Increase Antenna Size on Receiver for Remote Function Actuation?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 17,336
Likes: 8
From: Maker of Sharp Objects, AL - Roll Tide
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
St. Jude Knife Maker
Increase Antenna Size on Receiver for Remote Function Actuation?
I have a '99 coupe and it has the old style passive remote. From what I understand, the receiver is behind the carpet on the driver's side of the car. I have alot of trouble with my remote, and it frustrates me. No matter how many times I change the battery, or even chenge the remote itself, it still doesn't help. I have to be right beside my car on the driver side for it to do anything. If I walk more than 5 feet away it just turns into a button pressing frenzy.
I was wondering what could be causing this problem, and thought that maybe I might be able to actually put a small exposed antenna on the outside of the car. is there any way to help this system? Do I need to replace the receiver itself?
It makes no sense to me how the other vehicles we have will unlock / lock from inside the house from behind walls, and I have to just about be sitting on top of my car to get it to work.
I was wondering what could be causing this problem, and thought that maybe I might be able to actually put a small exposed antenna on the outside of the car. is there any way to help this system? Do I need to replace the receiver itself?
It makes no sense to me how the other vehicles we have will unlock / lock from inside the house from behind walls, and I have to just about be sitting on top of my car to get it to work.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,217
Likes: 5
From: Stark County Ohio
Do all the tire pressure sensors work? Same receiver picks up both Key Fob and Tire Pressure transmitters.
Maybe the fobs you’re using are emitting a weak signal. Are you using the original two keyless transmitters or have you tried others?
Do you know anyone else with a 97 – 99 with known good working transmitters (fobs) – transmitters that work at a distance? If so, borrow it then program it to your car and test. (A 2000 keyless fob will also work with 97 – 99 cars even though it has no passive feature)
I would try a KNOWN GOOD keyless fob before replacing the receiver or modifying its antenna.
The car body is plastic and is not in itself blocking the signal.
Maybe the fobs you’re using are emitting a weak signal. Are you using the original two keyless transmitters or have you tried others?
Do you know anyone else with a 97 – 99 with known good working transmitters (fobs) – transmitters that work at a distance? If so, borrow it then program it to your car and test. (A 2000 keyless fob will also work with 97 – 99 cars even though it has no passive feature)
I would try a KNOWN GOOD keyless fob before replacing the receiver or modifying its antenna.
The car body is plastic and is not in itself blocking the signal.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 17,336
Likes: 8
From: Maker of Sharp Objects, AL - Roll Tide
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
St. Jude Knife Maker
Tire pressure sensors are not there. The last owner of the car put the aftermarket wheels on, and he did away with the sensors because they couldn't make them fit. A mistake to say the least, but what can you do about it...Not having sensors doesn't bother me. I do get the "service Tire Mon sys" warning in the DIC everytime I turn the ignition on, but I just clear it out. The code cannot be prgrammed out using a tech II on a '99.
The last fob I was using which came with the car, died about a week after I bought it. I got a new one, to the tune of $112 at my local dealer. Prolly coulda got it cheaper but wanted it to work again so I shelled out the cash. It seemed to get weeker and weaker. The brand new fob started working at about 20 feet away, but no further. It got worse and worse and I assumed it was the battery since I am sure the fob has been sitting on the shelf a while. put in a new battery and it is the same distance. Right beside the car, driver's side. I could try another battery, but I don't think that is the problem.
I have never tried programming it with another fob -besides my old one and the new one I bought.
The last fob I was using which came with the car, died about a week after I bought it. I got a new one, to the tune of $112 at my local dealer. Prolly coulda got it cheaper but wanted it to work again so I shelled out the cash. It seemed to get weeker and weaker. The brand new fob started working at about 20 feet away, but no further. It got worse and worse and I assumed it was the battery since I am sure the fob has been sitting on the shelf a while. put in a new battery and it is the same distance. Right beside the car, driver's side. I could try another battery, but I don't think that is the problem.
I have never tried programming it with another fob -besides my old one and the new one I bought.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,761
Likes: 235
From: North Carolina
I'm not a big fan of the passive system being operational. Have you tried to just deactivate the passive entry functionality? You weren't real clear if your fob range decreases over time after replacing the batteries, or its bad all the time( at least to me). I'd try shutting down the passive mode via the DIC and fob slide switches and see if that helps.
Last edited by MAC5; Sep 23, 2008 at 09:27 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,272
Likes: 225
From: Farmington CT
Cruise-In VII Veteran
i would say the box mounted near the fuel door may have the antennae broken off/partially
try swapping a new one in there from a friends car, about 10 minutes
you'll need the early version
try swapping a new one in there from a friends car, about 10 minutes
you'll need the early version
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 17,336
Likes: 8
From: Maker of Sharp Objects, AL - Roll Tide
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
St. Jude Knife Maker
I don't use the passive function. I keep that off.
So I can get to the box and antenna through the fuel fill door?
So I can get to the box and antenna through the fuel fill door?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,272
Likes: 225
From: Farmington CT
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
