Extending the range of your keyless entry.

So this is my 1st instructable so CONSTRUCTIVE criticism is welcome. Anywho this site has got me looking at every day objects totally different now. I'm constantly asking myself how i can make ordinary objects better, or just make something cool. If your like me you have keyless entry on your vehicle and sometimes wish it could work farther away. Well this will help improve the range of your key fob a bit. Now before you go tearing apart your nice new factory key fob keep in mind this is easier to do on after market ones.

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Step 1: Identify antenna

Ok, once you have removed the case of your key fob you will need to find the antenna. it will probably be a smooth flat surface so to solder to it you may need to rough it up a bit. Sand paper works fine. something with a lower grit rating is suitable. just be careful not to destroy it. Some antenna's are in the PCB board so you may have to figure out which circuit is the antenna.

yahooti12 says: Jun 10, 2009. 10:10 AM

Actually, a long time ago Mythbusters tested out putting your keyless entry to underneath your chin to extend the range. It works because your voice box is a natural amplifier. I don't think it give you more than 20 extra feet. Anyways, that's what I do when I can't seem to find my car.

georion in reply to yahooti12Sep 16, 2011. 9:00 AM

check that Mythbusters---again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Not the voice Box !!!!!!!!!!

andrew_h says: Jun 24, 2010. 6:37 PM

Ages ago i learnt a cool trick for extending the range too. It sounds 100% stupid but it works a treat. Simply put the remote under your chin (up against it) as you press the button. Generally extends the range by 20-30% or helps when your battery is a bit flat.

scott00 says: Apr 26, 2007. 2:59 AM

The looped wire is really smart and works for sure.. but the other "body antenna" step is unnecessary and effects the aesthetics of it. BTW, might not want to do this to new car keys as they are REALLY expensive.

awkrin in reply to scott00Apr 19, 2008. 4:17 PM

really? well until now, I never knew what's inside one. the one from the pics above only has an microchip and 2 push-to-make switch so I guess the case is REALLY expensive...

quentinwolf in reply to awkrinDec 20, 2008. 1:14 PM

Actually what Scott00 probably was referring to is the new car keys where the Key and Remote are all in one casing. They typically can cost $100-$200 to replace since they have a specific code for the vehicle that has to be programmed. So if you mess it up, that's what the dealer will charge to get you a new one programmed. The remote above looks like a standard add-on keyless entry system which would be fairly cheap.

PyromaniacDaniel in reply to quentinwolfNov 7, 2009. 8:30 PM

I lost my original key fob to my Chrysler seabring. the key fob was $25. the service of linking it to the car was $75. however if you already own one and want to program a second there is a method found in the owners manual.

An instructable on how to DIY the linking service sure would be nice.

vantheman says: Sep 26, 2007. 6:27 PM

What works as well and doesn't need any modification: hold the keyless entry against your head (your temple is best). Press the button now and you will see you have just greatly increased the range. Your whole body is now the antenna. Try it, it works!

Nottslad89 in reply to vanthemanNov 22, 2008. 11:44 AM

I used to do the same thing years ago, but I pressed the fob to my chin - putting it to your temple looks like you're gonna shoot yourself LOL

Tool Using Animal says: Dec 10, 2006. 6:55 AM

Hmm clever, i've never thought about adding an antenna, it will be hit or miss though on proper length.

Ian01 in reply to Tool Using AnimalJan 30, 2007. 4:54 PM

The frequency is probably printed inside.

StrangeRanger says: Dec 11, 2006. 2:51 PM

Not sure if this will work for other brands, but I use to work for a VW/Audi dealer and by simply holding the key fob up to your chin when pushing the button your range would be extended by 2-3x. Try it sometime. j

Ian01 in reply to StrangeRangerJan 30, 2007. 4:52 PM

That probably worked because you were holding it higher.

Sidney Floyd says: Dec 12, 2006. 4:02 AM

i found that for some reason, the keyless worked at a slightly longer range when i held it to my temple and looked at the car dont ask why i was doing this at the time

Ian01 in reply to Sidney FloydJan 30, 2007. 4:52 PM

That probably worked because you were holding it higher.

keng says: Dec 10, 2006. 8:08 AM

well, nice idea but maybe clean up before doing the pics or do some photo cleanup afterwards.

AgentDanny (author) in reply to kengDec 11, 2006. 1:03 PM

im lazy. Plus Harold is a camera hog.

mrmath says: Dec 10, 2006. 7:59 AM

Constructive: I don't understand what the round wire was for? You had us sand the antenna, then fit in a piece of wire with one end stripped, then you had us solder on the flat wire. What was the first wire for? Non-Constructive: Could have done without the pubic hair!

AgentDanny (author) in reply to mrmathDec 10, 2006. 9:49 PM

Lol yea the pubes name is harold. anyway the flat wire is to use your body as an antenna by touching the flat piece

mrmath in reply to AgentDannyDec 11, 2006. 6:34 AM

Yea, but what's the normal wire in step two used for?

AgentDanny (author) in reply to mrmathDec 11, 2006. 7:46 AM

its an antenna also mate. So with the wire your making a solid "always on" antenna, and with the small copper piece your making a connection to your body to make it act like an antenna. Get it?

crapflinger in reply to AgentDannyDec 11, 2006. 10:36 AM

maybe you could have soldered the pube in as an antenna....pretty sure that the pube (especially the labeling of it) was QUITE unnecessary (note to self: DO NOT try ANY of AgentDanny's soup recipes) might want to relabel the steps to show that they are alternate methods (i.e. Method 1 - permanent antenna, Method 2 - Your body as an antenna)

AgentDanny (author) in reply to crapflingerDec 11, 2006. 11:43 AM

they are both on the transmitter.

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trebuchet03 says: Dec 10, 2006. 11:30 AM

The range on my last key fob was decent -- about 60 feet... But if I could figure out the right wire length, I would have done this :P My new (to me) car has one expensive key fob... Not even a key fob, it's a switchblade key... For a grand total of $275 because VW has to plug in an uber computer so the car will accept the new key.... I think I'll leave that one alone :P

AgentDanny (author) in reply to trebuchet03Dec 10, 2006. 10:12 PM

yea i wouldn't recommend trying this on a 03 - 07 honda. they are the same way.

teknubic in reply to trebuchet03Dec 10, 2006. 3:48 PM

It's not so hard to do and certainly won't cost so much.
http://www.passatworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=181120
Join the online VW community if you haven't already. They're good peeps. :)

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trebuchet03 in reply to teknubicDec 16, 2006. 1:25 AM

I'm on vortex ;) I don't have a master key -- so I'd need a VAG-COM or the dealer to program. Then, we're not 100% sure which immobilizer version my cluster is running. So eBay keys may or may not work (and I don't have the cash to test). I've been slowly saving my pennies :P

johnson_steve in reply to trebuchet03Dec 10, 2006. 2:33 PM

Ha, I have the same key I think it's quite a bit more complicated then the remote shown you never need to replace the battery and it even has an rfid tag in it; go ahead wrap it in tinfoil and start your car it will stall right away what vw do you have?

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trebuchet03 in reply to johnson_steveDec 16, 2006. 1:30 AM

The keyfob has the same concept (in a different package). It does have a battery for the key less portion :P Here's how to replace the battery from a switchblade keyfob. I never thought of the tinfoil thing :P Sounds like a Faraday cage and an awesome prank :P

2000 Jetta... 2.slow edition.... on original coil packs (take that 1.8t's :P)