Finicky Key Fob

[DeputyChef22]

Need some insight- remote has new battery and will work (buttons and proximity) for a couple of days then go unresponsive.

Where do I start?

 

[GTyankee]

When it fails to work ..

Does it usually happen around the same places,
Like right in front of a store, like 7/11 or outside of a Machine shop, or what ?

Does the place have LED lights or possibly a CNC Machine ?

Is it a Passive FOB, the kind that you insert into the Ignition,
or is it a Smart Fob, that you leave in your Pocket most times ?

 

[DeputyChef22]

When it fails to work ..

Does it usually happen around the same places,
Like right in front of a store, like 7/11 or outside of a Machine shop, or what ?

Does the place have LED lights or possibly a CNC Machine ?

Is it a Passive FOB, the kind that you insert into the Ignition,
or is it a Smart Fob, that you leave in your Pocket most times ?

Fails at home sitting in the driveway. No RF interference.

I do have LEDs all the way around but does not affect my primary remote at all. It’s just my spare that just acts dead.

Both fobs are the smart version.

 

[RamDiver]

Fails at home sitting in the driveway. No RF interference.

I do have LEDs all the way around but does not affect my primary remote at all. It’s just my spare that just acts dead.

Both fobs are the smart version.

Do you have access to a digital multimeter?

If changing the battery allows the FOB to function for a short period, it would be helpful to test the replacement battery both before and after the installation/failure.

If your primary FOB always functions correctly, the truck side is OK, obviously.

The question is, does the secondary FOB eat batteries because it has a failed button remaining closed or has it lost it's head with the transmission state staying on too long, hence the short battery life?

If you don't already own a digital multimeter, they're less than $10 at HarbourFreight or Wally world and an invaluable tool to own for endless tasks.

.

 

[DeputyChef22]

Do you have access to a digital multimeter?

If changing the battery allows the FOB to function for a short period, it would be helpful to test the replacement battery both before and after the installation/failure.

If your primary FOB always functions correctly, the truck side is OK, obviously.

The question is, does the secondary FOB eat batteries because it has a failed button remaining closed or has it lost it's head with the transmission state staying on too long, hence the short battery life?

If you don't already own a digital multimeter, they're less than $10 at HarbourFreight or Wally world and an invaluable tool to own for endless tasks.

.

It’s on its third battery in about a month. I have not swapped it out to another device that uses the battery to see if it’s drained it or not though.
I don’t have a multi meter and never used one before.

 

[DeputyChef22]

I opened the fob and noticed that the battery wasn’t sitting down flush so I held it down and tested it successfully. I tried to tighten the metal tabs holding it in place so we’ll see how long it stays.

 

[GTyankee]

Just a note:

The reason a asked about LED Lighting is some Ram owners have discovered that cheaper LED Lights used as Outside Lights or as Garage Lights, can & have caused the FOBs not to work.

Believe it or not, there are 110 Watt LED Lights that are made so that they do not interfere with our vehicle CanBus systems

 

[DeputyChef22]

Just a note:

The reason a asked about LED Lighting is some Ram owners have discovered that cheaper LED Lights used as Outside Lights or as Garage Lights, can & have caused the FOBs not to work.

Believe it or not, there are 110 Watt LED Lights that are made so that they do not interfere with our vehicle CanBus systems

I’m running Fahren Termitor bulbs in my lows, highs and fogs.

Good info to have because this 2015 is so much more than my 2006 ever could dream of being.

 

[GTyankee]

I get what your saying about the Ram's LEDs & what you have is real good.

But what i am referring to is the FOB that is not working as designed.

Sometimes buildings have LED Lights, that do not work well when you are near them & try to use your FOB

Such as your garage has cheap LED light bulbs and you're experiencing issues with your vehicle's key fob, it's likely that the LED bulbs are emitting electromagnetic interference (EMI) which is disrupting the signal from your fob, causing it to malfunction; this is a common problem with low-quality LED bulbs, especially when they aren't properly shielded.

Why this happens:

• Poorly designed drivers:
  Cheap LED bulbs often have poorly designed drivers that generate electrical noise at frequencies that can interfere with the radio signals used by your car key fob