Increasing range of transponder key 99 LC

[i4c4lo]

Anyone know how to increase the range of the transponder key for a 99 LC?

It seems like I have to be right next to the truck for the doors to unlock - I have new batteries on the key - it works better when the batteries are new but after a few days it goes back to being next to the truck.

Even when I am standing at the rear tail gate I would have to press it multiple times or start to walk towards the driver side door for the truck to unlock.

Thanks for any input.

 

[patrickfinley]

Sounds like something is wrong, should work much further than that.

Little known fact, if you hold the transponder up to your chin and click it, it gives you extra distance. It uses your body as an antenna. Try it some time.

 

[mcgaskins]

Sounds like something is wrong, should work much further than that.

Little known fact, if you hold the transponder up to your chin and click it, it gives you extra distance. It uses your body as an antenna. Try it some time.

Sounds ridiculous, but it definitely works. I usually put the end of the key at my chin which extends the range of the remote by a good 20-30 feet. I can lock/unlock the car standing inside the house which is a minimum of 20' away through glass. I used to have an X5 which had a good range of 60-70' with the remote, but when I used the same chin method I could lock/unlock from about 300' away. Now if I get some kinda cancer in my lower jaw I'll know who to sue later

 

[Trunk Monkey]

You could go 3rd party. I had an Autopage remote start that had a small antenna you placed on the corner of the dash by the windshield. I could lock/unlock and start from across the parking lot.

 

[OregonLC]

Little known fact, if you hold the transponder up to your chin and click it, it gives you extra distance. It uses your body as an antenna. Try it some time.

Yep. Done this for years. Sprouted a third ear from the radiation, but I can unlock my truck from Jersey.

 

[rusty_tlc]

The transistor on the RF output is failing.

Mine is dead and I haven't taken time to source the parts to fix it.

It's probably not a DIY repair for most people.

 

[i4c4lo]

Dan,

Is this one the truck side or the key side? Thank you.

Amando

 

[rusty_tlc]

Dan,

Is this one the truck side or the key side? Thank you.

Amando

The truck side is just a receiver so it gets very little stress. The key side is a radio transmitter, the output is amplified by a transistor.

My key did the same thing as yours until it stopped working all together. Some night I'll reverse engineer the circuit, figure out exactly what I need to replace and source the parts. Not a high priority for me since the housing is broken, again, any way.

For now I use the valet key, because I can wait a few more seconds to get the door open.