AJT Key Fob Case users. ****Read this*****

[HSKR R/T]

If you are one of those who bought the AJT Key Fob case

Products | ajt-design

www.ajtdesign-llc.com

Please make sure you follow this. The instructions from AJT do not include a very important part. This bit me in the *** over the weekend when I was unable to start my truck after the fob battery died. Inside the factory fob case is a RFID chip that must be transfered to the AJT case. There is no mention of this from AJT. This chip is the only way you will be able to start the truck should the fob die. I'm guessing my fob battery had just enough juice to unlock my doors, but then couldn't start it. without that chip, pushing the fob against the start/stop button doesn't do anything. I confirmed this by removing the chip from my factory fob, which required cutting the factory fob, because it's glued in. Then went to my truck, with all fobs in my house, and with just the chip pushing on the start/stop button the truck started.

Picture of the chip in factory fob case

Picture of chip removed and damaged to factory case


Picture of chip in the slot in the AJT case, I can only assume was.mesnt for the chip. Even though AJT instructions make zero mention of this

 

[DeanM2]

Can't really see how you go the chip out of the OEM case. You say you cut the OEM case, but it does not look cut. Can you please provide a bit more detail as to how you go the chip out. And from that experience, is there any chance of putting it back into the OEM case, should you want to go back to the OEM case?
In your pictures, the RFID chip looks likes its encapsulated in plastic and therefore a bit protected. Is that correct?

 

[HSKR R/T]

Can't really see how you go the chip out of the OEM case. You say you cut the OEM case, but it does not look cut. Can you please provide a bit more detail as to how you go the chip out. And from that experience, is there any chance of putting it back into the OEM case, should you want to go back to the OEM case?
In your pictures, the RFID chip looks likes its encapsulated in plastic and therefore a bit protected. Is that correct?

Yes, it is a bit protected. As far as getting it out of the case, I tried using some small jewlers screwdrivers to pry it out, but it wasn't happening. Went out to garage and grabbed a razor blade and pushed it down the sides to break the glue on the sides, and cut the ends of the little pocket it was sitting in. Still couldn't get it pried up. Then took some flush cut wire cutters and started to cut the side of the little pocket it was sitting in. Got one end removed and was able to get screwdriver underneath the chip and finally popped loose. You may have to clean up some of the glue off the sides of chip to fit it in the slot of AJT case as it just fits inside.

 

[DeanM2]

I just looked at my 2023 OEM keyfob. It does not have the RFID shown in the picture, so I am guessing that is no longer a "feature".

 

[Charles Town Mike]

Yes, it is a bit protected. As far as getting it out of the case, I tried using some small jewlers screwdrivers to pry it out, but it wasn't happening. Went out to garage and grabbed a razor blade and pushed it down the sides to break the glue on the sides, and cut the ends of the little pocket it was sitting in. Still couldn't get it pried up. Then took some flush cut wire cutters and started to cut the side of the little pocket it was sitting in. Got one end removed and was able to get screwdriver underneath the chip and finally popped loose. You may have to clean up some of the glue off the sides of chip to fit it in the slot of AJT case as it just fits inside.

Thanks for the posts. Sadly I no longer have original fob case with the chip in it. I suppose only solution now is to put extra battery in the console and when/if the fob battery dies, I can change it out. Really wish I would have known about this when I got the fob from AJT. I imagine there are others in the same boat. If anybody has a better idea please let me know.

 

[Dewey]

Thanks for the posts. Sadly I no longer have original fob case with the chip in it. I suppose only solution now is to put extra battery in the console and when/if the fob battery dies, I can change it out. Really wish I would have known about this when I got the fob from AJT. I imagine there are others in the same boat. If anybody has a better idea please let me know.

Extra batteries in the console are the best insurance. I always have spares just for that reason.

 

[HSKR R/T]

Thanks for the posts. Sadly I no longer have original fob case with the chip in it. I suppose only solution now is to put extra battery in the console and when/if the fob battery dies, I can change it out. Really wish I would have known about this when I got the fob from AJT. I imagine there are others in the same boat. If anybody has a better idea please let me know.

I kept my original fob cases. They don't take up much space, and can swap them back if zi ever decide to sell the truck

 

[Scarlet Beast]

Thanks for this. I will make sure to do this when I get home

 

[Humer91]

My 2022 doesn’t have the RFID chip either

 

[Merlin]

I just went outside with the old key fob that I took the guts out of and it started my truck. Thank you for the heads up. I guess I will be doing some surgery later on.

 

[HSKR R/T]

I just looked at my 2023 OEM keyfob. It does not have the RFID shown in the picture, so I am guessing that is no longer a "feature".

My 2022 doesn’t have the RFID chip either

Unless they moved the chip onto the circuit board, it has to have one somewhere.

 

[Merlin]

I did some surgery, a few scrapes, 1 broken razor blade but I got the RFID chip out. My wife didn't believe it would start my truck. I left my keys in the house, went outside with the chip and pressed it and viola! Ty for posting this thread!

 

[W Six]

If the trucks locked, and you have the RFID chip,but not the fob, and grab the door handle, will the door unlock and open?

 

[Merlin]

I have a 19 Bighorn and I don't have that ability even with the key fob. I have to unlock with the fob, or I can use the key to unlock the door. If I use the key the security system goes off, then you have to use the RFID chip to start the truck and the alarm goes off. The original ram key fob had the key attached, I took the pin out and its in the back of the AJT Key Fob.

 

[HSKR R/T]

If the trucks locked, and you have the RFID chip,but not the fob, and grab the door handle, will the door unlock and open?

The chip will not work for proximity entry

 

[titan3636]

OMG Thanks for this!!!
I cannot believe this tiny piece started my truck all by itself!

 

[titan3636]

Has anyone pointed out to AJT to add this to their instructions?

 

[HSKR R/T]

Has anyone pointed out to AJT to add this to their instructions?

I reached out to them when I discovered it. Got no response

 

[Draconicus Mechanicus]

BLUF: 22+ year trucks have the chip built into the board. If your truck is '22 and newer, don't be worried about the lack of a chip, and test this once you remove the board to verify you're good to go.


My 2022 also did not have this chip in the factory fob, just the empty pocket. So in the name of science, I removed the board from my AJT case, and took it out the the truck. Just the bare board, no battery, no cases, only the board was with me, and pushing the button with it and it started the truck. I did have to angle it so the large chip on the backside of the board was facing the button, pushing with just the nose of the board did not do it.

So for everyone else, with three people so confirming, it seems 2022+ year trucks do not have a separate chip for this backup start functionality, instead it is on the circuit board itself now. From my one time experience with just the bare board, it seems you need to use the nose of the fob and have it slightly tipped, exposing more of the backside to the start button and the fob buttons leaning more towards yourself. That may have been just a fluke though, however having the board pointing straight to the button did not work with three or so presses. Angling it got it first try.

 

[DeanM2]

BLUF: 22+ year trucks have the chip built into the board. If your truck is '22 and newer, don't be worried about the lack of a chip, and test this once you remove the board to verify you're good to go.


My 2022 also did not have this chip in the factory fob, just the empty pocket. So in the name of science, I removed the board from my AJT case, and took it out the the truck. Just the bare board, no battery, no cases, only the board was with me, and pushing the button with it and it started the truck. I did have to angle it so the large chip on the backside of the board was facing the button, pushing with just the nose of the board did not do it.

So for everyone else, with three people so confirming, it seems 2022+ year trucks do not have a separate chip for this backup start functionality, instead it is on the circuit board itself now. From my one time experience with just the bare board, it seems you need to use the nose of the fob and have it slightly tipped, exposing more of the backside to the start button and the fob buttons leaning more towards yourself. That may have been just a fluke though, however having the board pointing straight to the button did not work with three or so presses. Angling it got it first try.

Would love to see a picture of what you found to be the optimal way to point the AJT case at the truck.