Tundra Key Fob

Is there an antenna for the key fob? My fob only works when really close to the truck. I’ve tried a new remote, new batteries, and an aftermarket remote with zero luck. Any thoughts/ ideas?

 

Hold it up against your jaw.

 

Check if your truck antenna is screwed down and radio properly grounded?

A lot of vehicles historically used the radio/car antenna, but ... I think someone may've mentioned otherwise on here w/1st Gens. Still, knowing what I've seen, I'd check it.

 

The antenna is usually part of the circuit board that lies in the fob itself. You might have a failing transmitter. It’s probably easier to just replace the whole thing.

 

Disregard, read this: https://www.tundras.com/threads/key-fob-replacement-2002-tundra.55779/page-6#post-2358574

@Jack McCarthy is probably right.

Although OP did say they tried another remote?

 

If you’re asking about the receiving antenna, I couldn’t tell you. That could also be a point of failure too.

 

This is for RS3200 extension on the Taco: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/oem-keyless-entry-extended-range-mod.472886/

Or here, this is maybe easier: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-increase-oem-keyless-entry-range.406672/

I don't know when 1st Gen upgraded from RS3000 to RS3200, though. The thread I linked about the fob having issues is an earlier RS3000 fob.

 

I don’t have any fillings or plates in my head. Just hard-headed, which is probably bad for reception.

 

It works. Human antenna.

 

In honesty, I was given two remotes with the truck and those are the two that I’ve tried. I’ll see if I can find another one to try.
Thanks @shifty` ill check those links and see what I can find. When I searched I couldn’t come up with anything helpful.

 

I also don’t have a foil helmet. Haha.
but now that you mention it I do remember that being a thing. But I’d like it to work from farther away without looking like a weirdo holding it to my jaw while leaving the office.

 

Haha, but - were you talking about receiving better like shify was talking about? Or transmitting farther with the foil helmet? I never heard of an extended receiver antenna until now.

 

I think I want the truck to receive from farther and I want to be able to transmit from farther away. Maybe I should wrap the key fob in foil. I need to read shifty’s posts thoroughly but I just got my wife hooked on “terminal list” so I’m watching that. Haha

 

That's just how the systems are from the factory. My 96 Camry has the same system and remotes and you have to be real close for it to work. 01 tundra same deal. Just figured it was old tech.

 

New Feature for 2003 Models....

 

@alb1k is right. You don't need to feel like you'll look weird. Just point the fob up to the sky, and push it into the soft spot under your jaw, and push the button. Almost like you're using the fob to unlock your brain.

Thanks to @BubbaW for clarifying, you have the RS3200 system I guess.

In chasing through EWD, I still can't seem to decipher where the antenna wire off the RS3200 system goes. I really hate reading the EWD Toyota puts out, I don't find them remotely sensible. But I cracked my mint spare RS3200 fob to see if it had the same design flaw as the RS3000 fob shown in my links, and doesn't seem it does. Just need to track down what the RS32000 uses for antenna. I still suspect it's using the radio antenna, and would investigate that first. But it may also route through the stereo harness, so if your antenna isn't connected at the back of the radio, that could maybe cause it too. Are you getting FM reception on your radio?

@Kimosabe I take it you have the same rectangular fob as I'm showing here, not the more-ovular fob used with the RS3000, right?

 

The "hold it to your chin" trick has never worked on my Tundra. I replaced the battery and that didn't help either. It just doesn't have great range.

Our RAV4 on the other hand seems to unlock from a half mile radius.

 

The RS3200 receiver antenna is similar to the RS3000 Tacoma example @Shifty linked to.
According to the 2003 EWD, the antenna wire is pin 12(grey wire) of the T12 connector and similar to the Tacoma thread example goes somewhere. The module itself is right of the instrument cluster. Perhaps like the Tacoma, the antenna wire runs over to the A pillar ??




Perhaps “cut off” in below pic means it’s cut to certain length ??

 

@shifty` yes I do have that same remote setup.
I'll check out my stereo harness to see if everything looks okay. I did replace my long antenna with a stubby, but reception is still great, if not better.

 

Do you still have the old antenna? If so, try swapping it back on for a minute and testing.

You may notice on the old antenna, there's a wire that circles up the mast. I've always suspected that is the keyless entry wire, maybe where it's "cut off" per EWD. (thanks for that, @BubbaW , that was my confusion w/EWD, never seen that before)

You're not the first person I've heard complain about losing fob distance after swapping antennas.

 

That's interesting. I tossed the old antenna, but will see if I can come up with another way to test it out.

 

Maybe get some spare wire (10-20ft) with one end stripped, pop off the stubby off, wrap the stripped end of the wire around the threads of the stubby, reinstall, and wrap the wire around something high up and see if your reception improves?

 

Radio antenna has nothing to do with your TVIP RS3200 receiver

 

I've heard this claim before, but weirdly, I just went downstairs, used my key fob with factory antenna to measure how far away I could hit it, then removed the antenna completely, I lose about 40% of my range. Reinstall antenna, and suddenly it's working from the same distance again.

I think there may be more to it. Or maybe there's something else going on, like I'm losing my mind .

Speaking of which, TPMS is telling me I got a low tire. Guess I should go back and take care of that. I'll test it again, just for S&G.

 

Just did the same from approx 50 ft away with obstacle in the way(door closed) and it still worked. This is on an 04 DC LTD and is not using RS3000 nor 3200, it is part of the Body ECU.

from 04 New Features....

Pretty sure I'm older and claimed that title first

The links from Tacoma forum you posted, along with a number of other google threads found, speak of same wire of RS3000/3200 modules, extending that wire to "A" pillar. Of course all of those threads might be FOS

 

@Kimosabe , what is your defintion of "really close to the truck"....less than 5', 10', 20' ?

What kind of "new' and "after market" remotes did you get ?

Also,did you see the below post in the first link @shifty` posted and is any of your remotes like that one ?

Key Fob Replacement 2002 Tundra

 

My remote is the same as the one @shifty` posted a pic of above. It's the rectangular one. I have only tried two oem remotes. I will look into a aftermarket replacement. Any suggestions??
My remote won't work any further than 5 feet away, and I'd say I have to be within 5 feet.

 

Best I can recall on my 2002... when you click the button on the round/oval remote it would flash parking lights once for lock and twice for unlock.

The reason I always assumed the range was short was because you have 30-60 seconds to open a door (if unlocking) before the truck would lock again automatically

 

I'm pretty sure the automatic locking is something you can program out.

 

Has it always been a short distance of 5' or did it work better back in the past ?

While it may not matter since both RS3000 and 3200 operate on 304 MHZ, do you feel you have the proper FCC ID remotes for an RS3200.

What FCC ID is on the back of your 2 OEM remotes ?