So I am having trouble getting my car to receive the signal from the remote. Yes, I replaced the battery in the remote and the battery in the car is new and fully charged. And ideas? Ever heard of the remote going bad? I have the retro key set up with separate remote. Where is the antenna for the remote receiver in the car located?

Thanks
Christian

 

My remote battery is new too . . . and I have to be within about 5 feet for it to work.

Scott

 

I can be touching the side window with the remote and it only chooses to work randomly and not at convenient times.

 

Me too! I have to be standing in front of my car. I can be standing next to the rear bumper and I'll have to walk around to the front for remote to work. Not really a big deal, though...

 

Mine works the poorest from the rear. I find myself going to one side or the other to get it to work sometimes. Not that big a deal, but sometimes annoying.

 

Ditto. New battery still have to be right next to the car.

 

I see a pattern developing here. So who is going to be the first to come up with a solution? How about one of our electrical engineers figures out a way to boost the power out of these little remotes...


If I could stand in one place and it worked ever time I would not worry about it. Instead I end up making about 10 laps around the car before it opens. I must look like I am scoping the place out for a break in.

CB

 

You can take the passenger seat out and open the remote receiver box. Solder a piece of wire to the
board and extend it up towards the window and you can open your car from 100' away.
The next way is to attach an antenna to the remote, but that would look weird.
The problem is the position of the receiver, under the seat and on the floor.
Sometimes it's a good thing to only work from close proximity. Chris

 

I am not sure about the receiver antenna under the passenger seat... new battery and all that, I must be within inches of the rear edge of the drivers door by the door handle or very near the passenger side mirror. Sometimes I must press and press as I move the remote around. It is annoying. I have a audio amp sitting over the receiver box, but I had the problem prior to adding the amp. I would be game to add a wire to extend the antenna. Does anyone have picture of 'just where' to solder the wire to the PC board?

The remote for my truck works from 150 feet away

Thanks!!!

 

Same problem with mine- have to point the remote at the windshield from < 2 ft away, even with a fresh battery. Chris, have you done the DIY? If so, maybe more details?

Jim

 

I had a the same problem with a remote starter on another car. Even though they were new batteries it had no range. I clean the terminals and the battery in the remote and it was good as new.

 

If you keep the battery fresh, terminals clean, and point it at the windshiled or side windows, it should work as designed. I have never had a problem if I do those things.

 

I was always told that the signal was intentionally weak to thwart remote code stealing devices...

For an even more arcane Porsche urban legend, if you hold the remote to your chin when you activate it, it will supposedly boost the signal.

 

It does!....by getting it up above the sheet metal and at a good angle.....you could also set it on top of your head and stand on one foot while activating the device.

 

I too would be interested in seeing a diagram of where to solder and extra wire. Has anyone done this...?