Dodge Owner Forums

Dodge Trucks => 3rd Gen Rams => Topic started by: Cthulhu on May 14, 2011, 09:12:02 pm

Title: Remote Doorlocks .. no range!
Post by: Cthulhu on May 14, 2011, 09:12:02 pm
Heya!  Another question for the gurus...

I've got a 2006 3500 CTD.  The remote lock's range is simply terrible!  I can be standing at the driver door and it won't unlock.  I've replaced the battery already.  I'm wondering if there's an antenna in the truck or anything that I can look for that may help.

Cheers!
Title: Re: Remote Doorlocks .. no range!
Post by: Buford445 on May 14, 2011, 09:27:47 pm
I know my 06 range SUX, not sure about a antenna
Title: Re: Remote Doorlocks .. no range!
Post by: Mitch on May 14, 2011, 10:34:27 pm
I see both yall have an 06. See what Walt and Rich have to say about their truck's. My 08 has awesome range. If I have line of sight I can open and lock from over 100 feet. I still have the batteries that came with the Key when I bought it.
Title: Re: Remote Doorlocks .. no range!
Post by: Buford445 on May 14, 2011, 10:37:14 pm
I replaced the batteries when I first got the truck because I thought they were low, but it didn't help
Title: Re: Remote Doorlocks .. no range!
Post by: Mitch on May 14, 2011, 10:48:05 pm
I wonder where they receiver for the remote is located on the 06.
Title: Re: Remote Doorlocks .. no range!
Post by: Jims1dodge on May 14, 2011, 11:32:06 pm
I have about 15-20' range on mine.  Now on my old '01 it was line of sight, across a parking lot, put the fob over my head and push the button- horn or horns would blow.
Title: Re: Remote Doorlocks .. no range!
Post by: bikemancs on May 15, 2011, 01:35:28 am
same issue with my 06... assumed I was just procrastinating replacing the batteries. 
Title: Re: Remote Doorlocks .. no range!
Post by: noplugs on May 15, 2011, 06:13:11 pm
Ive noticed the reception seems to be better  when approaching from the passengers side of the vehicle.
Title: Re: Remote Doorlocks .. no range!
Post by: Drew on May 16, 2011, 01:40:12 am
04 with awesome range even with 7 year old batteries.
Title: Re: Remote Doorlocks .. no range!
Post by: bikemancs on May 16, 2011, 01:44:37 am
Are we all using the 06 key FOBs?  is there an issue with the FOBs vs. the trucks?
Title: Re: Remote Doorlocks .. no range!
Post by: Drew on May 16, 2011, 01:57:58 am
I'm wondering if the 06 key fob uses the metal part of the key as the antenna.

with the way you have to hold it you could be lowering the range of the signal due to power loss through the hand. Just a thought.
Title: Re: Remote Doorlocks .. no range!
Post by: Jims1dodge on May 16, 2011, 02:04:13 am
I'm wondering if the 06 key fob uses the metal part of the key as the antenna.

with the way you have to hold it you could be lowering the range of the signal due to power loss through the hand. Just a thought.

Thats an idea, when I lock the truck, the key itself is in my hand with the buttons toward the truck.  That makes the symbols readable, but may be backwards.
 If I got time tomorrow, I'll mess with it.
Title: Re: Remote Doorlocks .. no range!
Post by: bikemancs on May 16, 2011, 02:47:44 am
I do tend to use the metal to "point" at the truck
Title: Re: Remote Doorlocks .. no range!
Post by: Mitch on May 16, 2011, 06:40:24 am
I do tend to use the metal to "point" at the truck
yep  :up:
Title: Re: Remote Doorlocks .. no range!
Post by: bikemancs on May 16, 2011, 12:24:31 pm
doesn't seem to help though... 
Title: Re: Remote Doorlocks .. no range!
Post by: tnram2500 on May 16, 2011, 09:18:34 pm
probably no visible antenna, all the Toyota/Honda units we build at work all have the antenna mounted to the pcb inside teh case, I would say these are the same.
Title: Re: Remote Doorlocks .. no range!
Post by: Cthulhu on May 17, 2011, 03:38:59 am
Does anyone know of a site to order a replacement key? I'm missing my spare and need one anyway.. .I figure it cannot hurt.
Title: Re: Remote Doorlocks .. no range!
Post by: Buford445 on May 17, 2011, 09:17:37 am
Dave (Parts and Service) James O'Neal Dodge
Title: Re: Remote Doorlocks .. no range!
Post by: bikemancs on May 17, 2011, 01:04:11 pm
Does anyone know of a site to order a replacement key? I'm missing my spare and need one anyway.. .I figure it cannot hurt.

they're expensive man... if you don't have 2 keys, then they have to program the 2nd one, and that apparently gets pricy, even at Dave's prices...
Title: Re: Remote Doorlocks .. no range!
Post by: aka_chewy on May 17, 2011, 02:06:39 pm
Does Dave need the vehicle there in order to program the key?  Or can he do it based of the VIN?
Title: Re: Remote Doorlocks .. no range!
Post by: noplugs on May 17, 2011, 03:17:56 pm
Does anyone know of a site to order a replacement key? I'm missing my spare and need one anyway.. .I figure it cannot hurt.

they're expensive man... if you don't have 2 keys, then they have to program the 2nd one, and that apparently gets pricy, even at Dave's prices...

He's right. Apparently, if you have 2 keys you can add the third one yourself but if you only have one key the dealer must do it and they are about $100 a pop.
Title: Re: Remote Doorlocks .. no range!
Post by: mayfair on May 17, 2011, 05:00:18 pm
Does Dave need the vehicle there in order to program the key?  Or can he do it based of the VIN?

He can get you the key, but you'll still need to find a dealer to program it. :$:
Title: Re: Remote Doorlocks .. no range!
Post by: Cthulhu on May 26, 2011, 07:21:34 pm
ha.. $100 to program it?  I wish... I called the dealer up here and they want $400 to program it... and the key is ~$250.

Friggen thieves.
Title: Re: Remote Doorlocks .. no range!
Post by: Jims1dodge on May 26, 2011, 07:30:27 pm
Finally measured the working range

Pointed at the truck on the drivers side- 15'
Passenger side - 25'

The key in a pocket or pointed away was about 1/3 the distance.

The double button push for the passenger and back doors is closer.
Title: Re: Remote Doorlocks .. no range!
Post by: Cthulhu on May 26, 2011, 08:47:37 pm
So, I just found this, it says only 1 key is required to program more keys... any experience?

http://www.ehow.com/how_7168901_program-dodge-ram-key-fob.html
Title: Re: Remote Doorlocks .. no range!
Post by: Buford445 on May 26, 2011, 08:51:19 pm
That I believe is for the Fob it self NOT for the Chip in the New keys.
I have bought keys off E-Bay and programed them but you Need TWO Keys to do it
Title: Re: Remote Doorlocks .. no range!
Post by: Cthulhu on May 30, 2011, 06:54:52 am
Thanks for the feedback on the range issue.  I've figured out my single key when held 'correctly' can easily reach 100+ ft.

Great info!
Title: Re: Remote Doorlocks .. no range!
Post by: bikemancs on May 30, 2011, 12:46:47 pm
What kills me on mine, is that I will be standing right next to the truck sometimes, and it won't work (either side) but then, later the same day I can sand just outside the door to my APT (3rd floor plus parking lot) and it'll lock/unlock on the first push... 
Title: Re: Remote Doorlocks .. no range!
Post by: Mitch on July 29, 2011, 10:45:35 pm
If anybody is still interested in this, the Module-sentry key remote entry is located on the right side of the steering column. It is just behind the ignition switch.
Title: Re: Remote Doorlocks .. no range!
Post by: Cthulhu on October 15, 2011, 05:19:29 pm
Well, I found a way to get excellent range..

I had a Compustar FM Remote starter installed.. Range is over 1000ft... :)

I also programmed a 3rd key I bought online... its different than OEM, there's no click in the button.... the range seems to be better than the OEM key. 

Check out www.yourkeylessremote.com...  I bought mine from him on Ebay and it seems descent.
Title: Re: Remote Doorlocks .. no range!
Post by: noplugs on October 15, 2011, 07:06:11 pm
There you go... Change the rules of the game..  :up:
Title: Re: Remote Doorlocks .. no range!
Post by: Pappa Gluth on October 21, 2011, 08:30:08 pm
Little something I found on you tube.  http://youtu.be/_jACSPipPSE (http://youtu.be/_jACSPipPSE)