Poor fob range

I haven't as yet checked but could this be relating to the BECM wakeup 'fix' were people remove/shorten the antenna? Or, could it simply be that the fob battery is a bit crap and needs replaced?

If the latter, is there any kind of reprogramming/timed-removal required?

If the antenna has been removed, the range will be very short. Range will also be shortened if there are a lot of other RF signals around as I have just found. In my normal parking spot at home it's close to WiFi, wireless door bell and boiler thermostat the latter two on 433Mhz, range was about 2 metres, I'm now parking some distance away and the range is about 6 or 7 metres.
A low FOB battery will bring up a message on the dash message centre.

You can uncouple the antenna but you cannot shorten it, it is in the rear side window glass. Batteries should be replaced within ten minutes of removal.

wammers said:

You can uncouple the antenna but you cannot shorten it, it is in the rear side window glass. Batteries should be replaced within ten minutes of removal.

Click to expand...

According to the owners manual, the batteries should be replaced within 1 minute

Datatek said:

According to the owners manual, the batteries should be replaced within 1 minute

Click to expand...

Yep true delete ten sub 1 and delete S. I knew there was a 1 involved somewhere. But mine does not seem to mind.

Quite occasionally I have to walk to the rear of the car for the fob to operate. At other times, I don't need to be at the rear but certainly within 1 metre before it will operate. Doesn't seem normal?

edit: Should also add location has no effect on this. Can be in a car park, outside the house.. on top of a mountain in the middle of nowhere!

domino said:

Quite occasionally I have to walk to the rear of the car for the fob to operate. At other times, I don't need to be at the rear but certainly within 1 metre before it will operate. Doesn't seem normal?

edit: Should also add location has no effect on this. Can be in a car park, outside the house.. on top of a mountain in the middle of nowhere!

Click to expand...

Mine operates from a reasonable distance most of the time. Take a look and see if the aerial has been disconnected. Maybe a previous owner had RF problems.

wammers said:

Mine operates from a reasonable distance most of the time. Take a look and see if the aerial has been disconnected. Maybe a previous owner had RF problems.

Click to expand...

As above and at the same time check which version receiver is fitted.

Thanks guys - I shall have a look-see!

Will have to dig out rave to locate it and the correct wires, too.

Look under RH parcel shelf for receiver, antenna cable is blue

All seems good! Couldn't get the parcel shelf cover off completely - the clips closest to the window wouldn't budge!

Also noticed the blue box, I presume that's the radio antenna amp? Why so many cables plugged in to it?

domino said:

All seems good! Couldn't get the parcel shelf cover off completely - the clips closest to the window wouldn't budge!

Also noticed the blue box, I presume that's the radio antenna amp? Why so many cables plugged in to it?

Click to expand...

Yep, blue box is for the radio. You need to get at the RF receiver and see which version it is.

the parcel shelf is held on by three spring clips at the window side these slot onto the bottom of window under the rubber , also 3 plastic studs on inner edge of shelf ,,so remove the 3 blank studs with small penknife , then grab hold to either side of shelf ie one hand at the left where the release button is and one hand at right "almost at the boot end and lift up evenly with pressure towards window .. it will then spring up out of the clips .... r.f. receiver is at furthest end of boot behind rear seat ,, nr the button release it is about the size of a packet of fags and is black plastic will have a blue round sticker on it and has one single BLUE wire on its own to a terminal and a purple wire and a grey wire to another terminal ***** note IF it has a GREEN round sticker on it then great it has been uprated in the past and you've just saved yerself a couple of hundred quid at least ,,,theres plenty of past threads and photos also HOW TOO to help you on your way ....hope this all helps ,kind regards MOZZ

Hold it against your head when pressing the button and you'll extend the range

Columbus90 said:

Hold it against your head when pressing the button and you'll extend the range

Click to expand...

strange but true, it works try it

Columbus90 said:

Hold it against your head when pressing the button and you'll extend the range

Click to expand...

And cook your brain with RF
Just holding the FOB up high helps.

Columbus90 said:

Hold it against your head when pressing the button and you'll extend the range

Click to expand...

Doesn't work on the RR - works on my other cars though - already tried it