Keyfob hard to open truck?

[outatime]

Hi again

Not sure if this is a common issue but I own a 2007 Sport Trac V8 Ltd and for about a year I have issues locking and unlocking the truck. Unless I stand with the keyfob pushed up against or near the window I can't open the truck. Of course first thing I did was change the batteries but no difference and its not a bad fob as I then went to my spare and the exact same issue. Strange one.

Anyone ever had this before?

Thanks

Stuart

 

[mrcube07]

Mine has a hard time unlocking in my parking garage if there is a lot of interference, such as other cars ect. Try to go to an auto parts store and test the fobs JUST to be sure, there should be a testing station right by the counter. Maybe try testing it in an open parking lot. Dose the panic alarm do the same thing? Sorry if I cant be much help :/ these are just things off the top of my head.

 

[rmcalis]

Coincidentally, just last night I tested the range of my fob (I occasionally do this to check my battery) . I was in a grocery store parking lot and was able to open the doors at about 60 paces (close to 180 feet). I could tell when the doors unlocked by the cargo lights on the cab.

 

[Tech By Trade]

Busted antenna wire on the receiver or something. I can unlock mine half way across the parking lot at work.

 

[mrcube07]

That could also be a possibility, on my old bronco there was an antenna wire that if you unplugged it. The truck would be hard to unlock, with the sport tracs, I don't think that there is a replaceable antenna. Meaning it COULD be the smart junction box. Now I'm not saying that this is it, it is only a possibility, I personally never seen a SJB antenna only fail I would test the remotes 100% before replacing the 200+ dollar box of course. Do you have a keypad? If so does the keypad work fine?

 

[Tike]

smart junction boxes are burried in the dash. dealer charges 550+ to replace and configure. could do it your self no problem over a weekend. just need to get it configured at a dealer. it will change your master key pad code entry if u have one.

can send u instructions if u want.

 

[mrcube07]

So I found out that the antenna that the SJB uses is the same for the radio! try changing the radio antenna out AND MAKE SURE there is not bluetooth adapters near the truck that will cause your issue. Some one had a bluetooth adapter in his truck and you would only be able to unlock it 5 inches from the truck with it plugged in. If he unplugged it, the truck would unlock from like 100+ feet away. Try those before spending 550+

 

[Tike]

smart junction boxes are burried in the dash. dealer charges 550+ to replace and configure. could do it your self no problem over a weekend. just need to get it configured at a dealer. it will change your master key pad code entry if u have one.

So I found out that the antenna that the SJB uses is the same for the radio! try changing the radio antenna out AND MAKE SURE there is not bluetooth adapters near the truck that will cause your issue. Some one had a bluetooth adapter in his truck and you would only be able to unlock it 5 inches from the truck with it plugged in. If he unplugged it, the truck would unlock from like 100+ feet away. Try those before spending 550+

Do you happen to know the Freqeuncy of the FOBs? that could help when buying Bluetooth products! i have Bluetooth and wifi radio no issues, now im curious

 

[Tech By Trade]

Just checked on my agilent E4442A PSA on my work bench. the unlock and lock pulses are at 314.25 MHZ.