What Causes Short Remote Control Distance for Car Key Fobs?
2 Answers
Reasons for short remote control distance in car key fobs: 1. Poor transmitter signal, low battery in the key fob, or faulty car receiving antenna; 2. Obstacles around the car, such as trees or walls; 3. Interference from other signals, such as mobile phone signals, signals from other car keys being used simultaneously, or nearby WiFi signals. If you suddenly notice that your car's remote key has a much shorter range, don't worry too much—try testing it in a different location. How car remote controls work: First, the key fob emits a weak radio wave, which is received by the car's antenna. The electronic control unit (ECU) then identifies the signal code, and the system's actuator (motor or electromagnetic coil) performs the locking or unlocking action.
Last time camping, I noticed the car key remote control distance suddenly became shorter, not even reaching 10 meters. It's probably because the key battery is running low. Just buy a CR2032 button battery from the supermarket and replace it. Sometimes, if the key and phone are kept in the same pants pocket, the phone signal can interfere with the remote signal. Try moving the phone farther away before pressing the button. If you've recently applied metallic window film or modified the central console, it might also block the signal, especially those aluminum foil-based explosion-proof films which are the most obstructive. Occasionally, nearby high-voltage power lines or large electronic screens in operation can also cause the remote to malfunction. If the car key has been used for a long time, oxidation of the internal circuit contacts can weaken the signal, in which case you'll need to take it to a professional shop for disassembly and repair.
