My car (04 911), used to have a really dismal keyfob range from the factory. On a good it would work as far as 4-5', on a bad day you'd have to have the keyfob next to the windshield and bad days outnumbered good 10:1.

I've heard that there was a TSB that was suppossed to address just this with a new antenna. The car went in last night and today I'm very pleased to state that the remote range went at least 10 fold. It is just as good as my camry. I've tried it as far as 30 yards and it still works!

 

Newb question, what is a tsb, and how can I.

 

TSB= technical service bulletin. It is kind of like a recall notice e.g. it is basically a letter from the factory to the dealerships explaining how to address frequently happing problems/complains. Usually happens for some design issue and involves a new part kit.

Unlike recalls, TSB are "voluntary" e.g. done on dealer's discretion during post-warranty period e.g. the dealer migth charge you for this if your car is beyond the warranty.

 

very good info thanks for sharing!

 

Link to the TSB? Thanks!

 

TSB's are on Renntech.org. I did the mod last weekend and it take 10-15 minutes and is great.

 

Coupe takes longer (~an hour) because of all the trim pieces, but the actual fix is easy and the results well worth the effort.

 

Dscott, or Anyone care to share the DIY instructions please?

 

I followed FWM instructions to remove my 2000 C4 coupe's trim panels, and then the suggests I found posted by deputydog95; his main points are copied below.

This link shows some photos of what we're working on, but talks about altering the wire's length which I did NOT do.
http://www.lotususa.com/Alex/LongRange/default.htm

Once the wires hidden in the left-hand front (A) pillar are exposed...

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The loom is covered with a black mesh material that is held together with Velcro. Starting from the top, open the mesh till you see a white wire. This is your remote antenna. It looks like any other antenna wire you would see on the back of a stereo, etc... Continue undoing the velcro until the white wire turns black. This is the antenna cover. All the wires in the loom are held together with tape. No need to take the tape off. Just slip the white portion of the antenna wire from out of the tape. Bend the white portion of the antenna out, so that you can reattach the Velcro cover over the wire loom, but leaving the white portion of the antenna wire exposed. Make sure the velcro cover is reattached all the way to the top. The wire loom should look exactly the way it was when you found it, except for the white portion of the antenna sticking out of it now.
Put the whole loom back into place. It is held there by velcroe as well. You can leave the white antenna wire running next to the loom. No need to tape it as far as I can tell.
Give it a test to make sure it's working. Reverse the process ...

Apparently, that velcro mesh wire cover has some sort of metallic weave that reduces reception. Just exposing the wire significantly improves performance. The tech bulletins call for shortening the wire and some even call for extending and relocating the wire...
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I did as DD suggests and just pulled the wire out from inside the velcro mesh cover. My range was dramaticly increased; consitently ~40 feet. My guess is that the remote's battery life is also improved since I don't have to push the button so many times to unlock the car.

 

Dscott, YooHoooo! Thanks mate! I will attempt that when I can find some time.

 

Thanks for the advice. The lack of distance has always irritated me. Looks as if I have a project this weekend

 

worked great for me

 

Yeah this is next on my list too- Thanks for posting.

 

Another thanks for posting. I have wondered about this problem and had never seen discussion of this TSB. Thanks!

 

Looks like you're referring to TSB 9662 that was issued on 8/04. I'd like to see an actual copy of the bulletin though.