Forum Discussion

vonzoog's avatar
vonzoog
Explorer
Jan 25, 2017

2016 RAM 3500 Homelink Issues

Last month I traded 04 RAM 2500 for a brand new (last one on the lot) 2016 RAM 3500 Laramie DRW. I am ready to tear the Homelink unit out and chuck it as far as I can.

I have an attached garage and external shop building with garage doors. My two cars also have a Homelink system and I have a remote control that clips to the sun visor. They work fine from great distance away, like from the road. My driveway is 180' long to the shop. No matter how and how many times I program the RAM it may work or it may not (which is easily 95% of the time). If it does work I have to drive so close to the door that the parking sensors start beeping.

Dealer is listening to me but are saying they have no way of testing the unit and are not sure they can replace the unit without a way to justify replacement. I told them I would buy the beer and could sit with me in my driveway and cuss at it with me. Surprisingly they did not take me up on this.

Am I the only one having this problem? I have read that some GM owners were having this problem with some Duramax. I love this truck, but for the price these trucks costs, I expect everything should work. Any thoughts or suggestions, other than fighting the dealership. I am already doing that. Am l and the dealership missing something here?
Tow Vehicles
  • 2012Coleman's avatar
    2012Coleman
    Explorer II
    Jan 26, 2017
    Have you taken the Customer Satisfaction Survey yet? If not, your in luck. Tell the salesman or whoever your dealing with that you'll be happy to give them a high score on this survey if they solve your problem to your satisfaction. They should jump through hoops to make you happy.

    In car dealerships, it's common to hear a salesperson ask or even beg for a customer who has just bought a car to give him top marks in the customer satisfaction survey that will soon arrive. Here's why: The salesperson's pay, and potentially, the job itself, may very well depend on getting perfect 10s in this survey.

    Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) scores are an important part of everyday life at a dealership, and for good reason. Automakers want to hear from customers in order to gauge how well the franchise is doing in key areas, primarily the customer's satisfaction with the sale process. On the dealership level, these scores often determine future inventory. The better the score, the more likely a dealership is to get in-demand vehicles. Depending on the manufacturer, CSI scores also can affect the end-of-year bonuses it pays to the dealership.

    Use this to your advantage. Good luck.
  • dpatt67's avatar
    dpatt67
    Explorer
    Jan 26, 2017
    After many years of having a Homelink system, Ive noticed there are certain openers it just doesn't like synching up with. One of my shop garage door openers I have tried a million times to pair up with 3 different trucks(all Rams)and no go. It might be your truck and door opener just don't like each other. Good luck
  • blofgren's avatar
    blofgren
    Explorer
    Jan 26, 2017
    Mine can be a bit hit and miss at times too. I back my truck in so that may have something to do with it depending on where the antenna is. It seems to go in stages where it works fine for quite some period of time and then not so good for a period of time. When it hasn't been working I have looked at the DIC and it indicates that it is transmitting. :h

    My wife's Acura MDX works the vast majority of the time but sometimes it doesn't either. We have keychain remotes that are programmed for our garage door and alarm system so it isn't a huge deal when they don't work, just an annoyance.

    So I don't think issues with these is uncommon but it seems ours work most of the time. Please let us know how you make out.
  • Nicholsfamily05's avatar
    Nicholsfamily05
    Explorer
    Jan 26, 2017
    Our home link works pretty well from 150' plus but we have no other interference.
    We are out in the sticks.

    The issue we have is with the remote start. Barely works from 10' away.
    Door locks will work from an amazing distance.
    Dealer said nothing wrong with remote start.

    Our last Ram we didn't have any issues with distance or interference. These new trucks it's always something.
  • vonzoog's avatar
    vonzoog
    Explorer
    Jan 25, 2017
    I have tried Homelink.com. They have great video for programming, but no troubleshooting or tech support.

    My question is how can so many Rams work perfectly and mine does not. Seems to me the unit should be replaced. I have not been able to convince the dealership of that possibility at this time. Although they are working with me on this, it just may take some more time.
  • Ron3rd's avatar
    Ron3rd
    Explorer III
    Jan 25, 2017
    It works fine on my 2016 CTD, but having said that, I've had problems with Homelink on other vehicles in the past. Some require extra steps that are listed later in your manual, or check out the Homelink website.
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Jan 25, 2017
    Go to homelink.com and nose around. Its quite possible the antenna has been crimped or damaged.
  • austingta's avatar
    austingta
    Explorer
    Jan 25, 2017
    If you don't get good service from the service advisor and then the service manager, take it to the dealer principal. Then on to Ram's corporate problem resolution team... their number is in your owner manual I think.

    A suggestion for them would be to give you a loaner and have a rep or tech take it home and try it at their house to verify the problem. From whatever distance is appropriate.

    The dealer really wants to make it right, for several reasons, not the least of which is they get paid well for warranty work.

    Tricky problems require patience, persistence and poiteness.

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