Keyless Entry System Malfunction (Passive)
Keyless Entry System Malfunction (Passive)
Diagnostic Instructions
* Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
* Review Strategy Based Diagnosis Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
* Diagnostic Procedure Instructions Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category.
Diagnostic Fault Information
Circuit/System Description
The keyless entry antennas are used as short range low frequency transmitters. As a vehicle with locked doors is approached with a keyless entry transmitter and the exterior door handle is pulled, the keyless entry antenna broadcasts a challenge to the transmitter in an approximate 1 meter range. If the response from the transmitter via radio frequency (RF) is valid, the locked door will be passively unlocked/unlatched and allow the door to be opened. The front doors will open with one pull of the front door handle. A low transmitter battery or radio frequency (RF) interference from aftermarket devices such as 2-way radios, power inverters, cellular phone chargers, computers, etc. may cause a system malfunction. High RF traffic areas, such as gas stations which use pay-at-the-pump RF transponders, may also cause interference that could lead to a malfunction.
Reference Information
Schematic Reference
Remote Function Schematics [1][2]Electrical Diagrams
Connector End View Reference
Component Connector End Views Connector End Views By Name
Description and Operation
Keyless Entry System Description and Operation (without ATH) Keyless Entry System (without ATH)Keyless Entry System Description and Operation (with ATH) Keyless Entry System (with ATH)
Electrical Information Reference
* Circuit Testing Circuit Testing
* Connector Repairs Connector Repairs
* Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
* Wiring Repairs Wiring Repairs
Scan Tool Reference
Control Module References Control Module References for scan tool information
Circuit/System Verification
1. Ignition ON.
2. Verify that DTC B3119, B3120, or B3121 is not set.
• If any of the DTCs are set
Refer to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List - Vehicle Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List - Vehicle.
• If none of the DTCs are set
3. Verify that the transmitter is a correct transmitter for the vehicle. This can be accomplished by comparing the part number printed on the transmitter to the appropriate part number in the parts catalog.
• If the transmitter is incorrect
Replace the transmitter.
• If the transmitter is correct
4. Verify the scan tool Exterior Driver Door Handle Switch, Exterior Passenger Door Handle Switch, and Trunk Lid Exterior Unlatch Switch parameters change between Active and Inactive while operating their respective release handle/touch pad.
• If any of the parameters does change
Refer to Power Door Latch System Malfunction Power Door Latch System Malfunction.
• If all of the parameters change
5. Lock the vehicle using the keyless entry transmitter.
6. Verify that each door and rear compartment unlocks and opens by approaching the vehicle with a valid transmitter and operating their respective release handle/touch pad.
• If both doors and the rear compartment do not unlock/unlatch and open
Refer to Passive Transmitter Malfunction.
• If only one door or the rear compartment does not unlock/unlatch and open
Refer to Antenna Circuit Malfunction.
• If both doors and the rear compartment unlocks/unlatches and opens
7. All OK.
Circuit/System Testing
Passive Transmitter Malfunction
1. Lock the vehicle using the keyless entry transmitter.
2. Verify that each door and rear compartment unlocks and opens by approaching the vehicle with a valid transmitter and operating their respective release handle/touch pad.
• If both doors and the rear compartment do not unlock/unlatch and open
1. Replace the transmitter battery.
2. Lock the vehicle using the keyless entry transmitter.
3. Verify that each door and rear compartment unlocks and opens by approaching the vehicle with a valid transmitter and operating their respective release handle/touch pad.
• If both doors and the rear compartment do not unlock/unlatch and open, replace the transmitter.
• If both doors and the rear compartment unlock/unlatch and open
4. All OK.
• If both doors and the rear compartment unlock/unlatch and open
3. The concern may be caused by temporary RF interference. Discuss the conditions in which the concern occurs with the customer. RF interference from aftermarket devices such as 2-way radios, power inverters, cellular phone chargers, computers, etc. may cause a system malfunction. High RF traffic areas, such as gas stations which use pay-at-the-pump RF transponders, may also cause interference that could lead to a malfunction.
Antenna Circuit Malfunction
Note: The A24 exterior door handle assembly has two harness connectors. Of these two harness connectors, make sure that only the T10 door handle keyless entry antenna harness connector is disconnected. Disconnecting both harness connectors will result in the inability to activate the antenna and cause an improper diagnosis.
1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the inoperative T10 keyless entry antenna, ignition ON.
2. Test for less than 1 V between the signal circuit terminal 1 and ground.
• If 1 V or greater
1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the K84 keyless entry control module, ignition ON.
2. Test for less than 1 V between the signal circuit and ground.
• If 1 V or greater, repair the short to voltage on the circuit.
• If less than 1 V, replace the K84 keyless entry control module.
• If less than 1 V
Note: When using the MIN MAX function, autorange on the DMM may not function properly. To ensure accurate test results, turn off autorange and manually set the DMM range to 000.0 V.
3. Ignition OFF, install a DMM between the signal circuit terminal 1 and ground. Set the DMM to capture DC voltage using the MIN MAX function. Turn off autorange and manually set the DMM range to 000.0 V.
4. Lock the vehicle doors using the keyless entry transmitter. Activate the antenna by operating the appropriate release handle/touch pad.
5. Verify the MAX voltage captured by the DMM is greater than 1 V.
• If 1 V or less
1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the K84 keyless entry control module.
2. Test for infinite resistance between the signal circuit and ground.
• If less than infinite resistance, repair the short to ground on the circuit.
• If infinite resistance
3. Test for less than 2 ohm in the signal circuit end to end.
• If 2 ohm or greater, repair the open/high resistance in the circuit.
• If less than 2 ohm, replace the K84 keyless entry control module.
• If greater than 1 V
6. Test for less than 1 V between the low reference circuit terminal 2 and ground.
• If 1 V or greater
1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the K84 keyless entry control module, ignition ON.
2. Test for less than 1 V between the low reference circuit and ground.
• If 1 V or greater, repair the short to voltage on the circuit.
• If less than 1 V, replace the K84 keyless entry control module.
• If less than 1 V
Note: When using the MIN MAX function, autorange on the DMM may not function properly. To ensure accurate test results, turn off autorange and manually set the DMM range to 000.0 V.
7. Install a DMM between the signal circuit terminal 1 and the low reference circuit terminal 2. Set the DMM to capture DC voltage using the MIN MAX function. Turn off autorange and manually set the DMM range to 000.0 V.
8. Lock the vehicle doors using the keyless entry transmitter. Activate the antenna by operating the appropriate release handle/touch pad.
9. Verify the MAX voltage captured by the DMM is greater than 1 V.
• If 1 V or less
1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the K84 keyless entry control module.
2. Test for infinite resistance between the low reference circuit and ground.
• If less than infinite resistance, repair the short to ground on the circuit.
• If infinite resistance
3. Test for less than 2 ohm in the low reference circuit end to end.
• If 2 ohm or greater, repair the open/high resistance in the circuit.
• If less than 2 ohm, replace the K84 keyless entry control module.
• If greater than 1V
10. Replace the appropriate T10 keyless entry antenna.
11. Lock the vehicle doors using the keyless entry transmitter. Activate the antenna by operating the appropriate release handle/touch pad.
12. Verify that the door/rear compartment unlocks and opens when the release handle/touch pad is operated.
• If the door/rear compartment does not unlock and open
Replace the K84 keyless entry control module.
• If the door/rear compartment unlocks and opens
13. All OK.
Repair Instructions
Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification Verification Tests after completing the repair.
* Front Side Door Outside Handle Bracket Replacement Front Side Door Outside Handle Bracket Replacement
* Ignition Lock Key Transmitter Antenna Replacement - Rear Bumper Fascia Ignition Lock Key Transmitter Antenna Replacement - Rear Bumper Fascia
* Control Module References Control Module References for keyless entry control module replacement, programming, and setup