Key fob issues

[dkelly3103]

Hello everyone, this is my first post on here so hopfully it’s in the right spot. I have a 2010 ram 1500 SLT quad cab. Just bought it 6 months ago and it’s been a great truck so far. When i bought it, it came with one key fob. It worked flawlessly for the first few months then I accidentally let it go through the washer, it then started acting up and only working part of the time and had to press the buttons multiple times for it to work. Although it still started the truck with no problem. I bought a new key fob and had it programmed thinking that would solve my issue. Immediately I noticed it would not lock, unlock or remote start my truck. Only start it using the key in the ignition. At this time my old remote still worked occasionally so I assumed it was just a problem with the new remote not the truck however once I got home from getting it programmed neither the new remote, or my old remote do anything at all to the truck using any of the buttons. No panic, unlock, lock or remote start. Both still start the truck. Was it just a coincidence that the old remote stopped working entirely the same time I had a faulty new fob programmed or is it possible there’s a issue with my truck? Sorry for the long post just wanted to give as much detail as possible to help clarify the issue.

 

[Rlaf75]

I would first start by replacing the battery in the old fob to see what happens. It's cheap and easy to do as long as you put the battery back in the correct way. Then I'd put all the fobs on the dashboard with the windows down and disconnect the battery for 5 or 10 minutes. That kinda give the fobs a "soft" reset. Hook the battery back up and see if they function properly. Is the new fob a factory fob or aftermarket and who programmed it?

 

[dkelly3103]

I have put new batteries in both fobs and it didn’t do anything. I have not tried the “soft reset” yet though so I will go out now and give that a shot! The new fob is a aftermarket one I got off amazon, I had it programmed at batteries plus. I know there’s a chance that it’s defective but the fact the old fob quite working the moment the new fob was programmed has me confused.

 

[dkelly3103]

I would first start by replacing the battery in the old fob to see what happens. It's cheap and easy to do as long as you put the battery back in the correct way. Then I'd put all the fobs on the dashboard with the windows down and disconnect the battery for 5 or 10 minutes. That kinda give the fobs a "soft" reset. Hook the battery back up and see if they function properly. Is the new fob a factory fob or aftermarket and who programmed it?

Just tried the reset and nothing changed.

 

[dkelly3103]

Anyone else have any ideas?

 

[Rlaf75]

Are there messages displayed when you insert the key? If you dont have a scan tool, go to your local auto parts store and have them check for codes to see if there are any stored. You said you just bought the truck. Did you buy from a dealer? If so take it back and let them take care of it

 

[GTyankee]

Open up the FOB case
take the rubber seal out
use rubbing alcohol to clean the green circuit board, especially the silver contact points
the inner part of the case that has the buttons on it, clean carefully, there are little contacts points that are glued to the case
clean anything that may have a film or old gunk on it, including the rubber seal

There are dozens of youtube videos on how to trouble shoot FOBs, mostly the Passive Fobs but also on the Enter N Go fobs

 

[dkelly3103]

Are there messages displayed when you insert the key? If you dont have a scan tool, go to your local auto parts store and have them check for codes to see if there are any stored. You said you just bought the truck. Did you buy from a dealer? If so take it back and let them take care of it

No there are no messages. Both keys start the truck as they should, but neither will lock, unlock, remote start or panic. The truck doesn’t react to any of those what so ever. I bought it private party so I’d rather avoid taking it to the dealer if it’s something I can deal with myself.

 

[dkelly3103]

Open up the FOB case
take the rubber seal out
use rubbing alcohol to clean the green circuit board, especially the silver contact points
the inner part of the case that has the buttons on it, clean carefully, there are little contacts points that are glued to the case
clean anything that may have a film or old gunk on it, including the rubber seal

There are dozens of youtube videos on how to trouble shoot FOBs, mostly the Passive Fobs but also on the Enter N Go fobs

I have tried cleaning both of them with no success. As I added one of them is new as well so dirty contact points shouldn’t be an issue with that one at least.

 

[Rlaf75]

Take it to an auto parts store and have them check for codes on a scan tool

 

[dkelly3103]

Another new key fob solved the issue. The place I went to have it programmed at had a tool to see if the remotes were putting out a signal, the replacements I ordered online and had programmed when I first made the thread put out a signal but apparently it wasn’t the correct signal as my truck didn’t respond to them at all. My old factory fob didn’t put out a signal at all so it was just a coincidence that it went bad the same day I had the other remotes programmed.