ALFA OBD gurus...

[Ltngdrvr]

Can you use it to program a new key fob???

My old original key fobs, both of them, have become hyper-sensitive, which I have found is a common thing. The small discs that make contact with the contact points on the key fob circuit board become disloged from the rubber pushbuttons, and any touch of the fob can trigger it. I keep accidentally unlocking my truck or worse, triggering remote start. I have come out to find my truck already running even though I didn't intend to remote start it, or have come out to find my truck unlocked even though I had previously locked it.

The solution I found on several online threads was to clean the contact grease off both parts and to superglue the contact discs back onto the rubber pushbuttons.
The design of these key fobs really sucks IMO.

I found aftermarket key fobs that have the contact discs soldered to the contact points on the circuit board instead of having them glued to the rubber pushbuttons, this seems like a much better design than the oem fobs, but any new fob has to be programmed to the receiver in the truck, so I would have to pay a locksmith or even worse, the dealer, to program the new fobs.

So, if the new fobs can be programmed by the ALFAOBD then maybe I can find someone who has one and know how to use it to program the new fobs for me.

 

[lpennock]

Yes alfaOBD can do it. You will need the security pin which you should be able to get for free from the dealers part department with proof of ownership and an ID; however, some dealer give a hassle so there is also pin puller available from the play store but it cost money.

 

[Ltngdrvr]

Ok, thanks.

 

[RammerJam]

Can you use it to program a new key fob???

My old original key fobs, both of them, have become hyper-sensitive, which I have found is a common thing. The small discs that make contact with the contact points on the key fob circuit board become disloged from the rubber pushbuttons, and any touch of the fob can trigger it. I keep accidentally unlocking my truck or worse, triggering remote start. I have come out to find my truck already running even though I didn't intend to remote start it, or have come out to find my truck unlocked even though I had previously locked it.

The solution I found on several online threads was to clean the contact grease off both parts and to superglue the contact discs back onto the rubber pushbuttons.
The design of these key fobs really sucks IMO.

I found aftermarket key fobs that have the contact discs soldered to the contact points on the circuit board instead of having them glued to the rubber pushbuttons, this seems like a much better design than the oem fobs, but any new fob has to be programmed to the receiver in the truck, so I would have to pay a locksmith or even worse, the dealer, to program the new fobs.

So, if the new fobs can be programmed by the ALFAOBD then maybe I can find someone who has one and know how to use it to program the new fobs for me.

Whenever there's something in my pocket besides the Key Fob, it will often unlock it. I even started the truck one time when I sat down. Just ten minutes ago I went to the truck and the DW said she though she heard the truck unlock. It did. I forgot I had a pocket-knife in my pocket where I also had the Key Fob. I guess they push against each other and...... I keep the Cap hatch key on the Key Fob and if I'm not careful it will fold over and activate -- Something. So far it hasn't turned on the panic alarm.

It's done that since Day One. Can't say I'm impressed with it. Such a small thing that I'm sure they're aware of and won't do anything about it. So I just try to remember to put the key in my EMPTY (you don't even want any change in there with it) pocket with the buttons pointed up. Don't know if that's right or not.

 

[Ltngdrvr]

Whenever there's something in my pocket besides the Key Fob, it will often unlock it. I even started the truck one time when I sat down. Just ten minutes ago I went to the truck and the DW said she though she heard the truck unlock. It did. I forgot I had a pocket-knife in my pocket where I also had the Key Fob. I guess they push against each other and...... I keep the Cap hatch key on the Key Fob and if I'm not careful it will fold over and activate -- Something. So far it hasn't turned on the panic alarm.

It's done that since Day One. Can't say I'm impressed with it. Such a small thing that I'm sure they're aware of and won't do anything about it. So I just try to remember to put the key in my EMPTY (you don't even want any change in there with it) pocket with the buttons pointed up. Don't know if that's right or not.

Well, up until a few weeks ago I wasn't having this issue, and it's not just when the fob is in my pocket, if I have it in my hand and just barely touch one of the buttons, not actually pushing it, it will activate.
Used to be I had to be crouching down or something like that to pocket activate it, but now it's like if I just think about it, it activates. It's all because of the loose contact discs on the buttons, I know that's what it is because I have taken them apart and found the loose contact discs.

It's a crappy design.

 

[lpennock]

I found aftermarket key fobs that have the contact discs soldered to the contact points on the circuit board instead of having them glued to the rubber pushbuttons, this seems like a much better design than the oem fobs

Where did you finds this updated design?

 

[Ltngdrvr]

Where did you finds this updated design?

Amazon

 

[Cummins12V98]

Well, up until a few weeks ago I wasn't having this issue, and it's not just when the fob is in my pocket, if I have it in my hand and just barely touch one of the buttons, not actually pushing it, it will activate.
Used to be I had to be crouching down or something like that to pocket activate it, but now it's like if I just think about it, it activates. It's all because of the loose contact discs on the buttons, I know that's what it is because I have taken them apart and found the loose contact discs.

It's a crappy design.

Half million miles time to pull out the spare FOB.

 

[Ltngdrvr]

Half million miles time to pull out the spare FOB.

You didn't read well, both fobs are doing it, changed to the spare weeks ago and it is messed up too.

 

[Wiredawg]

Long experience with FOBs, only the FOB goes in left pants pocket; right pocket is house keys and seldom any change. Leatherman in belt holder.

I rarely, but it happens end up hitting the panic... it really is a panic if I have the air horns turned on.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Ltngdrvr]

Long experience with FOBs, only the FOB goes in left pants pocket; right pocket is house keys and seldom any change. Leatherman in belt holder.

I rarely, but it happens end up hitting the panic... it really is a panic if I have the air horns turned on.

Cheers, Ron

As sensitive as the fobs are currently, it doesn't matter if there is anything in my pocket with the fob or not, the slightest pressure will trigger it.

 

[Wiredawg]

Do you think it's oversensitive FOB or pants too tight, or both? Just joking... couldn't resist.

 

[Ltngdrvr]

Do you think it's oversensitive FOB or pants too tight, or both? Just joking... couldn't resist.

Nope, not too tight pants, I am unable to wear tight pants.

 

[Wiredawg]

If your best efforts don't give you satisfactory results setting off your trucks, you might try this. It blocks FOB transmission.

I think I had my fob too close to my 5500 too long last week when organizing my tool box and compartments... lights not coming on when I get within range, but haven't gone into menu to see if it deselected.

Anyhoo, might help.

Cheers, Ron

 

[nukegm]

comrade ron - do they make a faraday bag for our trucks? that way we could drive them after EMP from iran or n korea....

kinda kidding kinda serious

best book ever " one second after "

cheers!

 

[Wiredawg]

You need a 1st Gen to avoid EMP, you be walking otherwise Might want to carry emergency pint of JD also.

 

[AH64ID]

I think I had my fob too close to my 5500 too long last week when organizing my tool box and compartments... lights not coming on when I get within range, but haven't gone into menu to see if it deselected.

Anyhoo, might help.

Cheers, Ron

Your lights come on when you walk near your truck without touching it?

Mine won’t do anything unless I touch the front door handles with the proximity key on me.

 

[Wiredawg]

Your lights come on when you walk near your truck without touching it?

Mine won’t do anything unless I touch the front door handles with the proximity key on me.

Yes, they come on when I'm in about 10 ft proximity of the truck. When I'm washing it, I have to take the fob inside the shop to keep the lights from coming on, timing out, repeat. When I was working with the LED bulbs, I left the fob in the shop approximately 20 ft from the truck for a couple days, now its stopped, so need to play wit it some, go into the 8.4 menu and verify it didn't auto deselect.

EDIT: John you may want to check settings on your 8.4 to make sure proximity is activated.

Cheers, Ron

 

[AH64ID]

Yes, they come on when I'm in about 10 ft proximity of the truck. When I'm washing it, I have to take the fob inside the shop to keep the lights from coming on, timing out, repeat. When I was working with the LED bulbs, I left the fob in the shop approximately 20 ft from the truck for a couple days, now its stopped, so need to play wit it some, go into the 8.4 menu and verify it didn't auto deselect.

EDIT: John you may want to check settings on your 8.4 to make sure proximity is activated.

Cheers, Ron

Mine does that washing as water touching the door handles will activate the sensor.

I’ll mess with the settings, but nothing in the manual talks about any illumination prior to being unlocked.

 

[Wiredawg]

Mine does that washing as water touching the door handles will activate the sensor.

I’ll mess with the settings, but nothing in the manual talks about any illumination prior to being unlocked.

John,

I believe this is where it is mentioned in the manual.

Mine could be broken allowing the presence of the fob to turn on the lights and/or because it's a cab and chassis. As you may know, EB comes on automatically at startup if it was selected before shutdown.

Anyhoo, it is what it is.

Cheers, Ron