Mod: Extending range of keyless entry

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So to make this extension I need a male and female stereo connector that is identical to the pictures in thread?

I'm wondering if op @Ayune can provide wiring howto/diagram. I haven't opened the car and had a look yet but my remote reception is lowsy as , can barely open the car from outside the vehicle. Wondering if we could get a quick diagram/run down on making the cable.

Unless it's purchasable online somewhere ?

Awesome fix though. Will be making something up
 
so i tried this mod, got phenomenal reception before putting the bottom dash piece back on (below steering wheel). mounted antenna in same location as everyone else. after buttoning everything back together, the range was back to being terrible.

thought the antenna location was an issue and held the antenna in my hand on top of the dash while having my wife try the remote from a distance. still no good.

any suggestions on what i'm doing wrong?
 
On Point said:
so i tried this mod, got phenomenal reception before putting the bottom dash piece back on (below steering wheel). mounted antenna in same location as everyone else. after buttoning everything back together, the range was back to being terrible.

thought the antenna location was an issue and held the antenna in my hand on top of the dash while having my wife try the remote from a distance. still no good.

any suggestions on what i'm doing wrong?
Click to expand...
Maybe the wire connection inside the remote box was somehow disturbed or broken while buttoning everything back up? If the antenna is upright and worked well at one point, then something must have become disconnected.
 
Ayune said:
Maybe the wire connection inside the remote box was somehow disturbed or broken while buttoning everything back up? If the antenna is upright and worked well at one point, then something must have become disconnected.
Click to expand...

i tried it again last night after the car sat all day and i'm getting about 25' range on average now. We'll see how it goes over time!

thanks for posting this and all of the links for material! cheers!
 
On Point said:
i tried it again last night after the car sat all day and i'm getting about 25' range on average now. We'll see how it goes over time!

thanks for posting this and all of the links for material! cheers!
Click to expand...
Good news. You could also replace the keyfob battery as that can also improve range.
 
Awkward Tree said:
Is there a write up on how to get the receiver box out? I took off the dash to get a better look and the A/C pipe is in the way.
Click to expand...
That is indeed the most difficult part. I put a 10mm socket on a looooong extension, stuck it straight forward through the wiring harness mess and blindly aligned it with the screw with my other hand reaching up from underneath.
 
Ayune said:
That is indeed the most difficult part. I put a 10mm socket on a looooong extension, stuck it straight forward through the wiring harness mess and blindly aligned it with the screw with my other hand reaching up from underneath.
Click to expand...

Oh god, that was my first thought. And I know my first thoughts are usually bad ideas. This should be fun.
 
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Just ordered my set and can't wait to get it installed! I just removed the little brown box and man that was a royal PIA, mainly because mine was at a slight downward angle so I couldn't get a good lock with my screwdriver. What I ended up having to do was break the screw loose from behind with my needle nose locking pliers (freakin love that tool!) And then I was able to remove it with the screwdriver.
 
I just did this mod and it's great! It was so bad, that I couldn't use the remote standing right next to the truck sometimes. Now I can lock it from the back of my house, with my LX parked in the street!

Like others, I couldn't access the bolt holding the module in place, so I removed the hvac duct to get a straight shot at the bolt, which I promptly dropped and lost. After spending 25 mins in the 90⁰ heat, I found it chilling on the support for the metal knee crash pad thing.

Taking apart the car took more time then the actual soldering and antenna modification. I think this has been the most rewarding work I've don't on my truck since buying it!

IMG_20200824_142341-01.jpeg

IMG_20200824_145753-01.jpeg
 
Jczajka said:
I just did this mod and it's great! It was so bad, that I couldn't use the remote standing right next to the truck sometimes. Now I can lock it from the back of my house, with my LX parked in the street!

Like others, I couldn't access the bolt holding the module in place, so I removed the hvac duct to get a straight shot at the bolt, which I promptly dropped and lost. After spending 25 mins in the 90⁰ heat, I found it chilling on the support for the metal knee crash pad thing.

Taking apart the car took more time then the actual soldering and antenna modification. I think this has been the most rewarding work I've don't on my truck since buying it!

View attachment 2414845
View attachment 2414846
Click to expand...

So after a couple of days my key fob buttons are no longer locking/unlocking my doors.

I think maybe the battery is worn in my key fob, (though it measured 3.1v the other day when I tested it), since my wife's key seems to work better.

I think my door lock actuator motors are just toast after 20 years. The key fob seems to work better in the morning or at night, when the car hasn't been sitting in the sun in 90⁰ heat all day.

If I manually lock all the doors by flipping the switches in the doors and using the key in the door lock I can get the confirmation lock beep from the car by pushing the key fob lock button, but not all the time.

Guess it's time to order some lock motors and test my hypothesis.
 
For anyone who wants to do this mod I have the coax and antenna all ready to go. I purchased everything to do this mod but figured I would replace the battery in my key fob before starting. Now I’m getting ~250’ range again so I no longer need it. The end is already stripped and the ground wires are soldered. It’s the coax and antenna linked in the first post. $10 and it’s yours.

A7D3B476-738B-4FF7-967F-3FD22E69C957.jpeg


SOLD
 
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Jczajka said:
So after a couple of days my key fob buttons are no longer locking/unlocking my doors.

I think maybe the battery is worn in my key fob, (though it measured 3.1v the other day when I tested it), since my wife's key seems to work better.

I think my door lock actuator motors are just toast after 20 years. The key fob seems to work better in the morning or at night, when the car hasn't been sitting in the sun in 90⁰ heat all day.

If I manually lock all the doors by flipping the switches in the doors and using the key in the door lock I can get the confirmation lock beep from the car by pushing the key fob lock button, but not all the time.

Guess it's time to order some lock motors and test my hypothesis.
Click to expand...

Battery replaced in remote and working better. Just ordered new door lock actuator motors, because a few doors stop working when it's hot outside, cause car not to fully lock with the remote.
 
I like how the alarm doesn't beep if one of the doors doesn't lock when you arm it. That's how I know when it's time to replace a door lock actuator.
 
Wow I'm glad I found this thread. Mine is so bad it only works if the key is basically pressed up against the glass on the driver side. I will be doing this one
 
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