet with Alpha to no avail.
Considering replacing the 'replacement fob' with another and re-trying.
Read many many threads on this.....
Out of ideas.....
Anyone have another thought on this?

beginning to consider the stealership route....

 

[metalchewy]

Similar issues here.... 2015 Ram 1500 Laramie with push button start. Single/primary key fob dead. Cannot unlock truck so I leave her unlocked. Have to start truck by pressing primary fob to start push button. I have a new, never programmed Amazon replacement key fob. Own AlfaOBD and can establish connection with RF HUB. Pulled PIN with no issue. Accessed "Program Ignition FOBIKs Highline System" and tapped Start:

1. with truck in ACC mode I get error stating must be in LOCK POSITION.
2. with truck in RUN mode (with engine off) I get error stating must be in LOCK POSITION.
3. Truck was running, then switched to OFF without opening any door. With truck in OFF mode, the process runs but says "procedure failed" or something close to that.

Rebooted tablet with Alpha to no avail.
Considering replacing the 'replacement fob' with another and re-trying.
Read many many threads on this.....
Out of ideas.....
Anyone have another thought on this?

beginning to consider the stealership route....

With my wife's pushbutton 2014 challenger the Amazon cheepies failed to complete the procedure on the pem module. The only way I could get proximity working was with a mopar key. Like $90 vs the Amazon $30 one.

This was the process that worked for it:
Post in thread 'AlfaOBD programmed a replacement Key fob ok but it stopped working' https://www.ramforum.com/threads/al...ok-but-it-stopped-working.198291/post-2974291

 

[Jacob Maguire]

metalchewy, thanks for the response. I've reviewed your post in the other thread. As my vehicle is push-to-start button equipped, I must skip step 3. And sadly, due to the "ignition locked position" error, I'm unable to complete step 4. This is where I hit a wall.

===================
1. Connect obd dongle, and press the button to run without starting the engine, open alfaobd, connect to RFH, scroll down for pin code, write down.
2. Backup your configuration in Alfa.
3. Pry off the keyless enter n go button, and you will find a keyhole, insert the new key, (you will see a red dot on the dashboard flashing, cuz the key is not registered) and switch it to the run position.
4. Find add or replace fobik from RFH menu in alfaobd, enter the code written down and click start. If it is successful, the red dot on the dashboard vanished and the beeping stopped.
5. Connect to central lock module in alfaobd, click replace PEM and enter the code written down.
6. Turn key to Off and remove. Reinstall push button.
7. Take original key in the house so it doesn't sense that key in the 3-6 ft range of the proximity sensors.
8. Start and run around the block, With the new key. Park and turn it off.
9. Put in on position and backup configuration in alfaobd.
10. Turn everything off and start and drive normally with your new fob...
===================

 

[Dean2]

Trying to save money with the amazon clones means you value your time at zero. Go get an OEM fob, your time is worth way more than the 100 dollar difference.

 

[Ken226]

I've bought several used OEM key fobs from this eBay seller.

Pardon Our Interruption...

2 for my ram and 1 for the wife's 2022 Durango. Its a locksmith on the east coast. So far, all have programmed with no trouble.

If course, use your own judgement, as I can't guarantee that my luck will transfer over.

But, his listing says he'll accept returns within 30 days, but I've not had to return one yet.

The Durango is 5th gen, so I had to use Jscan to program it, and it did indeed work. My Ram is a 2013, so I was able to use Alfa with it.

 

[metalchewy]

metalchewy, thanks for the response. I've reviewed your post in the other thread. As my vehicle is push-to-start button equipped, I must skip step 3. And sadly, due to the "ignition locked position" error, I'm unable to complete step 4. This is where I hit a wall.

===================
1. Connect obd dongle, and press the button to run without starting the engine, open alfaobd, connect to RFH, scroll down for pin code, write down.
2. Backup your configuration in Alfa.
3. Pry off the keyless enter n go button, and you will find a keyhole, insert the new key, (you will see a red dot on the dashboard flashing, cuz the key is not registered) and switch it to the run position.
4. Find add or replace fobik from RFH menu in alfaobd, enter the code written down and click start. If it is successful, the red dot on the dashboard vanished and the beeping stopped.
5. Connect to central lock module in alfaobd, click replace PEM and enter the code written down.
6. Turn key to Off and remove. Reinstall push button.
7. Take original key in the house so it doesn't sense that key in the 3-6 ft range of the proximity sensors.
8. Start and run around the block, With the new key. Park and turn it off.
9. Put in on position and backup configuration in alfaobd.
10. Turn everything off and start and drive normally with your new fob...
===================

Hi Jacob.

If you have this push button

There is a keyhole behind it.


You can get it to on, by not stepping on the brake and pressing the button. (Step 1) The ignition will turn on but not start.

 

[Jacob Maguire]

Appreciate the tip, Metalchewy. Tried with JScan last night but FOB programming procedure failed. Ordered another replacement key fob and will get her cut and try again.

 

[Ken226]

Appreciate the tip, Metalchewy. Tried with JScan last night but FOB programming procedure failed. Ordered another replacement key fob and will get her cut and try again.

The cheap Amazon and eBay aftermarket fobs tend to not work even more often than they do work,

but if a OEM fob won't program, maybe your RF hub is locked.

There have been a few guys on the forum who have been unable to program key fobs because a previous owner, or even the dealer who originally sold it, locked the RF hub.

If you do a search on the forum, you can probably find one of the threads.

Apparently, there is a permanent lockout that can be done to the RF hub that prevents it from ever accepting any more keys. If it's been done, the only option is replacing the RF hub.


Here is one
Post in thread 'Two different dealers were unable to program new key fob' https://www.ramforum.com/threads/tw...le-to-program-new-key-fob.216087/post-2988085

 

[Jacob Maguire]

JSCAN + new key = programmed without error. Just another example of a crappy first-replacement fob. Thank you to all for sharing comments and advise.

 

[Dean2]

JSCAN + new key = programmed without error. Just another example of a crappy first-replacement fob. Thank you to all for sharing comments and advise.

The non-oem fobs are a complete waste of time. Even a bunch of places claiming to sell OEM, are pure scams and selling clones that are nearly impossible to spot. The failure rate is over 85% if you include failure to program amd kack in under a year. Glad you got a new fob done.

 

[BinaryData]

Sorry to resurrect an older post, but I wanted to ask; Is this something a vehicle illiterate individual can do? I have 2 key fobs, the original one I got with the truck, the unlock/lock buttons stopped working but the ignition still works. The second one I paid a dealership $500+ to program a new one, and the pads inside the key are already falling off after 2-ish years. I've been buying cheap replacements off of Amazon, and just swapping them out but I don't want to get to the point where I'm stranded somewhere with bad keys, y'know?

I have a few questions;

1. What tools are needed? (Include everything)
2. What software is needed?
3. Where can I source OEM keys?

Is there a better option than doing it myself? I'm on a strict budget right now, I'm trying to keep this under $250 if possible but if it also keeps me from having to spend $500 again, and deal with horrid dealerships, I'm all for it.

 

[Ken226]

Sorry to resurrect an older post, but I wanted to ask; Is this something a vehicle illiterate individual can do? I have 2 key fobs, the original one I got with the truck, the unlock/lock buttons stopped working but the ignition still works. The second one I paid a dealership $500+ to program a new one, and the pads inside the key are already falling off after 2-ish years. I've been buying cheap replacements off of Amazon, and just swapping them out but I don't want to get to the point where I'm stranded somewhere with bad keys, y'know?

I have a few questions;

1. What tools are needed? (Include everything)
2. What software is needed?
3. Where can I source OEM keys?

Is there a better option than doing it myself? I'm on a strict budget right now, I'm trying to keep this under $250 if possible but if it also keeps me from having to spend $500 again, and deal with horrid dealerships, I'm all for it.

Yes,

You'll need a OBD Link MX+

https://a.co/d/fgrUYsZ

An Android phone

and

Download and install AlfaOBD, from the google play store. About 50$


Once you have that, you need to pull the pin from your RF hub, and write it down somewhere. to do that, connect to the RF Hub by choosing the correct year:


Then pull the PIN:




Once you have the pin written down and ready to go, select the following:




Enter the pin at the bottom and hit "start".



A pro tip: Get an OEM FOB. Cheap ones from Amazon/Ebay pretty much always fail, or won't program at all.

 

[04fxdwgi]

Ken, your write up states to get the android app. Your screen shots are the windows version and may freak him out if he goes that route.

PS: I always use the windoze version, myself.

 

[Ken226]

Ken, your write up states to get the android app. Your screen shots are the windows version and may freak him out if he goes that route.

PS: I always use the windoze version, myself.

Yea, the Windows version screen shots were convenient, at the moment since I was on my laptop.

I usually steer guys who are, as he said, "vehicle illiterate" more toward the Android version, since it's the easiest to set up and get working. Usually, but they are similar enough that I bet he can figure it out.




Although, my laptop has Bluetooth, so I can use the windows version with my same OBD Link MX+, and still don't have to mess with port settings or anything

 

[04fxdwgi]

I do the same. Windoze tablet laptop for the AlfaOBD and Android for the OBDLink app