Keyless entry problems
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Olympia WA
Keyless entry problems
1999 FRC - I know there have been quite a few posts with keyless entry problems, and here's mine. My car didn't have a keyless fob when I purchased it so I picked up a used one. I put a new battery in it and had it tested at the GM dealer, it's good, every button works. When I follow the procedure to program it to the car it acts like it programs, but the fob does nothing when I try it. If I hold the lock and unlock buttons down for about 15 seconds the horn will sound and then the fob will work as it should, however, after about a minute it will not work anymore. For that minute I'm not starting the car or even opening the door. If I hold the buttons down again the horn will sound and the fob will work again, but only for a minute or so - - any ideas?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
More than likely, your fob is bad, a common problem. There was a post on what contacts to check for, and if you re-solder them, it fixes the fob.
More detail than you want, but these are "rolling code" fobs. They change every time you use them to a new "code" (for security reasons), based on the serial number of the fob. It actually accepts any of 256 codes, to allow if you have used another fob or acidentally pushed your fob button out of range of the car. But if part of the fob's circuit loses power, it "forgets" the code and needs re-synched, that is what you are doing when you push both buttons. Here is a link with all the details:
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/remote-entry1.htm
Outside chance, Check the charge of your car battery. 12.9 volts is fully charged, 11.4 volts is fully discharged. Does you DIC default to Odometer and loose gas mileage reading ? These are all signs of a low car battery.
More detail than you want, but these are "rolling code" fobs. They change every time you use them to a new "code" (for security reasons), based on the serial number of the fob. It actually accepts any of 256 codes, to allow if you have used another fob or acidentally pushed your fob button out of range of the car. But if part of the fob's circuit loses power, it "forgets" the code and needs re-synched, that is what you are doing when you push both buttons. Here is a link with all the details:
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/remote-entry1.htm
Outside chance, Check the charge of your car battery. 12.9 volts is fully charged, 11.4 volts is fully discharged. Does you DIC default to Odometer and loose gas mileage reading ? These are all signs of a low car battery.
Last edited by Oldvetter; Feb 3, 2009 at 07:08 PM.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Olympia WA
Thanks for the information - the car battery tests good and doesn't seem to be an issue, it must be the fob acting up. I guess I need to get another fob and keep my fingers crossed. My main concern is that it is something on the reciever end acting up that is causing it.
