Poor lock/unlock range

[[]D[][]V[][]D]

I have a 2000 A4 and the range of the keys is SOOOO lame--Works from 10 feet max and i have to press the button mega hard. I thought it was the battery so i went to the dealer, they replaced both of them and nothing--still sucks, any ideas? Anybody else have this problem? on both my mom and dads audis, the range is HUGE, they also both have 2004s but i dont get why mines so lame

[alen]

that's also the case with mine. same exact thing, but on my dad's a6 the thing is crazy! up to 30-40 feet.

i thought it was the battery but i dunno.

[Ben@SpeedBarn]

my 98 a4 sucks even with new batteries. My 01 s4 is awesome though. Maybe the remotes wear out...i dunno. I guess the pressing harder part would be because of the age of the remote. I don't see that as being a reason for the distance but i guess it could be.

[SSiNeDD]

i was readin somewhere about this problem, that the antenna(receiver) is hidden in the back seats or somethin like that, theres a post out there somewhere on how to fix this problem, if i come by it again ill post the link,

[voodooA4]

there's a tech article on AW about this...and a service bulletin as well.

you can fix it yourself by re-routing the antenna somehow...

[Audipilot1]

I think their all like that. My 99 is horrible, and thats usually the running story. There is a mod that can be done to the 97's i think that moves the antennae, but i dont know if it works on the rest of them. Try this....

Linky

[chrisrunner]

anyone taken out their rear seats that can attest to how easy or hard it may be to do this on mine.....my remote blows



chris.

[dukez]

There is nothing to it, just grab the bottom of the seats and pull up. It's just that easy.

[Pureaudi]

anyone have any pics they can post. i really wanna do this too, but the description on how to do it is very breif. anyone who can give me some pics and elaborate on what to do would be greatly appreaciated! thanks allot!

-DEx

[AudiMan]

how tall are you? maybe that could be the problem

[Pureaudi]

good one....im 6 foot

[4ingDrive]

Put in an aftermarket system. Lots of range.

[pismojeff]

I heard that someone did this mod and it didn't improve the range much at all.

[e.van]

The person who owned my car before me did the mod. Sometimes I can't even unlock it from right next to the driver's door, and I still struggle to lock the car from more than 15 feet away, unless I'm uphill. If I'm above the car, I can get MAYBE 30 feet. The only way to really fix it is (like 4ingDrive said) to put an aftermarket alarm in. Don't try it yourself though.. lol it would take days, alone and unexperienced.

[98a4]

I took out my bottom back seat the other day to try this. I couldn't find any anentna, but the range, with no backseat was about 25ft.

[4ingDrive]

It's really not too hard to put in an aftermarket keyless. Technically it's 6 wires that you need to hook up. The alarm install is a little more complicated. If anyone needs some help with an install let me know.

[VtAudi]

I always knew about the mod to increase range, but have yet to find my antenna, is there a write up on installing an aftermarket keyless? whats needed? just reciever and remotes?

[4ingDrive]

Yep, all you need is a system. There's no additional parts needed for the installation other than a couple of tools.

[no1hustller]

Why do you need alot of range?

[e.van]

Originally posted by 4ingDrive
Yep, all you need is a system. There's no additional parts needed for the installation other than a couple of tools.

So is there a way that you can just tap into the existing alarm while using the aftermarket for range, etc. ? If so, what alarm would you recommend and how long is install (estimated)? Will be appreciated!

[[]D[][]V[][]D]

i don't need a lot of range except occasionally when im walking away from my car, trying to remember if i've locked it or not, trying to lock it and not being able to--then having to run back lock it and kick myself for being an idiot

[white fish]

This "antenna" mod can only be done on 96's

[4ingDrive]

Originally posted by e.van
So is there a way that you can just tap into the existing alarm while using the aftermarket for range, etc. ? If so, what alarm would you recommend and how long is install (estimated)? Will be appreciated!

The wires you tap into for lock and unlock will also arm and disarm the factory alarm. With a timing module you can also use an auxillary channel to close your windows and sunroof. If you add an actuator you can also pop your trunk. Or you can just add a relay to pop the hatch on an Avant. An average install for a keyless for me is about 1-1 1/2 hours. You do also need a couple of 6 amp diodes to isolate the parking light outputs.

[calbear]

just did the modification on my 97 a4 that was courtesy of a thread on audiworld.

do a search for removing c-pillar and you will see the picture. you just have to carefully remove the rear passenger c-pillar cover and move the clear wire (remote antenna) and re-tape is closer to the window.


less than 10 minutes of work and now my previous crappy remote range (3-5ft) is now 20-30 ft!

[werksmini]

what about for avants?

[1MoreSilverA4]

Hold your key up to your chin and use yourself as an antenna, you might look like a tool but it works

[AudiA4_20T]

Originally posted by calbear
just did the modification on my 97 a4 that was courtesy of a thread on audiworld.

do a search for removing c-pillar and you will see the picture. you just have to carefully remove the rear passenger c-pillar cover and move the clear wire (remote antenna) and re-tape is closer to the window.


less than 10 minutes of work and now my previous crappy remote range (3-5ft) is now 20-30 ft!

Wait so you found the antenna? Which side of the car is it on? And when you pull the C pillar do you have a pic of where the antenna is? If its up so high where did you thread it? To the window? Sorry for all the questions

[calbear]

it's on the passenger side. i'm working on a write up on audiworld

[calbear]

http://forums.audiworld.com/a4/msgs/2521269.phtml

[xabier567]

Hold the key fob up to your chin make sure it is touching your chin and then try it, this greatly increases the range of your key, it sounds silly but its true.

[boostedup]

is there anything to worry about with Airbags?, I definitely wanna do this since i hate the fact that i basically have to be on top of my car for the damn remote to work........ There aren't any airbag sensors up there are there?? I have the side curtain airbage on my 2001 and am worried that i could set them off.

[ExpLlclT]

10 ft here its lame as shit

[IKE20VA4]

you probably won't set off your airbags...if that's what you wanted to hear. i have messed with side airbags before and havn't had any problems.