Fix poor range on remote key fob for S70

Waltazhaar · Post by **Waltazhaar** » 29 Oct 2016, 08:50

Hello people,

I have a problem with my S70s remote locking range. I can just lock the car if I have the remote just next to the drivers door or next to the windshield. I've tried by changing batteries in the remote but it didn't help.

Is there any way of increasing the range/reception of the central locking unit by, for example, soldering a wire to the antenna of the unit?

I'd also like to know where the unit is located exactly. I've heard its a black box under the dashboard, on top of the instrumentcluster. Is this correct?

Has anyone done this already? I appreciate all the help I can get.

Kind regards

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 29 Oct 2016, 09:34

That suggests a problem with the transmitter, much more likely than the receiver.
Unfortunately, proving the theory requires a new remote. And dealer programming.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 29 Oct 2016, 13:10

It sounds dumb but if you stick it under your chin and press the button the range will improve by about 300%.

...Lee

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 29 Oct 2016, 14:32

Ozark Lee wrote:It sounds dumb but if you stick it under your chin and press the button the range will improve by about 300%.

...Lee

Sure, but his range is far less than normal.
My '98 fob hits from 30 feet without the chin trick.

Post by **tryingbe** » 29 Oct 2016, 15:21

My 850 manual says 5 meter range.

Waltazhaar · Post by **Waltazhaar** » 29 Oct 2016, 17:21

I'm assuming the transmitters aren't at fault here as they both have new batteries in them and are equally bad when it comes to range. I have to hold them about 1 inch from the glass to make them lock/unlock the car.

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 29 Oct 2016, 21:33

If the euro version is the same as US, it's on top of the cluster.
There's no external antenna. Even if there was, extending the
antenna isn't going to fix a receiver with problems.

Waltazhaar · Post by **Waltazhaar** » 30 Oct 2016, 08:48

BEJinFbk wrote:If the euro version is the same as US, it's on top of the cluster.
There's no external antenna. Even if there was, extending the
antenna isn't going to fix a receiver with problems.

I was thinking of opening the unit and clean plus resolder, and extending, the antenna inside the unit for better reception.

Theoretically that should work. I just need to know exactly which unit it is.

Post by **kranz** » 30 Oct 2016, 12:00

Waltazhaar wrote:Hello people,

I have a problem with my S70s remote locking range. I can just lock the car if I have the remote just next to the drivers door or next to the windshield. I've tried by changing batteries in the remote but it didn't help.

My spouse now has this problem with her 2004 V70, but a second FOB works with no problem. So in her case, the problem seems to be isolated to her particular FOB. I replaced the battery to no avail. However, I did notice that on her FOB, unlike the second FOB, the battery does not fit snugly in its receptacle. I suspect poor battery contact may be at fault.

Post by **mecheng** » 31 Oct 2016, 06:33

I have the same problem, I notice it is worst when I am closer to downtown; I think all the radio waves interfere with the transmission.

My 850 doesn't have the same problem. I think extending the antennae would work if its possible.