Key fob range down to 1m from 15m and it's not the fob battery :)
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Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 76
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From: Toulouse, France
Key fob range down to 1m from 15m and it's not the fob battery :)
Hi everyone,
Has anyone had failure of the security module (433 MHz) that is located under the fuse box next to the battery? I've tried the fob with 3 new batteries, but that didn't help.
I'm trying to trace why the range on both fob remotes went suddenly down to 1m, i.e. you now have to hold the fob over the back window before any of the 4 buttons work. Checked the electrics and the antenna in the back window is still connected to the coax cable that goes into the security module.
Has anyone had failure of the security module (433 MHz) that is located under the fuse box next to the battery? I've tried the fob with 3 new batteries, but that didn't help.
I'm trying to trace why the range on both fob remotes went suddenly down to 1m, i.e. you now have to hold the fob over the back window before any of the 4 buttons work. Checked the electrics and the antenna in the back window is still connected to the coax cable that goes into the security module.
Popular Reply
Feb 2, 2019, 04:17 PM
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 1
Likes: 11
From: Belgium
How I got it fixed.
I had exactly the same problem. The range of both my key fobs was 0.5m from the back window. I did check the key fobs, the antenna, the coax cable, the grounding on the roof, all connections… nothing worked.
I took out the security module and opened it. I inspected both print boards under a magnifying glass. There is a flat cable that connects both print boards. Were the cable connects to the small signal receiver board I discovered some damaged soldering. This was almost not visible to the naked eye. I had to take the print board out to be able to see this because it’s on the back side. I soldered the 3 points very careful and put it all together. (Please don’t try this if you’re not used to do soldering on a print board, ask someone who is) I think that the bad soldering has the same effect as a bad car battery. The flat cable has 3 wires. I presume + - and a signal to the main print. If the + or – are not nice connected, than the receiver print don’t gets the power it needs.
Now my remotes work from 50m distance. (55 yards)
I hope this can help someone.
here you can find the pictures
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1iI...AE_VGFxoEPSsm-
I took out the security module and opened it. I inspected both print boards under a magnifying glass. There is a flat cable that connects both print boards. Were the cable connects to the small signal receiver board I discovered some damaged soldering. This was almost not visible to the naked eye. I had to take the print board out to be able to see this because it’s on the back side. I soldered the 3 points very careful and put it all together. (Please don’t try this if you’re not used to do soldering on a print board, ask someone who is) I think that the bad soldering has the same effect as a bad car battery. The flat cable has 3 wires. I presume + - and a signal to the main print. If the + or – are not nice connected, than the receiver print don’t gets the power it needs.
Now my remotes work from 50m distance. (55 yards)
I hope this can help someone.
here you can find the pictures
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1iI...AE_VGFxoEPSsm-
Thread Starter
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Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 76
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From: Toulouse, France
Ah thanks for the info.
I am tending towards the same conclusion, having spent a few happy hours checking the antenna (in the back window) continuity, removing, opening and inspecting the security and locking module. Plus of course the usual reprogramming of the remotes and spending about 40 euros buying new fob batteries! Was considering buying a new / used fob, but they're about 130 euros and a bit of a gamble. Since the car battery is about the same price I'll go that route.
Thanks.
I am tending towards the same conclusion, having spent a few happy hours checking the antenna (in the back window) continuity, removing, opening and inspecting the security and locking module. Plus of course the usual reprogramming of the remotes and spending about 40 euros buying new fob batteries! Was considering buying a new / used fob, but they're about 130 euros and a bit of a gamble. Since the car battery is about the same price I'll go that route.
Thanks.
Veteran Member
Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Portsmouth, England
I've had this problem for years! While I haven't pursued it with real determination having learned to live with it, I have tried a new fob battery (both fobs), new car battery, all aerial connections checked, connection to rear window element re-soldered and a temporary new aerial taped to rear window. The operating range remains stubbornly close to the car! Replacing the security module seems a bit extreme for the scale of the problem, but any other potential solutions would be welcome!
Thread Starter
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Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 76
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From: Toulouse, France
Was the range ever good, say 10m to 15m like mine used to be.
Could be local radio interference at 433MHz too, or 315MHz if you're in the USA. In the years since these systems were designed, the airwaves have become more saturated with 3G, 4G, IOT etc.
Could be local radio interference at 433MHz too, or 315MHz if you're in the USA. In the years since these systems were designed, the airwaves have become more saturated with 3G, 4G, IOT etc.
Veteran Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,114
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From: Portsmouth, England
It's always been short range since I bought the car when it was three years old, nine years ago. I've toured extensively in both the UK and France and it's always been the same wherever I am! Everything else to do with locking and security is fine.
My X Type, same frequency I believe, has no problems.
My X Type, same frequency I believe, has no problems.
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Joined: May 2017
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From: exmouth
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Veteran Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,059
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From: Spain
If you really want longer range from your remote, how about adding an aftermarket rolling remote?
Put the original remote in the boot, wire the buttons up to the receiver module of your new remote and voilà, brand new remote with a range of 600 feet rather than 30 inches.
Put the original remote in the boot, wire the buttons up to the receiver module of your new remote and voilà, brand new remote with a range of 600 feet rather than 30 inches.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 198
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From: Chaparral, New Mexico
remote working at a distance of 600 feet.
I would like to know how "dibbit" made his remote work at a distance of 600 feet. I read his information in the post but didn't understand. I tried to send a message but it wouldn't go. If someone can explain and show pictures of how it was done I would appreciate e greatly.
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Joined: Sep 2016
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by the way....z4? I love bmw's , but really have you considered and driven a honda s2000, it's a great roadster, simple to maintain, and way better looking, besides it's engineering superiority and performance??? (here in calif they are only going up in value, are becoming rare...i have mine since 2003)
Last edited by hirev; Nov 8, 2018 at 12:34 AM.
Veteran Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,059
Likes: 1,017
From: Spain
I would like to know how "dibbit" made his remote work at a distance of 600 feet. I read his information in the post but didn't understand. I tried to send a message but it wouldn't go. If someone can explain and show pictures of how it was done I would appreciate e greatly.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 1
Likes: 11
From: Belgium
How I got it fixed.
I had exactly the same problem. The range of both my key fobs was 0.5m from the back window. I did check the key fobs, the antenna, the coax cable, the grounding on the roof, all connections… nothing worked.
I took out the security module and opened it. I inspected both print boards under a magnifying glass. There is a flat cable that connects both print boards. Were the cable connects to the small signal receiver board I discovered some damaged soldering. This was almost not visible to the naked eye. I had to take the print board out to be able to see this because it’s on the back side. I soldered the 3 points very careful and put it all together. (Please don’t try this if you’re not used to do soldering on a print board, ask someone who is) I think that the bad soldering has the same effect as a bad car battery. The flat cable has 3 wires. I presume + - and a signal to the main print. If the + or – are not nice connected, than the receiver print don’t gets the power it needs.
Now my remotes work from 50m distance. (55 yards)
I hope this can help someone.
here you can find the pictures
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1iI...AE_VGFxoEPSsm-
I took out the security module and opened it. I inspected both print boards under a magnifying glass. There is a flat cable that connects both print boards. Were the cable connects to the small signal receiver board I discovered some damaged soldering. This was almost not visible to the naked eye. I had to take the print board out to be able to see this because it’s on the back side. I soldered the 3 points very careful and put it all together. (Please don’t try this if you’re not used to do soldering on a print board, ask someone who is) I think that the bad soldering has the same effect as a bad car battery. The flat cable has 3 wires. I presume + - and a signal to the main print. If the + or – are not nice connected, than the receiver print don’t gets the power it needs.
Now my remotes work from 50m distance. (55 yards)
I hope this can help someone.
here you can find the pictures
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1iI...AE_VGFxoEPSsm-
Veteran Member
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,323
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From: S.W.Florida
I am finding my FOB getting weaker as I use it. I suspect the FOB battery may be the fault as I have just purchased the car and plan to change the battery. I believe I have read in other threads that one has about 30 minutes time to change the batter before the FOB has to be reprogrammed?
Can anyone tell me the Battery # so that I can get 1 or 2 replacements before I pull the old one. That way I can have replacement in hand for the change out.
Also, my local hardware store has Universal replacement FOBs. Will these work on out cars? Anyone had experience with them?
Can anyone tell me the Battery # so that I can get 1 or 2 replacements before I pull the old one. That way I can have replacement in hand for the change out.
Also, my local hardware store has Universal replacement FOBs. Will these work on out cars? Anyone had experience with them?
