Key Fob range issue

[RoRo]

I bought my 2012 Volt back in the beginning of March. I just dropped the car off this morning for a scheduled repair of the key fobs.

I used to get about 200 feet in range with the key fob. This was very useful as I'd hold down the unlock button to roll all the windows down on my way out to the car. In the last month or so, the range would go down to less than 5 feet from the car. Heck, I could walk-up to the car and push the silver door button on the handle and it would not unlock. I'd have to pull the keys out of my pocker and push the unlock button (oh, the humanity!) in order to get the doors to unlock. This is decidedly NOT keyless entry. LOL

When I brought the car in for all of the recall work I mentioned this issue and they could not duplicate. They recommended switching remotes, which I did. This solved the problem for all of one day, LOL.

I called the dealer back to let them know that both remotes have reduced range and my advisor ordered new fobs. He requested that I bring the car in with both key fobs and that they would replace them (they ordered new ones).

This morning the advisor asked me to duplicate the behavior. You know what this means, right? It will work perfectly. So I walked away from the car further and further and further and whaddaya know..it worked. LOL

I pointed out to my advisor that the car was currently parked in a covered concrete garage and I guessed that the concrete surroundings were helping the signal. I asked for him to make a note on work order to test the car in and open lot away from buildings. We'll see if they try to reproduce it or just give me new remotes after programming them.

Has anyone else had similar issues with their key fobs?

FYI, still loving the car!

[DonC]

Sorry, can't help since I usually only use the remote from five feet away. I think SilverCorvette had problems with his remotes just rolling down the windows from quite a distance. You may want to search for that thread.

[Steverino]

As far as I know concrete does nothing to enhance a radio signal. However, a metal box that completely encloses the car is an effective way to shield it from radio frequencies. Steel rebar that reinforces a concrete building acts as a metal box, often causing worse radio reception.

[Fulgerite]

It is very possible that you have a situation where radio interference is reducing the range of your key fob. I have a situation in my neighborhood where occasionally my garage door opener will not work until I am within 10 feet from the receiver. Other times it works at 200 feet. I borrowed a friends short wave radio and discovered that my opener remote transmits at 315 Mhz. I also discovered that sometimes A very LOUD digital signal blasts on that frequency. It usually stops after an hour or two. I have no idea what is transmitting on that frequency but I am guessing it's some sort of military radar system. Whenever it's broadcasting my garage door opener barely works.

You may have something in your neighborhood that is emitting a radio signal that is interfering with (jamming) the key fob frequency. It may be an intermittent transmission which explains why sometimes the key fob works fine and other times it does not.

[Fulgerite]

As far as I know concrete does nothing to enhance a radio signal. However, a metal box that completely encloses the car is an effective way to shield it from radio frequencies. Steel rebar that reinforces a concrete building acts as a metal box, often causing worse radio reception.

Unless it's an outside radio signal jamming his key fob... In which case the concrete building is shielding the interference.

[RoRo]

Unless it's an outside radio signal jamming his key fob... In which case the concrete building is shielding the interference.

These are all very fascinating responses, especially the building as a shield (probably very accurate) however, the issue occurs with both key fobs in multiple locations (home, work, out doing daily errands in multiple cities).

Hopefully I just had a set of bum key fobs.

I'll update you all when I pick-up the car this afternoon. Hopefully it is clean and fully charged.

[ace]

I have noticed similar behavior with the fob I am currently using. At times I have to get extremely close to the car, pocket up against the door/hatch, and even then the keyless entry may or may not work. Also noticing decreased range of the fob to about 5-10 feet. I have been to lazy to check the other fob, but was planning to do that next. Let me know what the find.

[jegund]

I'm thinking if it is not outside interference and both FOB's do not work then the likely culprit is the receiver end in the Volt. I'm not sure where the receiver antenna is but thought I read once it was on or near the front windshield.

[RoRo]

I'm thinking if it is not outside interference and both FOB's do not work then the likely culprit is the receiver end in the Volt. I'm not sure where the receiver antenna is but thought I read once it was on or near the front windshield.

That is what I suspect as well, but we shall see.

[Steverino]

I'm thinking if it is not outside interference and both FOB's do not work then the likely culprit is the receiver end in the Volt. I'm not sure where the receiver antenna is but thought I read once it was on or near the front windshield.

See the last comment by WOT http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread....y+fob+receiver