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keyless entry distance

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Old Mar 21, 2008 | 01:26 PM
  #1  
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Default keyless entry distance

I tried searching for similar words for this and couldn't return anything...

SO.. when i first got my car i could unlock it from far away...

now if i'm not within 10ft it won't work...

is there a way to fix this?
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Old Mar 21, 2008 | 01:53 PM
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I have the same problem! I tried putting a new batt. in the key fob but it helped out only for a short time.
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Old Mar 21, 2008 | 02:17 PM
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it didn't even help me..i was pissed! LOL.
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Old Mar 21, 2008 | 06:57 PM
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didnt help me at all, i have 2 pads, 1 brand new never used 1 i use everyday. i switched to see and the first few times it worked from like 20-25 ft, then it started workin like the other one from about 10 ft
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Old Mar 21, 2008 | 07:05 PM
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mine works when I'm on my 3rd floor balcony probably 40+ yards away no joke.. but I'm also really high so maybe that helps it.. I can take a vid for disbelievers too
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Old Mar 21, 2008 | 08:45 PM
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hold it up to your chin next time + try =p
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Old Mar 21, 2008 | 09:14 PM
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Just as a side note, put the remote against an aluminum door or a metal hand rail. 200-300ft or more

Works like a huge antenna.
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Old Mar 22, 2008 | 09:28 AM
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Originally Posted by RAMPANT
Just as a side note, put the remote against an aluminum door or a metal hand rail. 200-300ft or more

Works like a huge antenna.
and as another side note, get on the phone with a person next to your car and have them set their phone on your door. Press the unlock button and have it work via cell phone from any distance. I've had this work 150 miles away one time when I locked my keys in my car and had the person with the other set unlock it via cell phone
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Old Mar 22, 2008 | 10:01 AM
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Originally Posted by Brian2006
and as another side note, get on the phone with a person next to your car and have them set their phone on your door. Press the unlock button and have it work via cell phone from any distance. I've had this work 150 miles away one time when I locked my keys in my car and had the person with the other set unlock it via cell phone
Let me guess.... sarcasm.... because considering how keyless systems and cell phone systems work, that is not possible.
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Old Mar 22, 2008 | 10:04 AM
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Originally Posted by VIP1
Let me guess.... sarcasm.... because considering how keyless systems and cell phone systems work, that is not possible.
Not sarcasm. Give it a try. It works on some vehicles but not on all. Even works on late model fords and dodge trucks from what I've tried. Just gotta place the cell phone in the correct spot.
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Old Mar 22, 2008 | 10:15 AM
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jesus that's some crazy **** I'm gonna try that
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Old Mar 22, 2008 | 02:00 PM
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wtf that is awesome... where do you put the phone on the door?
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Old Mar 24, 2008 | 01:35 AM
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sorry but wats the cheapest place to replace our keyless entry remotes..mine is beat up and i dont think even a new battery can save it
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Old Mar 24, 2008 | 02:23 AM
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Originally Posted by Brian2006
I've had this work 150 miles away one time when I locked my keys in my car...


Not saying it isn't possible in some way for some weird remotes, but definitely is not on our cars.

As mentioned....they operate in completely different ways. I don't know the frequency of the remotes, but the transmitting frequency of the cell phone is probably much higher, and likely would be preserved anyway due to likely varying components used. So the only sure way with any cell phone is to base the transmission on sound. Cell phones use microphones to receive the data for transmission. A microphone takes varying pressure waves in the air and converts them into varying electrical signals. The wave from the keyless entry remote is not a pressure wave (sound).

It might work if you convert the frequency into sound, transmit the sound to the receiving cell phone, and then convert that sound back to frequency... but that's obviously not what is being done.
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Old Mar 24, 2008 | 08:36 AM
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Originally Posted by fredmr39


Not saying it isn't possible in some way for some weird remotes, but definitely is not on our cars.

As mentioned....they operate in completely different ways. I don't know the frequency of the remotes, but the transmitting frequency of the cell phone is probably much higher, and likely would be preserved anyway due to likely varying components used. So the only sure way with any cell phone is to base the transmission on sound. Cell phones use microphones to receive the data for transmission. A microphone takes varying pressure waves in the air and converts them into varying electrical signals. The wave from the keyless entry remote is not a pressure wave (sound).

It might work if you convert the frequency into sound, transmit the sound to the receiving cell phone, and then convert that sound back to frequency... but that's obviously not what is being done.
Correct.

As for frequencies, the keyless system operates around 859.xx-9XX.xx MHz, while cell phones work at 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1900MHz (depending on carrier).

The microphone and speaker on cell phones are designed to work with human hearing which is roughly 20Hz - 20KHz, but they actually work in a much shorter range.

The keyless system transmits electromagnetic waves. Microphones and speakers operate with sound pressure waves. They are two completely different mediums.
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Old Mar 24, 2008 | 09:58 AM
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I think somebody was adding a personal touch to an urban legend that has been circulating via email for the last couple of years.

It doesn't work but I suppose saying that you have done it personally makes it more believable than saying you read it in an email or that a friend of your second cousin's father-in-law was able to do it.
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Old Mar 24, 2008 | 12:22 PM
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Agree with two above posts. Thanks for clarifying VIP1/elaborating. I think some keyless entry systems are lower than 800 MHz -- according to "HowStuffWorks", remote entry systems operate typically around 300 to 400 MHz (though that was typical in 2001).

After I posted I googled the topic, and there apparently is a lot of additional info on this myth and how it began/etc because as WhiteBird00 mentioned, it seems to be a popular chain letter that is believed to have started after the appearance of "OnStar".
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Old Mar 24, 2008 | 01:06 PM
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Originally Posted by fredmr39
Agree with two above posts. Thanks for clarifying VIP1/elaborating. I think some keyless entry systems are lower than 800 MHz -- according to "HowStuffWorks", remote entry systems operate typically around 300 to 400 MHz (though that was typical in 2001).
Transmission distance is related to frequency so that may explain why my wife's newer SUV responds to the remote at a greater distance than my car.
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Old Mar 24, 2008 | 01:57 PM
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Originally Posted by ZL1Killa
I tried searching for similar words for this and couldn't return anything...

SO.. when i first got my car i could unlock it from far away...

now if i'm not within 10ft it won't work...

is there a way to fix this?

Has the range gone down all the time or only in certain areas or places.
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Old Mar 24, 2008 | 02:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Brian2006
and as another side note, get on the phone with a person next to your car and have them set their phone on your door. Press the unlock button and have it work via cell phone from any distance. I've had this work 150 miles away one time when I locked my keys in my car and had the person with the other set unlock it via cell phone
holy crap! im trying that.
i guess its kinda like how onstar does it?
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