Pinpoint Test L: The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Temporarily Becomes Inoperative

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Mercury Mountaineer and 2005 Ford Explorer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

L1 CHECK FOR THE CORRECT REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) TRANSMITTERS
- Check that the correct RKE transmitters are used with the vehicle.
  - Make sure the RKE transmitters are ones provided with the OEM system and not from an aftermarket or a dealer installed system that may have been installed on the vehicle.
- Are all the correct RKE transmitters present?
- Yes : GO to L2.
- No : The system cannot be tested without the correct RKE transmitters. INFORM the customer that all the correct RKE transmitters need to be present to proceed with diagnosis of the system.
L2 CHECK THE POWER DOOR LOCK SYSTEM FOR CORRECT OPERATION
- LOCK and UNLOCK the doors with the LH door lock control switch.
- Do all the doors lock and unlock correctly?
- Yes : GO to L3.
- No : GO to PINPOINT TEST A .
L3 CHECK FOR SPECIFIC INTERMITTENT CONDITION
- The customer complains of the RKE transmitter operating initially (first 1 or 2 button presses) but then immediately stop working (none of the buttons work) for at least 10 seconds when the customer is within arms length of the vehicle.
- The RKE transmitter starts operating correctly if the vehicle sits unattended for a period of time.
- Does this specific scenario apply?
- Yes : INSTALL a new vehicle security module. REFER to MULTIFUNCTION ELECTRONIC MODULES . PROGRAM all the transmitters. REFER to REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY TRANSMITTER PROGRAMMING . INFORM the customer that any RKE transmitters not present need to be programmed. CLEAR the DTCs. REPEAT the self-test.
- No : GO to L4.
L4 CHECK THE LOCATION OF THE VEHICLE AND APPROACH ANGLES AROUND VEHICLE
- RKE transmitter range performance may be degraded in certain locations. For example, if the vehicle is within 0.8 km (0.5 mile) of high power devices or radio/TV towers, the operating distance of the transmitters may be reduced.
- Is the intermittent operation with the vehicle location?
- Yes : The system is operating correctly at this time. CLEAR the DTCs. TEST the system for normal operation.
- No : GO to L5.
L5 CHECK THE DOOR LATCH HARDWARE
- Check for:
  - correct electrical connections
  - correct linkages
  - any binding conditions
- Is the door hardware correct?
- Yes : GO to L6.
- No : REPAIR the door hardware.
L6 CHECK ALL THE RKE TRANSMITTERS
- LOCK and UNLOCK the doors with each transmitter.
- Is the intermittent condition present with all the transmitters?
- Yes : INSTALL a new vehicle security module. REFER to MULTIFUNCTION ELECTRONIC MODULES . PROGRAM all the transmitters. REFER to REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY TRANSMITTER PROGRAMMING . INFORM the customer that any RKE transmitters not present need to be programmed. CLEAR the DTCs. REPEAT the self-test.
- No : INSTALL a new RKE transmitter in place of the intermittent transmitter. PROGRAM all the transmitters. REFER to REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY TRANSMITTER PROGRAMMING . INFORM the customer that any RKE transmitters not present need to be programmed. CLEAR the DTCs. TEST the system for normal operation.