Key fobs stopped working; here's how I fixed it

[alrock]

My key fobs have been working intermittently. I changed the batteries in both and that didn't fix anything, so I figured it was the BCM, the programming or the reception of the BCM's antenna.

It was suggested to me that I reset the Personalization (beeps, etc. when activating) to see if that would force the fobs to relearn a bit. Once in the truck, I was able to get the fobs working, but it was like they were really weak and it was hard to get the doors to lock/unlock.

While sitting there, I took down my Verizon 4G tablet and turned it off as I wouldn't be needing it for a while (I've got it mounted in the truck). All of the sudden, the key fobs were working. It appears the radios in the tablet were interfering with the fob signals. While I haven't tested it yet, I suspect that if I left my phone on in the H3 the same thing would happen.

I had noticed that some areas that I park the fobs sometimes have a difficult time working. I wasn't sure if it was door opener radios or something else, but it's a regular occurrence if I park in the same spot outside of a particular store.

Here's the tablet install for the curious.

 

[Gunner_45]

If it does that to your key fobs, maybe it is time to break out your tin foil hat.

 

[LagunaH1]

What frequencies are the fobs operating on?

 

[Woodtick]

RF noise is becoming a big problem. One of my customers,Cambium Networks,gets hired by the big boys to figure out where the noise is coming from. You can't arm your cars alarm with in a few blocks of the Sears tower. This is been going on for years. It screws with the equipment I service in that area. The engineers from Watt Master Control came out to our site,and couldn't put a finger on it. Watt Master told me they have a similar problem in a area in Seatle.

 

[LagunaH1]

It really is. -And, poorly designed devices which are not well shielded and / or emit RF on frequencies they aren't supposed to.....companies skirting the FCC part 15 rule & regs. I often have to turn up the squelch a LOT on my HAM radios when I pass through or stop in intersections, the list goes on. LOTS and lots of RF pollution out there.