Keyless Entry FOB Rarely Works

[mateen110]

Hi,

I got a model /a remote fob from ebay when I purchased my Nissan pathfinder with a 6/00 production date. The remote RARELY works, and I mean I have to sit there for at least 5-10 minutes before it will respond..and this is within inches of the car...

Now Im sure they logical explanation is that it is the remote, but is it?

I went to autozone where they have a keyless fob tester, I put mine up to it, and it flashed green (working ok) I also used a voltmeter to test the battery, and it checkout ok.

So I have ruled the remote out (I think?) Any ideas on what is the problem? Is it the receiver/transponder in the car? If so, where is that located? Could it still be the remote?
I have heard the receivers in the car usually go bad...is it best just to get an aftermarket fob?
ps I have reprogrammed


Thanks again

[Pwnin O'Brien]

I had the same issue with mine. I would press the unlock button a lot and it would take the forever to unlock the rear doors. I took it to Nissan only for them to tell me that nothing was wrong and the keyless entry on the Pathfinder is "slow". I later installed a keyless entry/remote start system which remedied the issue.

[Fafdawg]

I have the same problem with my 2001 Qx4, I hope someone here knows how to solve this issue. I don't even try to use it anymore, change the battery no luck.

[fueler]

try opening the remote and cleaning it. Also, you can bend out all the contacts so they touch better. including the tri-shaped contact under the battery. And Make sure the battery is clean. Not even a fingerprint!!

[mateen110]

Well if multiple people are having this issue, it must be the brain then, correct? I don't think it is the remote at this point.

[Chuck Tribolet]

I've gone through two or three fobs in 178,000 miles on my '01. I just get new ones off e-bay. They've all failed the way you describe - gotta do
a lot of pushing. I'm a EE by training, and tried all the tricks, new battery, contact cleaning, testing the switches, etc. My theory is that
the analog side of the fob gets a little out of tolerance and the radio frequency drifts a bit.

[fueler]

interesting. Mine also works intermittently, but if i squeeze it in it's "Sweet spot", it works fine. It took me a long time to find the sweet spot. It is almost impossible to use without knowing the spot. I think theeres a bad contact in mine.

[VG33QX4]

mine does the same thing, and i tested the device at the auto parts store and it was responding. I also was able to reprogram the fob after a frantic pushing sequence. where is the receiver?

[shelby500krz]

Same problem here. So I just got rid of it and forgot about it. It's been so long now that it has become a habit to lock my doors before I close the door and to use the key to open it.

[Chuck Tribolet]

The receiver is under the driver's seat.

I don't think the problem is the switches under the buttons. I tried jumpering around those, no joy, I think the analog
section drifts.

[ARKQX33V6]

I have cut open the FOB many times and made many repairs but too many and now it is shot...they are cheaply built...I have put aluminum foil in to act as a contact point until the male or female contacts wear further. Like anyone with a 14 year old well used FOB, they stop working from bad and cheap components that we get blamed for because we want it light weight.

At least they didn't make the vehicles as cheaply!!!

[VG33QX4]

ha, 2 ton elephant. it sucks finding the right fob that will work, guess i must get a new one or barely used model, the one i got had worn buttons, i should have known. chuck your saying that even though its outputting a signal its not the correct frequency? thanks.

[Chuck Tribolet]

Yep, that's my theory, the analog portion of the fob has drifted.

[Chuck Tribolet]

Well if multiple people are having this issue, it must be the brain then, correct? I don't think it is the remote at this point.

Replacing the fob fixes it, ergo it's the fob that's the problem.


Chuck