[LauraMJ]

I have two vehicles both of which have a remote lock/unlock. My car's remote will work from nearly half a mile away. I've been amazed at how far away it will still work, and it works even through walls. It's great because when I lock it, it honks the horn. So when I come out of a store and cannot remember where the car is, I make it honk at me until I find it. I can pop the trunk from inside the store when the guy in the feed store goes out to load my bags of feed.

Now, my other vehicle, a Suburban, also has a remote, but this thing has a working distance of about three inches. I have to get RIGHT ON TOP of the door, and it has to be the DRIVER'S door, in order for it to work. Now, if I have to stand that close and hold the remote that close, I might as well use the key! I've replaced the batter in the remote, but that did not make any difference.

Is there something inside the Suburban that might also need replacing?

[JohnWill]

Probably not, I've seen a wide variation in the range of the remote controls as well. We have a Volvo, Kia, and my 350Z that all have remotes. They range from really close for the Volvo, to about 50' for the 350Z to a really long distance for the Kia. Hard to know what the variables are, they just are.

[Knotbored]

Same here-I rented a car in Florida and could locate that unfamiliar car in the huge Disney parking lot by a beep and blinking lights from a football field away but my current car (a Dodge) has to be about 20' away. I was told I cannot get a more powerful sending unit-because the codes are "hidden" even from the manufacturers-hard to believe that though.

[LauraMJ]

Come on, guys, that was NOT what I was hoping for!

[JohnWill]

Originally Posted by LauraMJ

Come on, guys, that was NOT what I was hoping for!

I can sell you a really long range "as seen on TV" remote for only $29.95 plus shipping ($599.99)

[Drabdr]

Originally Posted by LauraMJ

Come on, guys, that was NOT what I was hoping for!

I poked around out there and did not see anything. Like John said, I've seen all kinds of ranges on vehicles.

I have a Toyota Sequoia and can't get mine to program at all.

[thomas1891]

what kind of alarm system do you have on both vehicles

[LauraMJ]

Originally Posted by thomas1891

what kind of alarm system do you have on both vehicles

Who are you directing this question to?

[Frank4d]

Do you know where the alarm box is located in the Suburban? Usual locations are under seat, behind instrument panel, in center console. Perhaps moving it (even slightly) will improve the remote range.

[LauraMJ]

The alarm box is where the other "end" of the remote is?

[Frank4d]

Yes. I am assuming the remote entry and alarm are one box. In my van it is a 3 x 3 1 inch black box hidden behind the instrument panel. It's one that you can buy for about $100, but costs $400 Installed by the car dealer.

[LauraMJ]

Is it powered by wiring to the truck battery, or does it have it's own battery, like the remote?

[Frank4d]

It is powered by the truck battery. It probably has a wiring harness with a dozen or so wires plugged into it. These things are mean't to be hidden, so if you don't know where to look you'll probably never find it.

[LauraMJ]

Thanks, Frank! We'll take a look at it.

[kiwiguy]

Usually there is an unconnected wire, emanating from the controller box. This is the antenna.
If it has been left folded up, range will be shorter. It should be fully extended somewhere under the dash.

I have a Suzuki Swift, which has imense range, and a Mercedes Benx SLK which has a very localised range. However either work OK for me.