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No FOB Key Detected Nightmare

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SOLO

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Hello All, Last week, I bought a 2020 Ram 2500 Tradesman. It's a great-looking truck, and all seemed well. However, a few minor things needed to be fixed, like better Tires and an alignment, which is always to be expected when getting a used truck. Then the nightmare began. My Fob opened the doors and closed them, activating the Car alarm without a problem. I replaced the batteries with new ones. When I try to push the start button, it indicates no FOB detected. I reached out to the local dealership, and they stated it would cost $139 to reprogram the fob key, but when I went there, they then stated it would cost $289 to diagnose the issue first, programming would be $139, which is still separate. Does anyone know a better way to resolve this issue other than getting fleece from the dealerships?
 
Buy a new one and use AlfaOBD or JScan to program it yourself to help identify whether it's the truck or the key. Probably less than the $139 programming much less the diagnosis.
 
MegaRed said:
Buy a new one and use AlfaOBD or JScan to program it yourself to help identify whether it's the truck or the key. Probably less than the $139 programming much less the diagnosis.
Click to expand...

Unless something changed recently, AlfaOBD cannot currently program 19+ FOB. JScan does work.

SOLO said:
Hello All, Last week, I bought a 2020 Ram 2500 Tradesman. It's a great-looking truck, and all seemed well. However, a few minor things needed to be fixed, like better Tires and an alignment, which is always to be expected when getting a used truck. Then the nightmare began. My Fob opened the doors and closed them, activating the Car alarm without a problem. I replaced the batteries with new ones. When I try to push the start button, it indicates no FOB detected. I reached out to the local dealership, and they stated it would cost $139 to reprogram the fob key, but when I went there, they then stated it would cost $289 to diagnose the issue first, programming would be $139, which is still separate. Does anyone know a better way to resolve this issue other than getting fleece from the dealerships?
Click to expand...

After replacing the battery, did you push the start with the FOB to start?
 
Brutal_HO said:
Unless something changed recently, AlfaOBD cannot currently program 19+ FOB. JScan does work.
Click to expand...
I have not done it with AlfaOBD, but thought I read somewhere it does. Google robots seem to think so.

*Edit - I did not check to see with 19+ so you are probably right.
 
MegaRed said:
I have not done it with AlfaOBD, but thought I read somewhere it does. Google robots seem to think so.

*Edit - I did not check to see with 19+ so you are probably right.
Click to expand...

I've found the AI search engines to be comically inaccurate on a variety of technical subjects.

AlfaOBD isn't able to read the rolling PIN that's needed to program the FOBs.
 
SOLO said:
Hello All, Last week, I bought a 2020 Ram 2500 Tradesman. It's a great-looking truck, and all seemed well. However, a few minor things needed to be fixed, like better Tires and an alignment, which is always to be expected when getting a used truck. Then the nightmare began. My Fob opened the doors and closed them, activating the Car alarm without a problem. I replaced the batteries with new ones. When I try to push the start button, it indicates no FOB detected. I reached out to the local dealership, and they stated it would cost $139 to reprogram the fob key, but when I went there, they then stated it would cost $289 to diagnose the issue first, programming would be $139, which is still separate. Does anyone know a better way to resolve this issue other than getting fleece from the dealerships?
Click to expand...
Sounds more like you have an issue with one of the two interior antennas picking up the fob once it’s inside the cab (most likely the one under the center console).
Try placing the fob on the center of the rear seat and see if it will be detected and start.
Get JScan with the vlinker MC+ OBD interface so you can read the faults stored in the RF Hub, and that will narrow down the issue.
 
What's the best way to check those antennas, and where are they located? The past few weeks I've been having intermittent issues with the door locks not responding at the handle (both locking and unlocking), and a "key fob not detected" message when trying to start the truck or hitting the button after remote start. I have to use the fob when the door handle doesn't respond. When I pull the fob from my pocket, suddenly it's detected and the truck starts (Pixel phone is usually in the cupholder, on the console, or passenger seat by then, shouldn't be interfering). It happened once last year, and has happened several times the past few weeks. Very annoying. I was planning to replace the fobs batteries this weekend even though the truck will be two years in April, and has been in service for barely one year. It sat untouched at the dealer for close to a year before I came along.
 
I’d start with new fob batteries. Easiest, cheapest and necessary for everything to function properly. Funny though as I am still on the original batteries in both of my 2021 fobs…..but probably not for long since I said something lol.


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