Crappy Transmitter Life

Rolling · February 23, 2009

I have poured over every bulletin GM has put out regarding the keyless entry fobs for my truck (07 GMT900 crewcab)

and have not found anything useful yet.

I am only averaging about four to six months lifespan out of my fobs. I have changed batteries, multiple different battery mfgs, reprogrammed the truck and reprogrammed the fobs. Numerous times.

It seems to happen quickly too, one day it will work well over 50 feet away, the next it seems like its maybe 20ish, the next day I cant open the drivers door standing next to it.

I warrantied out both of my transmitters for this problem about six months ago, and the one I use the most just went TU. So I stole my other one back from her!

Is anyone else having very short lifespan with their remotes? I have the 1 way autostart 4 button transmitters.

When they work well, in an open parking lot I have started my truck direct line of sight from over 70 paces, so I know when they work, they work well.

PhilB · February 23, 2009

My remotes are still on their original batteries, going on almost 2 years now. Same 4 button remote with the remote start. And I use mine all the time. Maybe something is pressing on your remote buttons when you're not driving, like do you put your keys/remote in your pants pocket? I have noticed before that external influences affect the range, such as radio towers.

Z45 · February 23, 2009

I never had to change batteries on my 2004 GMC in 4 yrs, on my 2005 CTS in 4 yrs and in my current GMC going on 20 months on oem batteries with the GM remote start.

jrrod2004 · February 23, 2009

I have poured over every bulletin GM has put out regarding the keyless entry fobs for my truck (07 GMT900 crewcab)
and have not found anything useful yet.

I am only averaging about four to six months lifespan out of my fobs. I have changed batteries, multiple different battery mfgs, reprogrammed the truck and reprogrammed the fobs. Numerous times.

It seems to happen quickly too, one day it will work well over 50 feet away, the next it seems like its maybe 20ish, the next day I cant open the drivers door standing next to it.

I warrantied out both of my transmitters for this problem about six months ago, and the one I use the most just went TU. So I stole my other one back from her!

Is anyone else having very short lifespan with their remotes? I have the 1 way autostart 4 button transmitters.

When they work well, in an open parking lot I have started my truck direct line of sight from over 70 paces, so I know when they work, they work well.

replace the fobs?

66nova · February 23, 2009

Nope, still on original batteries here. 2007 GMT900 Crew

builderpaul · February 23, 2009

Nope, still on original batteries here. 2007 GMT900 Crew

I added a new set of keys to my fob and the battery died the next day. Replaced battery's and fob worked fine till it suddenly died about 3 months later. Then I noticed the new keys where on a ring that allowed them to swing around the front of the fob. In my pocket they would hold the button in when I sat in certain positions. This killed the battery's. Change the key ring and have no problems since.

Rolling · February 24, 2009

replace the fobs?

Yes, im on my 3rd primary fob

I added a new set of keys to my fob and the battery died the next day. Replaced battery's and fob worked fine till it suddenly died about 3 months later. Then I noticed the new keys where on a ring that allowed them to swing around the front of the fob. In my pocket they would hold the button in when I sat in certain positions. This killed the battery's. Change the key ring and have no problems since.

I will take a look at it, Ive only got my house key, truck key and fob on my keyring, but I will try anything once!!

alaska511 · February 24, 2009

Hey Jared. That sucks. I switched to that extended range remote (as you well know) and it just threw the "replace battery" message on the DIC recently. The wife has the original remote, and it is still working.

This is the first I have heard of this.

superjim · February 24, 2009

Still on original battery for the 2006.

Have not had any problem .... YET.

timmerk · February 25, 2009

Mine just died - about 11 months after purchase.

sno · February 25, 2009

Maybe a certain run of '07s?

Mine pisses me off to no end. POS won't work standing at the tailgate or sometimes, as you noted, right next to the door. Then sometimes, when the stars align and the Earth's core stops spinning for .001 fempto-seconds, the FOB will work from several hundred feet away (from 4th floor window to nearby parking lot). Problem seems worse when you really want remote starting- extreme cold, rain, etc. Works best on nice, clear sunny days that aren't too hot or too cold. Fricken POS.

I've replaced the battery a few times in the past year but have not had the FOBs replaced.

dansk · February 25, 2009

I had similar problem with the key fobs on my dodge Magnum. I took them apart and there were cracked connections between the battery negative contact and the circuit board. I soldered them and all was well again.