Key FOB Issues After Installing MESO Customs Map/Dome LED Upgrades – Anyone Experienced This?

Hello everyone,

In September 2024, I installed MESO Customs map light and dome light LED upgrades in my vehicle. Since then, I've noticed that my key FOBs are not working as they did before.

Specifically, the FOBs only work when I'm either touching the truck or standing within an inch of it. Previously, the FOBs worked seamlessly across a parking lot, as you would normally expect.

To address potential causes, I've already replaced the FOB batteries twice with brand-new ones, so I’m confident it's not a battery issue.

When I took the vehicle to the Toyota dealership service department, they mentioned they have received reports of similar key FOB failures after installing aftermarket dome/map LED lights. According to them, the FOB antenna is located near the dome/map light area, and certain unshielded LEDs can cause interference.

I’ve reached out to MESO Customs for further assistance and am currently awaiting their response.

Has anyone else experienced a similar issue after upgrading their interior lights? If so, how did you resolve it? Any insights or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you in advance for your help!

 

Yep, seen issues before on the forum related to LED bulb installs and interference with other components.

No help on a fix, threads I remember folks just removed the bulbs.

If you search here, you can likely find some related posts and threads.

 

Only thing Ive noticed is that the proximity light up feature is gone. MESO will tell you to kick rocks and that their lights are working as intended, watch.

 

The Meso LEDs do not work as advertised retaining OEM functionality. Their support will tell you to F-off and spend your own money to send them back. Too bad Meso is now in the sketchy company category.

 

Dang. I just got courtesy lights from them

 

those seem to be fine. Youll have 2 extras though.

 

dont get the other stuff. Roger that

 

I have the dome and map lights, dome light works great. The map lights do have a delay when opening your doors, didn't bother me much and now I am use to it. I haven't experienced any issues with key fob range, unfortunately since its aftermarket I couldn't vouch that you wont have any issues.

 

i use vleds in my 14 4runner. not one interior led light has died since i installed them in 2015.

and i replaced every interior oem light. fob works just fine


edit : both license plates led's died around springtime (april) of this year though.

 

I haven’t had any fob issues, yet. Did it start as soon as you installed them or was it gradual?

 

Does the interference happen with The front map lights, or the rear dome light? Or does it happen if either are installed?

 

This seems to be exactly what I’m dealing with, installed the map and dome lights and now if I don’t have the key touching the handle it won’t unlock, I’ve also had issues of the vehicle saying key fob not detected while I’m driving around and the keys are in the cup holder. Not sure what the solution would be other then to just pull the lights and put the oem ones back.

 

My issue was resolved and the MESO map and dome lights were NOT the source of the issue.

I don't see my reply to this thread detailing the resolution here so in summary, my issue was with a fan that I had running off a Jackery in the bed of the truck. I frequently have wet gear in the SnugTop covered bed. I rigged up a fan to help dry my gear and circulate the air.

After a prolonged troubleshooting session, the key fob worked completely normally when the fan was NOT running. As soon as it was plugged in and running, it killed the range of both key FOBs with fresh batteries. Very strange. There was some strange interference introduced from the fan that nearly disable key FOB function.

I posted the resolution here when solved. Not sure why it was removed.

 

My issue was resolved and the MESO map and dome lights were NOT the source of the issue. MESO was very responsive and sent a postage paid label and stood behind their product. After troubleshooting and resolving I reinstalled the MESO lights and I'm currently running them with NO issues. They're great. MESO was great.

I don't see my reply to this thread detailing the resolution here so in summary, my issue was with a fan that I had running off a Jackery in the bed of the truck. I frequently have wet gear in the SnugTop covered bed. I rigged up a fan to help dry my gear and circulate the air.

After a prolonged troubleshooting session, the key fob worked completely normally when the fan was NOT running. As soon as it was plugged in and running, it killed the range of both key FOBs with fresh batteries. Very strange. There was some strange interference introduced from the fan that nearly disable key FOB function.

I posted the resolution here when solved. Not sure why it was removed.

 

That's strange, I have nothing running inside the truck at all and i notice the problem is more prominent in the morning. In the afternoon my fob seems to work fine. It's when I'm 10 minutes late for work and I'm trying to get all my shit in the truck that I'm pulling the handle and pressing the button and nothing is happening. I've even had to resort to using the app to unlock the truck.

 

I hate to even ask, but did you try replacing the FOB battery?

 

There are known issues and reports of certain brands/types of LEDs causing interference with the key fob receiver located near the rear overhead lights.

 

Ha yup. With a cheap no name battery then again with a Duracell. I was really hoping that was it.

 

I’d hate to bring it up to Toyota when I go in next because if it is the lights they will be quick to charge me so many hours labor because it isn’t their fault.

 

if you look in the manual you can find the locations of the key fob antenna's

 

I saw that in there but it doesn't help me determine the problem. Yes I have the antennas and they are working to some degree but as to why they don't work the other times I have no idea. I was hoping there was some kind of test I could do to test the antennas to make sure they are working properly.

 

taken from the manual .....

Conditions affecting operation

The smart key system uses weak
radio waves. In the following situations,
the communication between
the electronic key and the vehicle
may be affected, preventing the
smart key system, wireless remote
control and engine immobilizer system
from operating properly. (Ways
of coping: P.535)
●When the electronic key battery is
depleted
●Near a TV tower, electric power
plant, gas station, radio station,
large display, airport or other facility
that generates strong radio
waves or electrical noise
●When carrying a portable radio,
cellular phone, cordless phone or
other wireless communication
device
●When the electronic key is in contact
with, or is covered by the following
metallic objects
• Cards to which aluminum foil is
attached
• Cigarette boxes that have aluminum
foil inside
• Metallic wallets or bags
• Coins
• Hand warmers made of metal
• Media such as CDs and DVDs
●When other wireless keys (that
emit radio waves) are being used
nearby
●When carrying the electronic key
together with the following devices
that emit radio waves
• Another electronic key or a wireless
key that emits radio waves
• Personal computers or personal
digital assistants (PDAs)
• Digital audio players
• Portable game systems
● If window tint with a metallic content
or metallic objects are
attached to the rear window
●When the electronic key is placed
near a battery charger or electronic
devices
●When the vehicle is parked in a
pay parking spot where radio
waves are emitted.
■Note for the entry function
●Even when the electronic key is
within the effective range (detection
areas), the system may not
operate properly in the following
cases:
• The electronic key is too close to
the window or outside door handle,
near the ground, or in a high
place when the doors are locked
or unlocked.
• The electronic key is near the
ground or in a high place, or too
close to the center of the rear
bumper.
• The electronic key is on the instrument
panel, or floor, or in the door
pockets or glove box when the
engine is started or engine switch
modes are changed.
●Do not leave the electronic key on
top of the instrument panel or near
the door pockets when exiting the
vehicle. Depending on the radio
wave reception conditions, it may
be detected by the antenna outside
the cabin and the doors will
become lockable from the outside,
possibly trapping the electronic
key inside the vehicle.
●As long as the electronic key is
within the effective range, the
doors may be locked or unlocked
by anyone. However, only the
doors detecting the electronic key
can be used to unlock the vehicle.
●Even if the electronic key is not
inside the vehicle, it may be possible
to start the engine if the electronic
key is near the window.
●The doors may unlock or lock if a
large amount of water splashes on
the door handle, such as in the
rain or in a car wash, when the
electronic key is within the effective
range. (The doors will automatically
be locked after
approximately 60 seconds if the
3-2. Opening, closing and locking the doors and tailgate 129
Owners Manual_USA_M0C051_en
3
Before driving
doors are not opened and closed.)
● If the wireless remote control is
used to lock the doors when the
electronic key is near the vehicle,
there is a possibility that the door
may not be unlocked by the entry
function. (Use the wireless remote
control to unlock the doors.)
●Touching the door lock sensor
while wearing gloves may delay or
prevent lock operation.
●When the lock operation is performed
using the lock sensor, recognition
signals will be shown up
to two consecutive times. After
this, no recognition signals will be
given.
● If the door handle becomes wet
while the electronic key is within
the effective range, the door may
lock and unlock repeatedly. In this
case, follow the following correction
procedures to wash the vehicle:
• Place the electronic key in a location
6 ft. (2 m) or more away from
the vehicle. (Take care to ensure
that the key is not stolen.)
• Set the electronic key to batterysaving
mode to disable the smart
key system. (P.127)
● If the electronic key is inside the
vehicle and a door handle
becomes wet during a car wash, a
message may be shown on the
multi-information display and a
buzzer will sound outside the vehicle.
To turn off the alarm, lock all
the doors.
●The lock sensor may not work
properly if it comes into contact
with ice, snow, mud, etc. Clean
the lock sensor and attempt to
operate it again.
●A sudden approach to the effective
range or door handle may prevent
the doors from being
unlocked. In this case, return the
door handle to the original position
and check that the doors unlock
before pulling the door handle
again.
● If there is another electronic key in
the detection area, it may take
slightly longer to unlock the doors
after the door handle is gripped.

 

if you look in the manual, radio or electrical interference (ie: the fan maybe????)

the question is, was the fan closer to the bed antenna that may have caused interference???

could you move the fan to the opposite side and keep using it but it not affect the key fob?

 

Well if i had known living under a radio tower would cause this many issues...


It seems like any number of things could be causing it but strange as it is, this did start after I installed the meso lights. The only thing I did at the same time was the roam license plate lights but I doubt that is affecting it especially because I have no issues opening the tailgate with the fob in my pocket. I can rule out my headliner because I was driving with that for awhile with no issues, same with the tint. And I have nothing else installed on the truck. Maybe I'll swap the lights and see if it goes away and if it does then my issue is for sure the meso lights.

 

yeah radio, electrical stray emissions can get wonky on aftermarket parts. not like they test for those in depth. heck my wifes phone barely gets any decent cell reception at times. depends on the location in the building (metal storage racks) or if she works in the gun vault