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Key fob question

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Old Sep 29, 2017 | 06:29 PM
  #1  
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Default Key fob question

I have read about every post I can find on here (maybe I missed a couple) but all the key fob problems seem to be:

1. Usually a battery problem
2. Bad connections inside fob
3. Wrong fob

Mine works fine but only from certain directions from the car and under about 15' distance.

The batteries are new and I checked them with a voltmeter to verify power.

The fobs work only in the green areas of the picture......



Any help would be appreciated...
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Old Sep 30, 2017 | 12:07 AM
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First, the receiver for the fob is just above and slightly in front of the driver side rear wheel. That might explain the green reception areas you've shown. Second, while you've tested the batteries, you might still be suffering from the fob cold/broken solder problem. I'd suggest you resolder your fob as shown in this thread. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...em-solved.html Lastly, you might just try this for fun. It appears that it really does work. There are other videos that show this same thing and many others that offer suggestions for increased range. GL and let us know how it goes.
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Old Sep 30, 2017 | 03:04 AM
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I have read the threads on re-soldering the fobs but it look more delicate than I can solder. I am buying a new fob in 2 weeks and will try that one.

If that is the same I guess I pull the inside apart to check the receiver, can the antennae come off of them maybe or one of them come off?

I don't know I will get the new fob and go from there....Just thought someone had an idea I was overlooking.

Thanks for your input Cactuscat.
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Old Sep 30, 2017 | 05:49 AM
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I purchased my FOB's from Amazon and they were cheep and work well.
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Old Sep 30, 2017 | 06:30 AM
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I just bought new fobs. I got 2 from AliExpress for $4 something each just to try then I forgot I’d ordered them and ordered 2 from ebay for $8 ish each. They all worked perfectly.
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Old Sep 30, 2017 | 09:20 AM
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Open up your fob and look at it. It is not difficult at all to resolder the 6 spots shown as long as you have a fine point soldering iron. WallyWorld has a 3M brand soldering iron for less than $6. You just should check and to resolder, you can usually just touch the existing solder point and make sure they're connected properly. Not hard at all. I had to fix both my fobs when I got my 98. That was years ago. I'd rather spend my $$ on other things (like superchargers hahah). GL with your choices.
CC

Originally Posted by C5 Newb
I have read the threads on re-soldering the fobs but it look more delicate than I can solder. I am buying a new fob in 2 weeks and will try that one.

If that is the same I guess I pull the inside apart to check the receiver, can the antennae come off of them maybe or one of them come off?

I don't know I will get the new fob and go from there....Just thought someone had an idea I was overlooking.

Thanks for your input Cactuscat.

Last edited by CactusCat; Sep 30, 2017 at 09:41 AM.
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Old Sep 30, 2017 | 09:24 AM
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There is nothing like a really good solder station to get control over your work.
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Old Sep 30, 2017 | 09:52 AM
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100% agreement. A good soldering station is a fine tool to have. I do IT work and have occasions where I need to solder certain items. I've had a Weller station (old but works) for a long time but I decided to purchase a station with more features and better controls. Got a nice station (Chinese of course for about $45 - US ver was $100 higher) off the auction site. http://www.ebay.com/itm/852D-SOLDERI...0AAOSwOfBZwTs4 Check out the tips with that one. There is one very fine point tip that I like to use. Anyway, I was recently given a "dead" non-working 70" Vizio tv where the original owner was reimbursed by the store since the tv "couldn't" be fixed. The store didn't want the TV back since the "panels" were dead. Turns out that wasn't the case at all. Did some Google research to find that model had a horizontal driver chip issue that would blow out a transistor on the tcon board. I ordered some newer, stronger transistors off ebay for $10 plus a new remote for $6. Replaced the transistor (not for the faint hearted as it is REALLY tiny), found the bad horizontal drive chip and removed it and now have a working, super sharp 70" TV for $16. Me likey a lot!!! Wouldn't have been possible without the soldering station.
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Old Oct 2, 2017 | 02:18 AM
  #9  
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Default Well hell,

I guess I will try to solder my FOB since I am planning on buying one anyways what is the worst that can happen? That I screw mine up and have to buy one anyways?

I'll try to see if I can make a difference on mine before I order one new.

I know that FOB's for the 97 - 2000 are different than the FOB's for the 2001 - 2004 and they are NOT interchangeable so I will order the correct one if I go that route....

Thanks for all the input, I'll let ya know how my soldering job goes.
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Old Oct 2, 2017 | 08:09 AM
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C5 Newb, I think you'll be just fine. If you're not familiar with soldering, its not very hard. Just remember to not try to keep the iron on the piece being soldered for long lengths of time (just a few seconds is usually enough, like 3-4 seconds or less). Don't solder until your soldering iron is fully hot so if you have an inexpensive plug in model, wait a few minutes before soldering until the iron is completely hot. You can also find plenty of how to solder videos on youtube. Lastly, if you're not comfortable doing it, take your fob to a tv repair facility and have them do it. It's really not that hard though. GL and let us know what you find.
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