TJPlatinumEB

I know it may not work or be cost effective for everyone, but I got so tired of mine doing similar things and having a mind of its own and half the time not starting the truck that I just recently had a Viper system installed on my truck. I can start it from up to a mile away and get alerts if something happens or the alarm goes off.

I would have loved to keep the stock setup, but after a few dealer trips not being able to duplicate the problem and this happening multiple times and having my truck vandalized, I just bit the bullet so to speak and had the Viper installed. 10000x better than what Ford puts in these trucks.

Hope you get yours resolved and it is just something simple

soaringfalcon

iTrader: (1)

Back when I had my 2002 Dakota, I had so many issues with the factory system that I ended up getting one hell of an aftermarket system. I do not remember the brand now, but it would roll down the windows if it got too hot inside, roll them back up if anyone approached the vehicle or if it detected rain. and would start the truck from about 1/2 mile out. It was bit pricey though.

If they had that back then, I can only imagine what some of the alarms can do today!

Sweatmachine

Mind sharing what that Viper system set you back, and where you had it installed? I'm in Austin also. Thanks.

TJPlatinumEB

Roughly $600 installed including lifetime warranty on parts and labor. That includes the two way communication remote, remote start, having them configure it how you want, etc etc

I use Sunbusters exclusively for tint and alarm. They are right near 183 and Duval. They do all the "factory tint" for Cadillac and the other dealers in the area. They also do clearbra work, stereos, etc as well. Dave there used to be at Mothers for a number of years but switched over a while back. Great guy been working with him for over 10 years on various cars.

JuniorNYC

NSA seemed to be at it again today. didn't work this morning and then started working again this afternoon !!!!! Grrrrrrrrrrrrr

soaringfalcon

iTrader: (1)

In a Pinch it might work, but definitely not as good as tin foil.


I had a similar issue while vacationing in Virginia Beach a while back. Oceana NAS was having a training exercise and a lot of car remotes and garage door openers stopped working, apparently it's a common issue around military bases, when they fire up their 2.4Ghz radios.

Also, while I was working at a tech company, we had a lot of issues with wireless routers that will malfunction, the issues were limited to just one Regional office. Take the router to another office and it worked flawlessly, take a know good one into that office and it would stop working. Never did figure out what was causing it, we ended up moving the office when the lease was up. New location did not have that issue.


One easy troubleshooting step you can take is to ask those two questions:
1) When you encounter the issue, is it always in the same location?
2) When it works, is it always outside of that location?

If the answer is yes to both questions, it probably is an interference issue in that location. If you answer no to either, it's a PITA issue that might be hard to figure out.

TJPlatinumEB

I know this will sound weird, but have you tried the chin trick to see if makes any difference? Touch the key or remote to your chin and try it? I am not joking I promise! Sometimes it helps with the range and communication on some factory remotes.

My wife has a 13 Explorer and I can't get her remote start to work from inside the house unless I am touching it to my chin for a little longer range. Sometimes it won't work at all. I can be standing next to it and it won't work. Next time I try it, it works fine. I don't understand it.

JuniorNYC

HAHAHAHA, I laugh because i do this too. Might be even more helpful with a tin hat like soaringfalcon has been mentioning. Might just have to cave and order one on eBay.

soaringfalcon

iTrader: (1)

Dude, don't, everyone knows that the ones on eBay are fakes sourced by the NSA! Make your own, here are some instructions. (lol, I can't even type this with a straight face!)

RLXXI

Had a similar issue with my remotes not working intermittently, discovered it was the 2 channel dash cam causing RFI, unplug it remotes work fine, plug it in and it's hit or miss.

Before the cams when it would act up I removed the battery from the fob and reseat it and fixed it.