Both key fobs suddenly stopped working...

[Greggor2]

Hey there, I just got a brand new 2022 ram bighorn, in August 2022. This past Friday, both key fobs suddenly stopped working.

No clue what's going on, I will call the dealer in the morning, but, just checking in here to see if anyone has any similar problems?

Thank you so much and have a great day!

GK

 

[Dodge 1500 4X4]

Have them check the RF Hub in back seat drivers' side, let's hope it hasn't got wet back there.

 

[GTyankee]

Does your FOB go into the ignition or is it a smart FOB that thieves like.

Try your Unlock Button, or Panic Button. If either work, then your FOB is communicating the vehicles RF Hub

 

[Randy Grant]

Does your FOB go into the ignition or is it a smart FOB that thieves like.

Try your Unlock Button, or Panic Button. If either work, then your FOB is communicating the vehicles RF Hub

It's a 22, so I doubt if it goes into the ignition.

 

[mikeru]

It's a 22, so I doubt if it goes into the ignition.

It will have push button ignition. AFAIK no 5th gens use the fob you stick into the ignition in the dash.

 

[GTyankee]

Another mistake made by Ram

Make it a convenient for the owner & real convenient for the thieves & their RF devices

 

[gofishn]

Gremlins!
Those same evil creatures, that build curbs, where there were none, when you turn and your tire lifts up.

I hate them

 

[Rlaf75]

Take both fob out to the truck and disconnect the trucks battery for about 5/10 minutes. Reconnect and try the fobs. I work on a fleet of ram promaster vans that have this type of problem. We have to do this procedure several times

 

[sjack]

Take both fob out to the truck and disconnect the trucks battery for about 5/10 minutes. Reconnect and try the fobs. I work on a fleet of ram promaster vans that have this type of problem. We have to do this procedure several times

This happened to me today. Disconnected the battery and that did the trick. Do you have an explanation as to why this happens?

 

[Gren71]

@Gregory2 The cold plays heck on key fobs. You can trouble shoot this by taking the fob and using it to press you start button. If the truck starts the battery in the fob is probably dead. They have an rfid chip in them that interacts with a receiver in the ignition housing, allowing the driver to start the vehicle even when the fob its self has a dead battery.

If its the battery in the fob theyre usually easy to change, though Ill admit I havent changed a battery in a ram fob so I cant attest to it.

If the fob does not start the truck then id attempt the battery disconnect trick. If that works id go get your battery tested to see if its shot already. Just because the truck was made in 22, doesnt necessarily mean the battery was. Coming from the jeep world ive had old *** batteries in new jeeps and needed to have them replaced.

If neither of those work than its probably a dealer concern.

good luck!

 

[GTyankee]

I was informed several years ago about Ram electronics.
Back when i had the Lightning Bolt symbol come on, i went to my local dealership & the mechanic came out to the waiting room, which surprised me.
He asked what i was doing just before i noticed Lightning Bolt had come on.

I had the ignition ON, engine OFF, so i could listen to the radio for a long period of time, which was not my original intention.

The semi truck that i had been waiting on to cross the Mexican Border, finally showed up.
I just turned the ignition to the Start position & the Lightning Bolt came on.

The mechanic told me, that if that were to happen again, that i should switch the ignition to the OFF position, maybe to even remove the FOB, open the door, then Start the Ram back up.

He said that his best guess was that the Computer had momentarily got confused.

If that same thing were to happen these days, the Service Adviser would call me to the office & then tell me that what ever caused the issue could not be replicated, which seems to be the Standard Reply to many of our questions.

 

[Rlaf75]

This happened to me today. Disconnected the battery and that did the trick. Do you have an explanation as to why this happens?

Unfortunately I do not have a formal explanation. The only things I can come up with is that these newer vehicles have so much electronics in them that they have become more sensitive to battery voltage. I think they became glitchy and by disconnecting the power it gives the systems a soft reset.

As I mentioned in my other comment, I work on a fleet of ram promaster vans and when we take a key fob out to the parking lot and hit the buttons to flash the lights to make it easier to find the van, 2 or 3 other trucks lights will flash as well. Those other vans will not unlock but the lights will actually flash. In this case it must be a frequency thing but my point is they are sensitive

 

[GTyankee]

Some Rams, like the 2009 Dodge Ram used 315 Mhz.
While others, that were built after January 2009, all used 433 Mhz.

If you check your Ram & it was built after January 2009. Your TPMS & FOBs all operate on 433 Mhz

They figured out that a lot of CNC machines, Bird Baths, Fluorescent Lights, and some other electronics, operated on a frequency close to 315 Mhz & there was a conflict, like when i would park in front of a 7/11 with my old 2009 Dodge Ram 1500, many times i had to unlock my truck using a key, because the FOB would not work, if i parked right in front of the door.
It was a B****, when it rained & i had something in both hands