Keyfob Range (Terrible)

[TacticalCucumber]

I'm in a 2020 Longhorn EcoDiesel here, and wondering how many people have issues with the keyfob range. What is the point of having remote start/tailgate release/whatever else if you literally have to be standing next to the truck for it to work? I get *MAYBE* 20ft of range out of it before it craps out. Anyone else have similar issues with their keyfobs? Super frustrating.

 

[Drewster]

Nope - do you have any aftermarket accessories plugged into your truck? I can hit the remote start as I'm walking up to the parking garage, and that's ~100 ft.

 

[Scram1500]

LED lights around causing interference? Try a new battery? How about the trick where you touch the fob to your head?

Quick Tip: Pointing Your Car Remote at Your Head Increases Its Range

Keyless entry remotes are great, but they don't always work how you want them to. One of the most common complaints is that they just don't reach far enough, and there's nothing more annoying when you can't remember where you parked. After all, what's the point of having "remote" entry if you...

driver-safety.wonderhowto.com

 

[TacticalCucumber]

Yeah I've tried the head trick. Haven't done any LED mods so unless factory LEDs are interfering, I'm not convinced of that, either.

I will eventually try a new battery but its been like this since I got it, and I haven't had it but 4000mi so I'm dubious that it would be the fob battery already. I'll report back if that helps, though.

 

[MValdez]

I have a 2019 Longhorn and both my keyfobs have exceptional range. I suggest taking yours back to dealership and see if they "might" be able to replace them

 

[Joshua022]

My brand new 21 does this, maybe 30ft of range. So I use the app more than anything.

 

[stevj]

LED lights around causing interference? Try a new battery? How about the trick where you touch the fob to your head?

Quick Tip: Pointing Your Car Remote at Your Head Increases Its Range

Keyless entry remotes are great, but they don't always work how you want them to. One of the most common complaints is that they just don't reach far enough, and there's nothing more annoying when you can't remember where you parked. After all, what's the point of having "remote" entry if you...

driver-safety.wonderhowto.com

Yeah I've tried the head trick. Haven't done any LED mods so unless factory LEDs are interfering, I'm not convinced of that, either.

I will eventually try a new battery but its been like this since I got it, and I haven't had it but 4000mi so I'm dubious that it would be the fob battery already. I'll report back if that helps, though.

I believe Scram1500's reference was to LED lights near the truck. Garage lights, etc.
Example: I had to put incandescent lamps back in my garage door opener because soon as I raised the door, the LED lamps came on and were interfering with my key fob. Soon as I took out the LED lamps, I could remote start from a hundred yards or so.

Steve

 

[kapinallinen2]

At my Lowe's, 300 feet or so.
Harris-Teeter, 50 foot on a good day. Too many other vehicles sharing the band I guess.

 

[eTorqueCoasting]

Would the truck's LED taillights have anything to do with this?

 

[kapinallinen2]

They could but should not. The tail lights are Fiat factory specified.

 

[securityguy]

Would the truck's LED taillights have anything to do with this?

No

 

[BowDown]

I know for a fact that mine works well over 300ft away, tested it at the gym. I park as far away from the front door as possible and I can see the lights flash, it unlock and remote start

 

[Drewster]

Would the truck's LED taillights have anything to do with this?

As others mentioned, no - the factory lights are designed and tested (with everything else on the truck) not to break regulations for electromagnetic interference that would cause this issue.

That being said, just about any aftermarket add-on could cause this, because they generally don't go through any testing - even FCC. If you have anything that didn't come from the factory installed (aftermarket tuner, pedal commander, LED's, whatever) you should remove it and see if the situation improves.

A few years ago I helped try to fix an aftermarket dongle that radiated so bad it would cause TPMS codes because it drowned out the wheel sensors

 

[Scram1500]

I believe Scram1500's reference was to LED lights near the truck. Garage lights, etc.
Example: I had to put incandescent lamps back in my garage door opener because soon as I raised the door, the LED lamps came on and were interfering with my key fob. Soon as I took out the LED lamps, I could remote start from a hundred yards or so.

Steve

Yes, thank you I was a little vague but any LED light in the area can affect the fob signal. Not to sound like a nut job, but the RF signal generated by LED should be scrutinized better (if at all anymore) by the FCC

 

[securityguy]

Yes, thank you I was a little vague but any LED light in the area can affect the fob signal. Not to sound like a nut job, but the RF signal generated by LED should be scrutinized better (if at all anymore) by the FCC

Not a nut job at all. However, do you really think the FCC is going to take the time, or has the resources, to check every cheap LED bulb being shipped here by China to see if it effects the fob operation of a RAM truck

 

[Scram1500]

Not a nut job at all. However, do you really think the FCC is going to take the time, or has the resources, to check every cheap LED bulb being shipped here by China to see if it effects the fob operation of a RAM truck

Lol, no I do not. Specially if they are under the "green energy" umbrella

 

[FL Laramie]

2019 Laramie and as others have said, no issues. Actually surprised how far it works (150'-200') at the beach parking lot. Nothing worse than lugging all the family beach gear to the beach entry and realizing you forgot to lock the truck. The fob distance is the best I've used.

 

[Drewster]

Lol, no I do not. Specially if they are under the "green energy" umbrella

It has more to do with deregulation in general. The automotive industry has to deal with strict regulations of their own, so they lobbied for an exemption from the FCC. You wouldn't want to over-regulate those key industries, right?
Lazy/ cheap aftermarket companies exploit that gap, because now they're not subject to either the automotive regulations (because FCA/ GM/ etc. isn't certifying them), and they can walk right through the giant "automotive exemption" from the FCC.

I will say that if you *do* find a set of noisy LED's, etc. you should report it to the FCC. That's how the system is supposed to work, and as long as people take their aftermarket stuff and go "huh, weird" and either live with or throw it those products in the trash, the FCC isn't going to bother with it. If it's radiating on those frequencies, there's a good chance the FCC really *should* look into it before it screws with something more important than a key FOB.

 

[brian42]

Are you using it near your cell phone? The Owner's Manual says that the fob is good for about 66' and that if other electronics are nearby that could interfere with the signal:

 

[OldMarine]

Had a 2013 Ford Edge with factory remote...worst range EVER...range was maybe 20 feet in a good day...my 19 Ram is really good... yours is definitely not normal