Hey,
It seems as if the effective range of my key has decreased over the years. Now I sometimes have to be standing 5 feet from the car for it to work. I checked the battery and its fine. Any ideas on what it can be?

-Robert

 

How do you know the battery is fine? Did you measure it with a voltmeter? This is often misleading - what you get is the open-circuit voltage, which may appear to be fine. Usually when a battery is in its final days, the impedance of the battery goes up, and its voltage needs to be measured under a load to truly get an idea of what the battery is doing. Unless you've done this, you cannot really tell if the battery is OK. Suggestion: If you haven't already replaced the battery, do that now, then see what you get for range.

 

I just changed the battery in the key and its still the same symptom. Like before, I can sometimes get it up to 30ft away, but most of the time I'd have to be 5ft from it.

-Robert

 

bump, still havnt found solution.

-Robert

 

I ordered a new key from the group buy we had a few months back. So I have brand new key with brand new battery and I still have to be within 10 feet for the remote to work.

 

yeah 30ft seems like a long way...im almost positive it has to be within 10 feet...these we just door clickers not remote technology...and they were 80's technology..so they were probably some of the first of their kind..expecially the early model SC's and LS's...my 2 cents..

CEO

 

Kids I’m going to teach you a trick.
To extend the range of your key all you have to do is put the key (or any other car remote) to/under your chin and press the button (it must be in contact with your chin). Works like a charm I know it sounds crazy but try it.

Using this technique I can lock/unlock my car from the window of my 7th floor apartment and car being parked 2-3 houses away from my building. Given that I have at least partial view of my car.

 

any takers?....im curious

CEO

 

I used to do this when I had an aftermarket alarm for my Integra and it seems to work. Whether true or not, the theory is that it uses the metal fillings in your teeth as a transmitter. This trick does not really help with my GS. I tried it before too. I also no longer have metal fillings. Coincidence?

 

My guess would be that the antenna associated with the key remote (in the car) is disconnected or otherwise damaged. If you're close probably the electronics can still pick up the transmission from the key with what parts of the antenna that are still coupled to the electronics, but as you get further away, the signal strength isn't enough.

 

Guys, I'm working with Luxury Motor Works to see if there is really a solution to this Lexus problem. It seems to vary from one model to another. I think we all can agree that anything past 15 feet seems to become a problem. I will keep everyone posted.

 

Awsome, let us know!!

 

If I remember correctly, I think the Lexus owner's manual says the remote is supposed to be used 1 meter from the car. Also keep in mind that you'll get drastically different ranges depending on what time of day it is, because of the varying amount of interfering RF transmissions in the air (usually higher during the day, lower at night). I have to be within 10 feet during the day, yet sometimes at night I can be at 100 feet away.