My last Dodge Ram ever !

[NanciL]

Last week, my TV truck, (2014 Dodge Ram 1500) mysteriously locked itself with the "fob" in it. Luckily we were in the drive way, so just got the second one out of the trailer.
Yesterday it started locking the truck every time I even put my finger on it without pushing the lock button.
I guessed that it must be time to replace the battery, but when I opened it up, a tiny eighth inch metal disc fell out. I found where the disk went, (under the lock button), but it would not stay when I tried to put it back.
Today I called a Dodge dealer to see about replacing it, and the cost for the "fob" is $180 and then there is another $120 for the programming it.

When I bought the truck that was the one thing I didn't like because it is so humongous compared to a simple key.

I can well afford the cost, but the principal of the idiotic contraption is what burns me more then anything

I have always have either a Ford or Chevy and needless to say this will be my last Dodge

Good luck to you folks that have this same "Fob"

jack L

[wa8yxm]

Just one question.. And by the way I know the answer is not always what one might expect.. But does the door have a good old fashion Insert the key in the lock type lock? (Some do not now days)

Odds are I could put the battery back, they do sometimes take a bit of placement, or the service consultant at the dealer might be able to do it.

And yes, the replacement fob cost is .. Outrageous. I mean a decent hacker can make you one for next to nothing. in theory I have the skills but I've never attempted.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

NanciL wrote:


Today I called a Dodge dealer to see about replacing it, and the cost for the "fob" is $180 and then there is another $120 for the programming it.

snip

I can well afford the cost, but the principal of the idiotic contraption is what burns me more then anything

I feel your pain. As a fellow kayaker, keeping those pricey little things DRY while paddling is critical - the last thing you need is to arrive at your destination and not have the vehicle open or start....eeeks!

Locking the doors spontaneously seems to be a "Dodge" thing - as a used-car lot owner, we've had this happen multiple times. Enough so that we now have a rule: any Dodges that are parked inside the building must have the keys left under the windshield wiper. I'm currently driving a Journey, and it will happily lock the fob inside.

Sometimes, a lock and key specialist can program fobs for less $$$ than a dealer charges (although some dealers will program for free for a "regular" customer)

[Community Alumni]

I have a 2014 Ram. The key fob would not always respond to lock/unlock the doors; this was this past August 2016. Dealer ordered a new fob and programmed it under the standard warranty which is 3 years for this sort of thing.

I don't understand why you would have had to pay for anything, it should be under warranty.

[tinner12002]

If that would happen to me, I can unlock my Ram using my cell phone. I'd say just bite the bullet, throw away the bad Fob and purchase a new one and motor on. Any TV you have could easily have the same or similar issues.

[ChooChooMan74]

I have a Ram (Not a Dodge, as they split a long time ago) 1500 with the FOBIK. I also have keys cut so that I can lock the fob up and just carry a key when I do things like go to theme parks (Where I am not camping at the park).

One thing I found out, I can start my truck with my finger as long as the FOBIK is right next to the ignition. I thought that was pretty cool, as when we travel with the pup (all 4 pounds of her), we can leave her in the AC while we grab a bite at the rest area (of course, we walk her first).

FOBIK cases can be bought on Amazon. I would look to see if you just need a case replacement. I am actually thinking about buy a case, as it is easier to do the above with an empty FOBIK case than with your finger.

[hypoxia]

There are lots of things I like about my 2014 Ram, the trailer mirrors are not one of them, they should have the GM/Ford style trailering mirrors. The Ram Box is wonderful. The Air Suspension is nice.

The Ford door keypad is something that all vehicles should have.

GM/Chevy should make a upper trim level truck with 6 passenger seating, NO console.

[jamesroadking]

This is one of many reasons to buy Ford trucks. Ford trucks have a 5 button combination push buttons on the outside of the drivers door.
No FOB or key needed to get into your truck.

[Halmfamily]

free radical wrote:
Fwiw
I have 08 Chevy truck and the ignition key has a electronic chip in it,so getting new key it if goes bad will cost 120$..

Im guessing most trucks nowadays have these to prevent vehicle theft..

Btw if your key gets too worn out unable to turn and start the engine(happened to me once on 2000gmc),, try fliping it around,,should work then..

I lost one of my 08 GMC truck keys last year. Ordered one off of Amazon for $18.00 and took it to Home Depot and the cut it for me at no charge. The key came with instructions on how to program it to the truck. Only took a couple of minutes and have not had any issues.

[NanciL]

There is no such thing on it with a "push to start".
It is plastic that has to be inserted into an opening and then turned like a metal key.
It is probably the most stupid invention ever for the automotive industry.

jack L

[cpaulsen]

Go to an aftermarket supplier. Replace My Remote is one of them. Bought one for my 2014 Jeep Cherokee for 80 bucks and it came with an uncut key. Took it to the dealer.......70 bucks to program and 10 buck to cut the key.Took about 45 minutes for both.

[DrewE]

Even (nearly all) modern vehicles that use a "key" basically have the same system; the difference is mainly the start switch is rotary rather than a pushbutton. The vehicle interrogates the chip in the key or fob to see if it's the programmed one and won't start if it is not. Hotwiring a modern car is nearly impossible, and vehicle theft stats and methods reflect that.

[rhagfo]

B.O. Plenty wrote:

tdst51 wrote:
Sooooo what I'm understanding is I can replace the FOB receptacle with a regular key receptacle? Sounds too good to be true. I hate that FOB! 😞

I don't think so..I believe you're stuck with that fob thing.

B.O.

X2
It is one of the security features!
DW had wallet and car key (FOBed) as she was leaving work one day. Called me to go get the other set of keys while she watched the car. Luckily she had disabled the horn honk on lock, but she did see the lights flash a couple times.
Cost us in the area of $250 for new key and dealer programming due to now only having one key. Once the new key was programmed the stolen key was useless, would set off the alarm if used to turn the door lock.

[B_O__Plenty]

tdst51 wrote:
Sooooo what I'm understanding is I can replace the FOB receptacle with a regular key receptacle? Sounds too good to be true. I hate that FOB! 😞

I don't think so..I believe you're stuck with that fob thing.

B.O.

[B_O__Plenty]

Bionic Man wrote:
Virtually EVERY new vehicle has the same type of key. And they have for a while. I have a 2007 Chrysler 300 and a 2007 Porsche Cayman, an 11 Yukon Denali as well as the truck in my signature. All have the same, expensive key.

For what it is worth, you should be able to get a replacement key off eBay, likely for less than $30 (that is what I did when my 300 key failed. Then go to a locksmith and they can reprogram your keys. Or, if you have 2 working keys, open up your owners manual, and do it yourself.

Ram pickups do not use a key as such for the ignition. They use the end of the remote fob that plugs into a hole in the dash. You only have a "real key" for the glovebox door and the doorlocks if you chose not to use the remote. You cannot start them with a key..

B.O.

[free_radical]

Fwiw
I have 08 Chevy truck and the ignition key has a electronic chip in it,so getting new key it if goes bad will cost 120$..

Im guessing most trucks nowadays have these to prevent vehicle theft..

Btw if your key gets too worn out unable to turn and start the engine(happened to me once on 2000gmc),, try fliping it around,,should work then..