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Current Events/News: Advantage Online: 2003 Archives

Advantage Online

NEW INNOVATIONS IN KEYLESS ENTRY

Figure 1–The electronic card is used to send a signal to the control module inside the vehicle to unlock the door when the door handle is lifted.
October 27, 2003 -This past year has seen the advent of a whole new generation of keyless entry systems. On several 2004 vehicles, keyless entry now means more than just pressing a button on a key fob. The latest generation of keyless entry systems uses a key fob or electronic card, which is carried by the driver, to auto-lock and auto-start the vehicle. Vehicle makers have different names for this feature. For example, this type of system is referred to as Smart Entry on the 2004 Toyota Prius, Passive Keyless Entry on the 2004 Cadillac XLR, and Keyless Go on the 2004 Mercedes Benz S-class.

To operate this type of system, a transmitter, which is either a card or key fob (see Figure 1), must be within a specified range of the receiver, usually less than a meter (3 feet). An electronic code is emitted by the transmitter and checked by the receiver to make sure it corresponds with the vehicle ID code. After the code has been verified, the unlock feature will be activated when the backside of the door handle is touched.

Figure 2-To lock the doors, a button on the door handle is pressed. A horn chirp and lamps flashing indicate that the vehicle is secure.

To lock doors that have this auto-lock feature, a lock button must be pressed on the outside of the front door handle (see Figure 2). All the doors will be locked provided that the code from the transmitter registers with the receiver. Once the button is pressed, typically the horn will chirp and exterior lamps may flash to indicate the vehicle is locked. On some systems, if the lock button is pushed and one of the doors is not closed securely, the horn will sound for a specific period of time. If the card or key fob is inadvertently left inside the vehicle, the doors will not lock unless the system senses another transmitter on the person who is locking the doors.

Auto-Start

Figure 3-The start button on this Mercedes S-class is located on the vehicles instrument panel.

The auto-starting feature is similar to the auto-unlock/lock system. However, the key fob must be present inside the passenger compartment for the module to activate the ignition sequence. Also, the brake pedal must be pressed and the transmission must be in PARK or NEUTRAL for the engine to turn over. The start button is located either on the gearshift handle or the instrument panel (see Figure 3).

If there are battery problems on the transmitter or there is signal interference between the transmitter and receiver, a message will appear on the instrument panel or message center that states “NO FOB DETECTED.” Aftermarket devices, such as two-way radios, power inverters, and computers, may interfere with the signal.

Keyless Entry Operation

The passive entry and starting system operate using four to six low frequency antennas. The antennas have a very limited range, typically around 1.5 m (5 ft). Antennas can be located in the B-pillar, trunk area, glove box area, center console, etc. Two sets of antennas are used to operate the keyless entry function. One set is used to determine the position of the key fob/card to unlock and lock the door and the other set is used to determine the position of the card/key fob to start the vehicle. These antennas are basically used to determine the proximity of the card/key fob in relation to the vehicle, a requirement if using the keyless ignition function (see Figure 4).

Figure 4-Some antennas are designed to receive a transmitter signal from various areas around or in the vehicle. These are zones of operation.
On some vehicles, if the transmitter is not being detected by the auto-start module, it may be helpful to move it around the passenger compartment to see if the signal can be picked up at a different point. If that doesn’t work, there is a slot in the glove compartment for the transmitter. By inserting the transmitter into the slot, a low frequency coupling occurs between the transmitter and antenna that allows the vehicle to be started.

Limited Repairs

Potential collision damage to this system may include damaged:

  • antennas and antenna modules
  • wiring
  • door handles
  • control modules
  • transmitters

While damaged wiring may be repaired following standard wire repair procedures, all other parts require replacement if it is determined that they are damaged.

Conclusion

The new keyless entry system allows vehicle entry and vehicle startup without the use of a mechanical key or pressing a button on a standard key fob. Using several antennas, the vehicle is able to determine the position of the electronic card or key fob in relation to the vehicle. This allows the vehicle owner to open a door without having to physically unlock it. It also allows the driver to start the vehicle simply by pressing a push button inside the passenger compartment. A thorough understanding of this type of keyless entry is required to determine correct repair procedures. In addition, the system’s complexity requires using scan tools and a service manual to make any repairs to the system.

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