2016 Tacoma Keyless Entry Problem

Yes everything is still working, great information.

Yes, the dealership did charge me to work on it but they did split the difference since they did not find the problem. So I only paid for an hour instead of two. Almost tempted to go back and tell them how it got fixed but they probably would not remember me.

 

I'm dragging up an old thread, sorry.

I noticed my range fell off dramatically recently. However, there are two things. I have a prinsu style roof rack (extruded aluminum cross braces), and the recent signal distance off the cliff was wrapping it with christmas lights.

Found all this while I was looking for where the antenna was. So it sounds like the antenna is "near enough" the sharkfin? If so that explains my signal loss with the lights at least - just a copper wire loop around the thing

Would the roof rack also shield the signal?

edit: both fobs are bupkiss for signal as of late, so I'm thinking the lights killed it. The driver door handle works, but only very close to it.

 

2016 truck? Have you ever replaced the batteries in the fobs? Old batteries... cold weather... I'd start with the easy stuff.

 

2020 just replaced the fob batteries today and it didn't do anything, I'm like 99% sure it's the lights - I was planning to take them down tonight (if the rain is gone) or tomorrow anyway so can update. I was mostly just looking to see where the receiver was for the unlock/lock from the fob and/or the door handles, and it sounds like it might be up near the shark fin - so makes sense.

 

Ah ok... I saw 2016 in your avatar and didn't read any further...

 

that's the bike I ride to work now that my commute is only 1.5 miles

 

Just got home and pulled down the Christmas lights (was going to anyway) and no change - I'm talking like 5 ft range where I know I used to get toward 75 ish probably. Can't even hit the remote start from inside the house now.

 

Good find!
I would think that the rack structure would diminish the range more than wiring for lights.

Curious to hear how it turns out when you take the lights off.

Also, when you mentioned the range at the handle....not sure what you mean by that, afaik the handle is by contact unless they changed it.

 

Did you ever sort this out? I am troubleshooting the same issue. No roof rack for me though.

 

Maybe. i was doing a lot of short commutes (1.5 miles) and the alternator can't keep the battery topped up with that. I added a solar tender and my battery has been topped up by that when the alternator isn't enough. It takes something like 20-30 minutes for the alternator to get the battery "back". So, living 1.5 miles from work, and in the winter where i don't take the truck out for a kayak or bike ride regularly etc, the battery wasn't keeping a good voltage.

This year i put the lights back up and didn't have any issues. And if I'm honest i forgot about the issues from last year entirely when i did them.