Legendary Problem Solved....
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 23
Likes: 1
I guess I understand why soldering is required when the fob doesn't work. But what it the solution when there is no apparent soldering required, the fob works but needs to be retrained every time you come back to the car?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,568
Likes: 1,209
From: Dyer, IN
....and how are you making this determination....by looking at it? Not always easy to see fractured solder joint with the naked eye.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Check your DTCs and see what comes up. If there are a ton of old DTCs, clear them. The next time the FOB needs re=synced, read the DTCs and see whats there.
BC
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,568
Likes: 1,209
From: Dyer, IN
Good luck.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,987
Likes: 18
From: DuBois PA
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Often times a cold solder joint looks fine, probe it and it'll pop right off the pad... Using your logic, which components would store "Training Memory" ?? Certainly not a resistor... More then likely the main chip no?
Probe each and every solder joint on the PCB and repair any that fail the probe test... That's the only reliable way to test for cold solder joints.As LUcky indicated these "home grown" repairs have been very successful. No one has the schematics for the FOB, the OP got down to business, rolled up his sleeves and solved this nagging problem for us.
FYI Lucky is EXTREMELY knowledgable and is well respected here as is Bill Curlee... If you come across with a knee jerk comment or obviously haven't even tried using the search function, he'll call you on it! They are like Good cop Bad cop!
Tim
Probe each and every solder joint on the PCB and repair any that fail the probe test... That's the only reliable way to test for cold solder joints.As LUcky indicated these "home grown" repairs have been very successful. No one has the schematics for the FOB, the OP got down to business, rolled up his sleeves and solved this nagging problem for us.
FYI Lucky is EXTREMELY knowledgable and is well respected here as is Bill Curlee... If you come across with a knee jerk comment or obviously haven't even tried using the search function, he'll call you on it! They are like Good cop Bad cop!
Tim
Last edited by tstar; Jun 23, 2010 at 03:35 PM.
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Advanced
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Detroit Michigan
Fob
I want to thank all the members who have taken the time to not only do the research but go out of their way to help other members. My FOB went down, I don't think it liked being tossed on the ground with a heavy band of keys. I resigned myself to the fact that I would have to buy a new one. I did the research on here and found so many helpful threads that I decided to try and fix it myself. Went to Norther Tool and spent less than $12 for soldering iron, solder and a magnifying stand with clips to hold it in place. Cleaned and re soldered the areas that were suggested and it works like a charm.
Thanks to all that posted
Thanks to all that posted
Racer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 424
Likes: 0
From: Redmond Washington
Came across this today as both of mine are currently down. One went through the wash so there may be no hope...BUT ya, same thing where I had to retrain it everyday after new battery.
Is there someone that would do it for for some money if I sent them? I have no experience with solder irons whatsoever
Is there someone that would do it for for some money if I sent them? I have no experience with solder irons whatsoever
Advanced
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: South Bend IN
Advanced
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: South Bend IN
OK guys someone took me up on my offer to repair one so I could play with it. Here's the photographic journey, I applogize in advance I'm not a great photographer and do not have a Macro lense.
Disassembled
Here's one problem, the Top Two Carbon buttons on the faceplate were very dirty as were the corresponding contacts on the board
Oh yeah, I took the Passive Switch out and scrubbed it. It was filthy as they all get
OK crappy pics time. I probed each and every joint on the board and only two had cold solder joints, the Top and Bottom legs on the far right
On the operating table!
All fixed
So I recommend tearing the fob down completely and cleaning the Carbon buttons and contacts for the faceplate, checking the contacts for the battery for allignement and cleaniness and probing for cold/broken solder joints. There was evidence of some moisture behind the faceplate so that may explain the diry carbon buttons/contacts.
We'll have to see how long it lasts, I've asked the owner to step in to keep us up to date.
Disassembled
Here's one problem, the Top Two Carbon buttons on the faceplate were very dirty as were the corresponding contacts on the board
Oh yeah, I took the Passive Switch out and scrubbed it. It was filthy as they all get
OK crappy pics time. I probed each and every joint on the board and only two had cold solder joints, the Top and Bottom legs on the far right
On the operating table!
All fixed
So I recommend tearing the fob down completely and cleaning the Carbon buttons and contacts for the faceplate, checking the contacts for the battery for allignement and cleaniness and probing for cold/broken solder joints. There was evidence of some moisture behind the faceplate so that may explain the diry carbon buttons/contacts.
We'll have to see how long it lasts, I've asked the owner to step in to keep us up to date.
Many information will be helpful thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,987
Likes: 18
From: DuBois PA
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
No, that is the "rattle can" that provides the passive feature found only on the 97 - 99 Fobs.
Shoot me a PM if you still need someone to look at soldering/repairing your circuit board.
Tim
Shoot me a PM if you still need someone to look at soldering/repairing your circuit board.
Tim
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver WA
The soldering trick worked for me!!! Mine would work and then after 5 minutes would have to be re-synced. After 10 minutes of taking it apart and soldering as the picture showed...back in business.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,820
Likes: 34
From: Ravensdale WA
I looked at the thread and then at my fob. I do belive that those connections could be the problem. I will try to fix it this weekend. I don't need it so much now but I hate to throw stuff away. A spare can't hurt anything.