Dodge Ram Keyfob Failure & Analysis 2009 - 2015

Analysis of failed keyfob

[@STONEZDAWG]

Used this to fix my fob for a 2016 Dodge Caravan. Very helpful! Thank you! Love saving money and not giving it to the dealership

[@martinspisak8013]

Dude - I like your analytical skills, ingenuity, and attitude!! Good job.

[@DonBrandt]

Thank you for watching and commenting! I hope the video is useful. -cheers don

[@chingona1816]

thank you so much for this Video!!! I actually was on my way to the stealer-ship, to purchase my key and get it programed, but after watching this video I turned around and now online looking for a key, I was using some of my savings to purchase the darn thing. Thank you thank you, your a life saver!!!

[@DonBrandt]

Hello Lucy, I'd love to hear about how your repair goes. Best of luck! -don

[@RebeccaRivera61]

My fob cracked and didn't have a good contact. I purchased one on-line to program myself. yes I had two original fobs. It didn't work. even had others try it. threw it in a drawer 6 months ago. watched this video and THANK YOU so much. all I did was switch the insides of cracked fob to the brand one. worked like a charm. if I had not watched this video I would have never known to try that. you saved me some money as I was ready to purchased another one. not very smart having only one fob at a time.

[@dexterjackson27]

My 2014 Ram was doing the same as yours, horn blowing when no one was close to the remote, etc. I followed your directions to the letter. And much to my amazement, it's now working like new. Thanks a bunch.

[@grantfitch8393]

Thank you so much for these great ideas. I have a 2019 grand caravan and my side doors would just randomly open. After a 300 dollar quote from the dealer I bought some cheap aftermarket’s from Amazon which did not pair with the new grand caravan. So I disassembled them. The aftermarket fob had a plastic tape covering the circuit board that force connected the circuit board to the metal connectors. So I ripped off the tape gently and reattached them on top of the circuit board of my native key. Everything works like a charm now.

[@barbietaylor936]

This was very helpful because I had no clue how to change the battery and I thought I might break the thing. Thanks for the video!!

[@DonBrandt]

Barbie Taylor thank you for watching my video and commenting ... I'm very happy it was helpful and have a great day...

[@bennyrokgravel]

great vid my friend! we need more like it. love seeing stuff like this because I was at my dealer yesterday and that was the price they quoted me, that's why im watching vids along this line.

[@djmarkley6095]

Wow. Brilliant. Need to watch these more. I was just too dumb to figure out how to get the darned key out because my battery is dead. Learning every day.

[@linzienacoledesigner]

Thank you for your video my connections were so dirty my unlock and lock stopped working and the dealer wanted $198 for the fob and another $67 for programing and you saved me that

[@TravelAboveMe]

Well done Don, I noticed my switch buttons failed as well. This is a clever and much cheaper fix for anyone willing to spend 10 minutes to understand your point. Thanks!

[@Daniel-xv5oe]

Very good video, very informative and helpful, going through the same process now on 2014 dodge 2500. And to answer your Engineering question in 3 words it’s “made to fail” mate. No doubt

[@gwanma]

I opened mine and noticed those little discs had dislodged and when I glued it back on, they all work now. I don’t know for how long this temp fix saved us $400. All my buttons work now but this gave me the courage to open it up and see what was wrong. Thanks for the video.

[@mcbrideslaw9847]

I had the same problem. Bought a replacement on ebay for $10.49 and re-assembled like you and it worked! Thanks! Save a ton of $.

[@DonBrandt]

I'm glad you got it fixed!! -cheers

[@shellyp7167]

Thank you! Worked for me and saved lots of money! Loved the video!

[@markbridge3012]

Thank You Don! Just saved me $360. Fixed for $0 The fob on my 2011 Ram 1500 was doing weird things, like when I locked the doors the windows would partially open and the unlock was intermittent. Usually, when things go wonky the battery needs replacement, so I replaced it. Now the unlock wouldn't work at all. WTF? So I took off the rubber pad. There was a glob of dirt which I dumped out onto my workbench and I proceeded to clean the contacts on the circuit board. Reassembled it and.......nothing works! Then I watched your video and the light came on. Thankfully, I hadn't had time to throw the glob of dirt in the garbage. When I studied it more carefully, I found it was three very dirty little metal discs stuck together. A few minutes with contact cleaner and emery cloth got them all cleaned up. A last cleaning of the discs and rubber keypad with alcohol and I glued them back in place with Lepage's Repair Gel. After a couple of hours for the glue to set, I reassembled it and Voila! - everything works perfectly. Time will tell if the glue holds up, but at least I now know what the problem is and how to fix it for free.

[@jacojanks5985]

Thank you for this trick. I was about to pay a locksmith to reprogram key. The problem was the same where the metal contacts had fallen off. Swapped internals. Now I have 2 fully operational fobs for $15 from eBay. THANK YOU!!! You saved me a bunch of money!!!!

[@user-rt6of7it6m]

What did you type in on eBay to purchase it?

[@jacojanks5985]

@@user-rt6of7it6m Ram keyfob then whatever year

[@kygator1]

Thank you very much.. I have 2012 and fob was acting up. .I'm not paying 250 $ for something that cost 20 to make.. I watched your video and pulled mine apart and I had two disk moved and making contact with one another.. all good now! Thank you!

[@howiebird9410]

I repaired someone's 2 fobs with tinfoil, a paper punch and glue. It was for a Pontiac G5 or G6. Use the paper punch to make a perfect circle of tinfoil for each and put a dab of glue on the rubber. With tweezers, place a circle on it. button. The ones I fixed are still working after 3 or 4 years. With the Ram, the circles need to be bigger. But I think this would work fine. (I used dollar store two part epoxy mix and a tooth pick to put glue on the rubber) Clean the rubber, remove anything old first. Shinny side towards the circuit board.

[@tchew25]

I have a truck with the remote start feature and wanted it disabled because it would start when the key was in my pocket. So, I also put in a new rubber piece without that one contactor. You could also disable it by peeling it off inside. Good analysis, good to know the parts are actually interchangeable.

[@waltermacpherson3648]

Thank you so much for this video! You helped me out more than you know. I just wanted to let you know the way around the alarm going off when you use the backup key. When you get out of the vehicle manually lock the door before you close it. Hold up the outside door handle while closing the door. Door will be locked without the alarm on.😁👍

[@waltermacpherson3648]

They changed the electronic board on the cheap replacement, the button clickers are now on the board itself unfortunately.☹️

[@frankautin8989]

I have a 2012 and it was getting to the point where it was hard to unlock my doors with the key fob button. This was the only function that was affected . When opening up the remote I was able to see gold tabs on the circuit board that make a connection when you press the button on the... back side of the rubber boot there are metal disc that touch on to the goal tabs on the circuit board. All I had to do was use a little Brasso with a paper towel and gently wipe the gold tabs. Apparently they was slightly corroded or had some type of crud on them. Now they are clean and shiny. Now it functions like new.

[@Minivan_milf]

Thank you so much! I had a proud independent woman moment a few minutes ago after I took the fob apart, wiped it all clean and now all my buttons work like a charm!!

[@jesusmolina5428]

Don, I loved your video and I thank you for sharing what you have learned. I love the fact that you are tecnical about stuff and explain through trial and error.

[@DonBrandt]

Why thank you for the comments. Have a good day!

[@luisbarba8136]

I just wanted to say thank you for what you showed us

[@DonBrandt]

Cheers!

[@daveroberts9655]

Great work around. Thanks

[@gemcitygoonz]

Thank you for this video. I bought a cheap fob off of Amazon, replaced the switches. And it worked. You saved me over 500 dollars. Thank you so much.

[@usesmartinez]

Thank you for sharing! We have the same problem with our VW routan that is a dodge model.

[@starrjones8175]

Thanks ! great video you know your stuff

[@jbluezfan]

Thanks my 2014 Dodge Caravan Key Fob lock buttons stopped working you are correct on everything you are saying I ordered another fob I think the switch cover most likely will solve the problem using the new one

[@clambert2020]

You made the battery swap easy as pie. Thanks.

[@dopespillcomics]

The keys are so cheaply made you think they would charge less

[@MichiganPeatMoss]

at a dealer, don't bet on it.

[@garymandrella7857]

Thanks worked perfectly!

[@erichdavis9998]

Planned obsolescence is a business strategy. They make products meant to fail so that you have to pay an arm and a leg for a fix.

[@DonBrandt]

ikr... hope i can help people with this video

[@erichdavis9998]

I got a new fob for my mother yesterday. It looks a lot like the one you got to replace yours, but it doesn't seem to want to work. I'm thinking of trying a new battery, maybe that with the new contacts cover should do the trick.

[@aarongreen39]

Yeah this is sad because it's a universal truth, meaning almost all products for anything and everything are sold to fail.

[@ryuken338]

And now you know why Toyota has overtaken all of the American car makers.

[@GuardYourFlanks]

Ordered the part but I found a fix in the meantime. Those metal circles I bent just slightly with needle nose pliers. They now make a full connection completing the circuit to allow the buttons to work again. They are a bit more stiff now.

[@buddythomas7075]

Thanks saved me money! Same problem with the contact disk!

[@deborahsmith3718]

So I was amazed!! Wish I had found this a couple of years ago! I had ordered a fob on line to replace mine because the trunk opener didn't work, and sometimes it would unlock the car while in my pocket. The local locksmith tried to program the new one after they cut the key, but it was really only good for a spare to open and start the car. After watching this, I took both the original & the "replacement" apart and noticed there was only one tiny metal button left in the original! I think all of the others must have dropped off while changing the battery a couple of times. So the new fob circuit board had all four buttons I needed TAPED ON! I turned both over just for curiosity and noticed that the circuit board was missing some of the things on the other one, which may be why everyone keeps saying you have to get them re-programmed. Very sly of auto makers, don't you think? Anyway I cleaned up the original really well with the alcohol, used an xacto knife dipped in alcohol, and slowly but carefully peeled off the whole piece of tape, placed it on the original, sealed the fob back up, crossed my fingers, took some deep breaths and WOO HOO! WORKS PERFECTLY!!! I am a 68 year old woman who worked on cars my entire life and can't believe it was that simple. 15 MINUTES or less, (I think I had a bathroom break) and I can finally open my trunk without reaching under the dashboard. Honestly, what another rip off from the world of vehicles. Had a 2010 Dodge Durango years ago that we had to spend $275 or more to get the key replaced. I just saved anywhere between $75-$400. Even the locksmith was going to have me come in between 7:30-8 because they might need a "magnifying glass" to fix it. I think I will show up anyway with the photo just to show him how I did it. I am sure that is the first thing they look for, then cut the tape to the correct size with the little buttons off a roll and stick it on. "Thank you, that will be $75.00". Really you made my day.🥰🎉🥳

[@KenMagee]

Buying the cheap knockoffs from Amazon and putting my board in them, along with the emergency door key worked PERFECTLY! Thank you my friend for saving me hours of frustration and headache.

[@shanewasson7608]

hi.just went through the same thing .just wanted to share what i did. the little metal disks came unglued. i super glued them back on then took sandpapper and lightly scuffed up the area that makes contact to board. everything is working. thanks for the video.

[@disasterreadydepot]

I had the same problem, dealer were charging too much for a piece of plastic and programming. So I did some research bought key two new fob’s online...call my local LOCK SMITH and they programmed the new fob’s for the fraction of the cost..and they have been working great for several years now. TIP: Call your local lock smith and see if they can program key fob’s.

[@qpeoples6106]

Thanks man you saved me a bunch of money

[@thetinkeringjuggernaut8538]

Your fix is a nicer solution but I wanted to touch on something you mentioned that may help others out. You mentioned the aluminum tape solution. I have repaired two different fobs using heavy duty aluminum foil (not tape). I took the foil with some paper behind it to act as a backing and punched out nice clean aluminum foil circles with a hole punch. Then I used contact cement on the old button contacts and the foil (applied with a toothpick) and let it dry before pressing them together. One of the fobs belonged to my mother-in-law' car and one was mine and they are both still working. I repaired mine about 4 years ago and hers about two years ago. Just wanted to mention that in case anyone is interested. Not as elegant but functional and didn't cost me anything other than a little time.

[@DonBrandt]

Hello Juggernaut, thanks for commenting and offering another solution that may help people, especially those on a budget! Hey, I've got my eye on your new channel, and expecting great things -cheers

[@keithnoneya]

Nice little vid Don. The current design should be more reliable than the push button, and it's a lot easier to make. The push button would eventually rub through the rubber and allow contaminates in. So with that said the only reason to have such a high price is pure profit. I love how you found an almost exact duplicate and used new and old parts to fix it. Thanks for sharing. Best Wishes n Blessings Keith

[@MichiganPeatMoss]

One of my fobs had the metal disks floating about - :) explains why the windows were rolling down at random as they traveled over various contacts within the housing. "glue sticked" them back in place on the PCB and carefully replaced the rubber key cover. Appears to be all good now. At least it wasn't the ECM. lol - 2019 - out!

[@waltergibson4624]

A #2 pencil eraser makes an excellent electric contact cleaner. No liquids to gum things up later.

[@mrdman094081]

Have you found where to order the microdot contact films or the new style button contacts ?

[@mrgoodbar672001]

Thanks for Thai solution . I have this issue currently. In order to avoid the alarm I have to lock my truck manually. I disabled the Auto Unlock feature and I don’t use the lock switch on the door. I actually push down on each doors lock. It’s a headache. I’ll order new buttons now thanks

[@camping_with_tywan]

Awesome video

[@dalekrohse1871]

I wonder, in October 2022, if DeOxIt electrical contact spray liquid on a Q-tip would be effective in cleaning the contact cup surface. It seems to work well with a lot of things I work with.

[@Dugco71]

Thanks for the help

[@mazass]

What key fobs did you buy? When I bought mine, they did not have the contacts in the keypad like the original.

[@b.g.burleson6437]

Most helpful.

[@TheRubbrdux]

Tnx for the guidance!!

[@davesielaff3268]

A little addem here. I take that door key that is hidden in the fob and make a copy. This copy I keep in on my key chain with house key or put it in your wallet, hidden on the car. That way if you do happen to drop the fob in the car as you shut the locked doors, you have a way to get in without having to call a locksmith. I thank Don very much for the info on the inside of these fobs. All the dealers should be shammed for charging $ 200 for a $20 part. You can't tell me it cost Dodge that much more to have that part made than a generic costs beside a minimal amount.

[@PerplexedUc9]

With the buttons u could always run magnet wires as jumper wiring to the board to the button

[@Lefty1970us]

Thanks for the info. Just fixed both of my fobs. It looked like someone MacGyvered them in the past. Work like a charm now!!! Cheers!!

[@randyearles1634]

circuit boards seem same size, did you try switching outer plastics?

[@Montrealera]

Had a similar problem with my fob for 2010 Grand Caravan. Took it apart and cleaned it. I also peeled off the metal discs and use DeoxIT D5 cleaner to clean the contact points. I used Scotch tape to hold the discs to the board instead of the rubber part. So far, it is working, but for how long, I don't know.

[@tonyslawncare]

Thank you

[@glennmatigian4125]

This totally worked.opened it up found metal plate floating around and reglued back on rubber backing and hopefully it lasts

[@shoshanaberkovic8438]

Where did you buy the replacement key fob from on ebay?

[@markmatteo2417]

where did you get the outter shells?

[@Prough]

Useful !

[@raymondherbert3960]

VERY VERY GOOD.

[@stevenblanchard303]

What brand after market fob or where did you buy it? Please and thank you!

[@topdollarmobile7460]

just bought a ram truck and had a problem where lock and unlock wouldnt work and the buttons werent pressing as the contacts had gotten loose inside. I had a couple of these keys laying around from a 2012 grand caravan. (my truck is a 2011 ram 1500). Anyway I swapped the face over and im gonna see if this fixed it tomorrow when I go to pick it up. What I do know is the buttons are now clicking.

[@GuardYourFlanks]

Thanks, I have been dealing with this for some time. I tried to clean the contacts and still nothing. I figured it had to be the switch as they looked rather odd even after cleaning them. I'm going to buy this from ebay and see if I can do the same thing. I'm not about to pay $300 for 1 key.

[@rogeryanez8107]

Thank you sir you have save me some serious cash 🤘

[@fdmackey3666]

In December of 2021 I took our 2014 RAM 1500 in for service ahead of a double round trip between northeastern South Carolina and central Virginia. While at the dealership I asked the service manager if she could have my (failed) fob repaired and if not how much it would cost to have two new ones (The Lovely Brides fob failed at about the same time mine did back in 2017) programed.....Price per fob: $268.95!!! So we use the keys, not the little bitty ones inside the fobs, that ALSO came with the truck at the time of purchase new in late 2013 to unlock the truck and the door mounted button to lock the doors upon exit. Both original fobs still function as ignition keys. Based on our experience with failed fobs and the existence of not two but four metal keys that came with the truck I strongly suspect that somebody in RAM food chain knew that the fobs were a failure point and/or a good way to make a some "side cash" too.

[@tallll70]

You can buy them for 50 bucks and program them with alfaobd to your vehicle

[@pedritoc.c.t.665]

Hey I broke may oem and can t program new one "not responsive "" can we by pass the micro ship option ? Already got a alarm so I dont need it

[@chancelindeman906]

Nice lil tip for everyone! I got absolutely f***ing pissed off and ended up taping the buttons on the correct spots and my key fob works flawlessly now, my buttons kept sliding off

[@summergain]

One of my fobs went thru the laundry, the other got soaked in my pocket during a rainstorm. They both will start the van but none of the buttons work. So i just had a seperate key cut and open the door with that. Before the rainstorm, i had replaced the plastic shell and rubber cover a few times because just the slightest touch or bump could lock or unlock the doors. Like sliding the fob into my pocket could operate the locks 5 or 6 times. Walking to or from the van could have the locks operating. So i just leave the fob hidden in the debris inside the van and use the key. Not convenient, but better than leaving the van unlocked unknowingly. And now that it has 184000 miles on it and it is a rolling environmental disaster there is no point in waisting anymore money on it.

[@steelman46]

where did your order the new fob from?

[@JR99888]

I have that problem but with the lock button I’m guessing its the same thing you had a problem with i don’t think its making any contact unless i press a bit hard

[@threelstudios7555]

The question is how do you get the Fobik casing apart without breaking it? I tried prying it apart and it seems as though they're glue together so much, it's very difficult to separate it without breaking at least part of it. Also, don't forget about the "All mighty" dollar. Just like the medical/pharma industry carmakers think that we cannot do without them. They fleece the consumer to the breaking point. They know that most people can't figure out a cheaper solution to get their vehicles back into running condition. BTW~Thanks for this video. I still need to figure out how to get the new Fobs apart without breaking them.

[@harryodum5598]

I’m glad that my 2010 ram has a standard key. I still have problems trying to get the key out when you put it into Park. Everyone I know with a ram. That type of has problems. Dodge really has you over. The barrel with their keys pisses me off I’m sure it pisses everyone else off.

[@jerryhenry662]

i started having key problems too with dodge ram same prices were given to me by dealer bottom line i'm through with dodge

[@mrjackpots1326]

Simply buying new shells for the fob is the easiest and cheapest way to deal with this because the fault is usually in those tiny flexible disks. They get corroded and don't make contact properly. $30 for 2 new ones and all you really need is the rubber piece with nice shiny new disks firmly in place. If the fault is in the circuit board then that's a different story, but usually it's just the switch.

[@WholeWorld100]

How did you open it?

[@masonstroud1]

If your fob fails. lock your door. Manually unlock driver door, shut it then open and manually lock the door. Your alarm will not sound when using your key on it at this time.

[@laylow360]

Yeah 360$ for a new key is ridiculous! I ordered one thru eBay and went to a local key programmer and paid 50$ plus 30$ and good to go for now

[@dandancourt9002]

laylow360 please can you sent me the name of your programmer? I have the same problem with my key

[@cudaman2formula874]

If you lock your doors manually the alarm will not set. You can lock it with the key or lock it with your finger push the lock down before you shut the door. If you try to lock both doors at once it will arm

[@stephenolaughlin6595]

I just used permatex to re fasten my contacts down but I did them upside down. Oops I’m guessing it’ll be alright.🤞Good call on the new with old fix. Better than new now for sure!

[@Eastsidee817]

I glued mine upside down too lol did u fix it? Mines stent sorking

[@bblazeff1]

Sound a little bit like Jeff Goldblum , good vid man, well done. I'm buying a new fob today.

[@paulgarcia1566]

Once you hear it yes.

[@MarcelDiane]

I wonder if gold plating both the contacts and the button would cure the problem and slow down the corrosion.

[@ColdCoffee122]

Nice repair.

[@DonBrandt]

+Cold Coffee_ thanks for the comment -cheers

[@NoName-kx2ms]

You can buy a brand new body at autozone for 15.00 and save yourself all the hassle. It will have the entire case, if it’s like mine I needed the circuit board so I ended up buying a aftermarket fob from autozone for 147.00 and it came with the programmer and it was easy to program, only took 5 minutes or less.

[@robertbrady8867]

I had a problem with my truck was starting up on its own. The remote start suction cup in my fob came unglued and arching out. I bought a new shell and them cups inside all new and shiz, worked out just fine.

[@robertbrady8867]

Just replace the shell on a regular basis.

[@billr.1230]

My second key fob just failed. Total failure. I thought it was the battery but after replacement, it is still dead. Mine's a 2014 Ram 1500. Tried cleaning it up and that didn't work either. I think I'll go with an aftermarket one.

[@DSMerkonmyface]

you answered your own question, they want you to spend at the dealership aka the steal er ship

[@DonBrandt]

I see what you did there...lol very funny!

[@batoola5336]

Don Brandt

[@Chris-of8ps]

I honestly believe they make these things so flimsy like that so that they can continue to profit after they sell your vehicle that's all it comes down to profit

[@jerryhenry662]

@@Chris-of8ps money hounds

[@TexasTrained]

I went through the same thing on a 2015 model..

[@DarthRaider]

Not sure if it's an issue with my key or the alarm system item self. None of my buttons will work (lock, unlock, trunk release, panic...).

[@jacobsuzuki9121]

Thank you Don, You saved me $600,too. Dealer lost the sweetheart business.

[@DonBrandt]

Glad to hear that. Thanks for your comme t

[@funkyflights]

Working on one of these right now for a friend, it reminds me why I don’t buy American cars anymore …

[@johnbingham3446]

you can now buy just the rubber button pad with dics already attached to it on Amazon for $6

[@husky3g]

That's a good choice but it will wear out soon thereafter just like the original. The OEM design is awful. Secondly, my Challenger only has panic, lock, unlock and trunk pop. Amazon only sells the standalone rubber replacement for fobs with panic, lock/unlock and remote start. If you buy a replacement key, the tactile domes are taped to the new reprogrammable board, so you are still unable to use your original key unless you can remove the tape and perfectly center it on your old keyfob which I tried, and it did not last long. What I ended up doing was soldering real tactile switches to the board of my keyfob and it seems to be working great.

[@johnbingham3446]

@husky3g so far still working. But at the price lot better than whole new key.

[@kenshields1868]

I wish more people knew about stuff like this. I just replaced a key for $25 all in that the dealership wanted to charge $400 for on my 2012 Jeep Compass.

[@davidchartrand6213]

Blows my mind more people don't. Basically the same problem since the original Nintendo controller buttons and most controllers since. Lol. Shit, even TV remotes lol.

[@dtaposse8858]

Gotta hate the stealership,great video sir

[@dannydanny261]

you need to clean the whole key fob with MEK or some other good contact cleaner . the contacts, the metal discs, the components , the circuit board. That should make the circuits on the fob work. at the correct frequency..

[@fredapeeples6619]

MEK is a BAD idea. It can melt the rubber and plastic. Alcohol is better. Three shots of brandy and you'll lose interest.

[@neilwilliams5814]

Couldn't you just take an eraser and clean the brass contacts and add the new rubber with the 4 new silver looking contacts? Awesome video. Thanks a lot.

[@cjeddie]

I used scotch tape and taped the contacts to the board. Glue failed every time you can’t glue metal to rubber. Center the contact discs and tape on top. Tape directly to the board.

[@The_Mavs_Are_Bums]

I changed my battery and used the tape method like you and it still doesnt not work. I wonder what else could be causing the problem in mine