I recently installed a head unit mod from niftycity.shop . Let me start by saying, if any of you are looking for a plug and play module to get apple carplay in your stock headunit, this mod works well. The unit works by using three way wiring harnesses to tap into the cd player and the head unit. It maintains regular functionality but adds carplay through holding the “back” button on the head unit. The only issue i’m having with the unit is that it seems to be having poor effects on my key fob. My key fob seems to have half the range it used to. I troubleshooted by unplugging the power to the new unit, and then trying the door locks again. To no suprise , the door locks and range is back to normal. I noticed that the indicator LED on the new unit is on even when the vehicle is off. I believe the new unit is drawing enough power from the system to have adverse effects on the device that communicates with the key fob. I’m trying to find a way to get around this. I have a few ideas. Idea 1: install a switch that turns the unit completely off that I’ll use when i get in and out of the car. Idea 2: instead of having the device draw power from the head unit like it has, use an “add a circuit” to tap off a fuse that is only on when the car is on, and wire that to the new unit so it isn’t drawing power constantly. Idea 3: (i’m not sure about this) find the fuse that regulates the communication system to the key fob, and put a higher fuse in there. Example: if the fuse is 10 amps, use a 12.5 amp fuse. Any help or thoughts are greatly appreciated

 

Might help solving one problem before moving on to the next, such as the last key fob post you made.

 

Not one hundred percent sure what you are asking. From your own diagnosis the Head Unit you put in is defective...emitting enough spurious emissions that affect the operation of your keyless entry system. This is a DEFECT in the head unit (either a local oscillator or some kind of heterodyne effect not shielded correctly. Ask the vendor for a new head unit. Accepting this is accepting the reduced communications range of your keys/system. You validated that it is not a well shielded system or maybe, you didn't ground it correctly. Grounds are good. Ground on both ends of a signal cable are bad. They start making things into inadvertent antennae.

Not sure why you think adding a bigger fuse will help...bigger fuses don't allow the range to increase. Their only purpose is to save your car and systems from something drawing too much current. Not making the stereo louder or more range on the cb!

My suggestion is 1.) Check your grounds and if that is sound 2.) Return your unit for another. It is not operating correctly.

 

Thanks for the help. I’ve been in contact with the company and i believe it is a defect.

 

See i believed that was a separate issue until I narrowed it down to the head unit. I had no idea a head unit could affect the key fob.

 

They are certainly NOT supposed to! Good job of troubleshooting.