Key Fob Range

[peterk9]

Check out;
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=395807&highlight=remote+start+antenna

I believe the antenna is under the dash on the driver's side. I think I found it on fordparts.com once.

Peter

 

[markls8]

Thanks Peter.

 

[Tony407]

I've found my Explorer fob's range to be quite less-than-stellar compared to other vehicles I've owned. As someone else pointed out, holding the fob against your head or jawbone increases its range (as with every vehicle I've owned) but it's still disappointing.

Tony

 

[jmr061]

Any technical people on this board? On the same topic; I've always wondered where the antenna for the remote start or lock is located on the vehicle. The same one as the FM antenna? There would be an asymmetric range of reception around the vehicle depending on this. Tried to figure it out on the last vehicle when the fob battery was low, to no positive conclusion.

The antenna for keyless entry/remote start is the TPMS receiver located in the bottom rear of the center console. This is why RF interference is an issue with plugging stuff into your center console. If you have IA (Intelligent Access) then you have more antennas placed in "strategic" places for that functionality.

The PI Utility has a service brief out on interference and shielding and/or relocating the TPMS receiver.

 

[markls8]

The antenna for keyless entry/remote start is the TPMS receiver located in the bottom rear of the center console. This is why RF interference is an issue with plugging stuff into your center console. If you have IA (Intelligent Access) then you have more antennas placed in "strategic" places for that functionality.

The PI Utility has a service brief out on interference and shielding and/or relocating the TPMS receiver.

Thanks jmr- that coincides with instructions I saw somewhere for programming a smart remote; it gets put into a slot at the back of the glove box during the process. I figured there was some sort of antenna at that location.

 

[shewcj01]

Key Fob Distance

I have been lurking here for about a month and after finding a couple posts that were super beneficial I thought I would write something up.

I had a factory remote start installed last week on my 2014 Explorer XLT, thanks to the help of the forum I worked a great deal with the dealer for 2 keys and installation. They were trying to tell me about all the added stuff I needed, so I sent them a link this forum and magically the price was reduced!! I am so glad I took the time to work with them and educate them about system, having a warm car to get into was worth the few minutes of headache with them.

On to my remote fob, I was getting very inconsistent ranges and couldn't figure out why. Some days it would be 300' and others it was 30' with no major difference in conditions. Then I read about using a USB style phone charger in my center console and how that could cause interference with the key fob. I unplugged the USB style charger I was using and am now able to use my remote from across my apartment complex (300'+). This makes the remote start feature even more valuable.

I am sure I am not the only one who has had issues like this, but the thread was buried about 30 pages deep on the forum and I got lucky and stumbled upon it. So if you hear someone complaining about their key fob range this should be the first question to ask!

 

[peterk9]

Welcome to the Forum shewcj01.:wavey:
I have merged your thread with this existing one on the same topic.

Peter

 

[Tommy.D]

I'm happy that I now have remote start but have a question on distance on the base system. I have to be about 10 feet away for it to work. Is this normal or do I need additional equipment?
I know it should work up to 300 feet but that's not happening.

 

[bluelinebrotha]

The antenna for keyless entry/remote start is the TPMS receiver located in the bottom rear of the center console. This is why RF interference is an issue with plugging stuff into your center console. If you have IA (Intelligent Access) then you have more antennas placed in "strategic" places for that functionality.

The PI Utility has a service brief out on interference and shielding and/or relocating the TPMS receiver.

Hate to revive an old thread, but I believe this is my range issue. Any idea where I could find the bulletin on how to shield the transmitter?

 

[jmr061]

Hate to revive an old thread, but I believe this is my range issue. Any idea where I could find the bulletin on how to shield the transmitter?

https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/topics/2012/modGuide.html

 

[peterk9]

Hate to revive an old thread, but I believe this is my range issue. Any idea where I could find the bulletin on how to shield the transmitter?

The antennas in the Explorer would be used as receivers, not transmitters. I'm guessing that if you shield them that you would also likely cut down their sensitivity to the remote start signal,etc.

Peter

 

[jmr061]

Correct it is a receiver. The bulletin includes info on shielding TPMS cable and placing the TMPS receiver elsewhere for better reception while lengthening and shielding the cable. It also states any additional wiring that runs near the TMPS receiver itself and its wiring should be shielded.

 

[bluelinebrotha]

I've seen that box actually, the one that i usually in the center console on regular explorers, but on mine was behind the power ports in the middle of the console right near the floor. I think I tucked it back in but am not sure.

I run a 4G wifi card in my car at all times and it's usually plugged in. I unplugged my led usb scosche charger and forgot to turn off the 4G card to see if that was the cause. I'll do process of elimination, but will also shield all wiring coming from the tpms module. The car has been throwing the TPMS fault now and then as well, so it's bound to be something RF related because I can be standing right next to the car and it won't lock/unlock with the fob unless i hit it "just right"

 

[gatzdon]

https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/topics/2012/modGuide.html

Do you know if anyone sells that pigtail premade for relocating the receiver?

Heck, I would also take a suggestion on where to relocate it to.

 

[jmr061]

Do you know if anyone sells that pigtail premade for relocating the receiver?

Heck, I would also take a suggestion on where to relocate it to.

I don't...

 

[Lostinmt]

USB Charger Interferences With Key FOB

I can absolutely confirm that certain USB chargers left in the cigarette lighter plugs either in the center divider or the front interfere with my 2013 Explorer Limited key FOB distance. These chargers are powered on even when the car is turner off. When I plug my Belkin Model F8Z446 Micro-Auto USB Charger into the outlet inside the center divider console it reduces the distance of the key FOB to about 30 feet. I recommend that you remove all USB chargers and see if that helps.

Here are comments from another forum user that I ran across before I solved my problem:

I've had terrible range from my remote unlock and start for several months now. I mentioned it to the service manager when I took it in for some maintenance last week and he said he'd check it out. When I went to pick it up he asked me what I had plugged into the back of the center console in the cigarette lighter socket, I told him it was a USB charger for my kids who ride in the back seat. He said that he had seen issues where USB devices plugged into that port would interfere with the remote. At this point I was thinking "whatever" I'll just unplug it and he can try it again. Sure enough, where we were getting only about 15-20 feet away, we were able to walk all the way to the end of the service bay which must have been 50 yards or more. Just to be sure, I plugged the USB charger in and retested it - again we could only get at most 20-30 feet away before it would no longer unlock or remote start.

I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it myself. Anyway, might be something to check for anyone else having distance problems with their remotes.

 

[bluelinebrotha]

I can confirm it was the 4G wireless card that was interfering (badly). Guess I just need to remember to turn the sucker off when I get out of the car and not keep it plugged in

 

[SueW]

Hi all! I'm new here. I bought my 2015 Explorer Limited in July and have had issues with the distance for the key fob ever since. The distance varies all the time & I couldn't figure out why....until I looked here. Your posts about UNPLUGGING the cords from the USB ports helped BIG TIME! I haven't gone out to unplug it yet, but when I do, I can't wait to check out the distance I can unlock it & use the remote start. It's cold here & I'm not a fan of having to walk outside to within 10' for the fob to finally start the car. Hoping that I will be able to start the car from INSIDE my house or my work place. I know it's probably stupid, but something little like this makes me so freaking happy - because it's new to me. LOL Have a great day everyone!!

 

[peterk9]

Welcome to the Forum Sue.
Your thread was merged with this one.
I believe the typical range of the OEM fob is about 300'.

Peter

 

[MisterWizard]

Has anyone else noticed or have the problem that the keyfob range is really poor or does not work? When returning to my vehicle after going into a store, it does not seem like it works at all to unlock the doors until I'm right next to the door. I noticed today that when leaving the car, it would still work at 100'+. Anyone else having this problem? It happens with both remotes.

2013 Limited here, range on the remote lock/unlock/start is absolutely terrible. I have replaced batteries in the remotes, no change.
From what I understand, the remote system shares its antenna with the TPMS system, and it is located in the lower rear section of the center console.
That boggles my mind that they would put an antenna for a remote start system buried in the lower part of the vehicle body.
As far as I know, there aren't any kits to retrofit a better antenna system, so the range is just going to be crap.
Coming from a Tahoe that had an aftermarket DEI/Viper system that would start the truck from over 2 blocks away, the Explorer's system is a major disappointment.
If anyone has any fixes, knows of a better antenna system that could be retrofitted, I'm all ears.