Intermittent key fob function

[RDThompson]

I thought my Key Fobs were worn out, they're the OEM that came with the truck . Attempts to replace them met with mixed results. I ended up with keys that would start and run the truck but not unlock or lock the doors.

My existing fobs may work great one day and not at all the next .
I'm wondering if they are actually the problem.

Does anyone here know where the receiver or antenna for the fobs is located in the truck. I would guess that it would be around the rear view mirror but that's just speculation.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Timd32]

I thought my Key Fobs were worn out, they're the OEM that came with the truck . Attempts to replace them met with mixed results. I ended up with keys that would start and run the truck but not unlock or lock the doors.

My existing fobs may work great one day and not at all the next .
I'm wondering if they are actually the problem.

Does anyone here know where the receiver or antenna for the fobs is located in the truck. I would guess that it would be around the rear view mirror but that's just speculation.

Any help would be appreciated.

I dont have the exact details but have a pile of Key Fobs from 2013 to 2018 vehicles, and I found that there is a difference in hardware on them.

For example I had 9 grand caravans so 18 FOBS, and the '14 FOBs wont work on the '16, but, we needed a 3rd for a vehicle and it was full price or bust from the dealer since we needed it then.

My guess is you did the battery in them already, but figure would ask the basics.

If a different FOB they have vidoes of all types out there.

 

[ScottLewis]

A few years ago, the battery holder in one of my keys came unsoldered from the motherboard. Sometimes it made contact and then wouldn't. I was able to dab a bit of solder on the connection and it has worked since. I recently bought 2 keys (fob type) from Amazon. The locksmith growled that I bought online but ultimately ground them for me and I programmed them according to the website the seller referenced. Both work great and cost less than $20 total. You need 2 working keys to program the new ones.

 

[RDThompson]

Thanks guys, Yes I did change batteries first thing but that didn't change anything. I also didn't get the expected responses during programming.

 

[RDThompson]

I did the same as Dan, bought keys online all though my locksmith didn't complain. He doesn't sell them. I was able to get the key to run the truck but the door buttons on the new keys have no effect.

 

[ScottLewis]

I did the same as Dan, bought keys online all though my locksmith didn't complain. He doesn't sell them. I was able to get the key to run the truck but the door buttons on the new keys have no effect.

Did you program them? Not sure if your '08 is the same as my '06 but the process wasn't difficult. On reflection, I assume that since the truck runs, you must have done so.
My locksmith said he didn't believe I'd be able to program them. He was wrong. The expected flash/sound during program didn't occur but I just went through the steps as instructed anyway.

 

[ScottLewis]

Did you inspect the battery holder in the key for a broken contact? I needed a magnifying glass to see mine.

 

[RDThompson]

Thanks Dan, I put the boards in a board vice and used the magnifier to examine them and there are no broken solder joints.
I did discover that the panic button works every time on the old keys. No response from the new. I'm also told that some keys have an identical board but the frequencies are different.
I will explore this issue and report back. Thanks again

 

[Prairie Dog]

You asked where the reciever is. I installed the factory system myself when my truck didn't come with it.
It's strange but the module is located on the back side of the instrument cluster in the middle and is just plugged in. If you have the factory security system it is plugged in the same place - they are piggy-backed.

 

[RDThompson]

You asked where the reciever is. I installed the factory system myself when my truck didn't come with it.
It's strange but the module is located on the back side of the instrument cluster in the middle and is just plugged in. If you have the factory security system it is plugged in the same place - they are piggy-backed.

Thanks for the info. That explains why I can hear a click behind the dash on those occasions when the key fob actually works from inside the truck. This warrants more investigation.