Keyless Entry - Intermittently Inoperative/Poor Range: Overview
File In Section: 08 Body and AccessoriesBulletin No.: 01-08-52-006
Date: October, 2001
TECHNICAL
Subject:
Reduced Operating Range of Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System With Blower Motor Running At High Speed (Diagnose and Install External RKE Receiver, If Necessary)
Models:
2001 Oldsmobile Alero
2001 Pontiac Grand Am
Condition
Some customers may comment that the Remote keyless Entry (RKE) System will not work at times or has an extremely poor range.
Cause
This condition may be encountered on vehicles produced prior to November of 2000, with the non-remote mounted RKE module system. This will become a concern for those customers who start the vehicle to allow it to cool or warm and let it sit in the driveway with the doors locked. They then try to enter the vehicle using the key fob and find they are unable to unlock the doors. The limited range is the result of electromagnetic interference (EMI) from the blower motor. The faster the blower is running, the more limited the working range of the RKE system key fob becomes.
Diagnosis
An aid to the diagnosis of this concern would be the following:
^ The customer's key fob is easily separated from the vehicle's key.
^ The vehicle has a remote starter system installed.
1. Connect the Tech 2 to the vehicle ALDL connector.
2. Power up the Tech 2 and enter the main menu.
3. From the main menu, select Diagnostics.
4. Select 2001 for the model year.
5. With passenger car highlighted, press enter.
6. Select F1, Body.
7. Select the car line, N, and press enter.
8. Select the marketing division for the vehicle being serviced.
9. Select F0, Body Control Module.
10. Select F4, ID Information.
11. Select F0, Module Information.
12. Select F1, Option Configuration.
13. Record, for future reference, the status of all options displayed. This information will be needed later.
Important:
If the Tech 2 displays the RFA location as EXTERNAL, the vehicle is already configured to the external module and you should exit this procedure as the vehicle does not need upgrading. Refer to the published Service Information for diagnosis of the customer concern.
Correction
The correction will be to install an external RKE receiver and associated wiring as required in the vehicle. The different repair procedures are listed here.
^ Oldsmobile Alero 4-door vehicles without Monsoon audio system, use repair procedure # 1
^ Oldsmobile Alero 4-door vehicles with Monsoon audio system, use repair procedure # 2
^ Oldsmobile Alero 2-door vehicles without Monsoon audio system, use repair procedure # 3
^ Oldsmobile Alero 2-door vehicles with Monsoon audio system, use repair procedure # 4
^ Pontiac Grand Am 4-door vehicles, use repair procedure # 2
^ Pontiac Grand Am 2-door vehicles, use repair procedure # 4
Parts Information
Parts are currently available from GMSPO.
Warranty Information
For vehicles repaired under warranty, use the table as shown.
DISCLAIMER