2012 ram 1500 key fob not working

Q: How do I reset my Dodge Ram key fob?

Hold the unlock” button on your key fob for 10 seconds until you hear silence. As you stop holding down the unlock” button, press the panic” button. You will hear an audible chime if you successfully pull off this transition. Simply press any button on the key fob, and the resetting process should conclude.

Q: Why does my Dodge key fob not work?

Like many other key fobs, a Dodge Rams key fob may stop working for several reasons. These include: Low or dead key fob battery. Key fob needs resetting or reprogramming.

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How do I reset my Dodge Ram key fob?
Why did my key fob suddenly stopped working?
Why does my Dodge key fob not work?
Why does my key fob not work after replacing battery?

Joined Jan 28, 2012

59 Posts

Discussion Starter · #1 · Feb 14, 2012

My key fob hasn't had any issues until now. Over the past week it has gotten worse and worse and now it doesn't work at all. So i went to Wally world and purchased 2 CR2032's. I replaced it and still nothing? I even cleaned the contacts, i'm stuck...:3-angry1:

Joined Aug 25, 2010

3,666 Posts

Try slightly bending the contact points in before putting the batteries in, I find that over time most key fobs contact points stretch out. If that doesn't work then it may not be the batteries. I know on older chrysler fobs if the battery gets low enough it will reset the programming for the truck.

Joined Dec 9, 2009

32,794 Posts

If you have the FOB with the remote start button, try starting your '09, using the FOB
or hit the Panic button instead

I had to do that a time or 2
most of the time i click the Lock button a time or 2, then hit the Unlock button

I have noticed that when i stand near to the drivers door, the FOB doesn't work as well as when i stand at the rear passenger side tail light
don't ask me why

Joined Oct 5, 2010

10 Posts

My key fob hasn't had any issues until now. Over the past week it has gotten worse and worse and now it doesn't work at all. So i went to Wally world and purchased 2 CR2032's. I replaced it and still nothing? I even cleaned the contacts, i'm stuck...:3-angry1:

I had the same issue.... Simple fix like moparornocar said. Just pop the remote case apart and bend the four prongs that touch the battery up slightly (mine were laying flat to the circut board) and snap case back together. Works like new now.

Twice now my truck has stranded me, drive somewhere, get out go to lock the door by pushing the handle, nothing, take out the key fob, hit lock, nothing. First time I called roadside they took it to the dealer it wouldn't start after waiting on them for an hour and a half. Took it to the dealer of course there's no codes told me to keep the key out of my pocket. Why would I have an option to not have to take the key out of my pocket that to stop it from screwing up I need to take it out of my pocket. Needless to say they update some stuff after sitting at the dealer for two days. That was a month and a half ago. Today go to the store hop out, hit lock on the handle nothing. Open the door try starting it, "key fob not detected" try it again it starts, shut it off, hit lock nothing. The fob locked it after I mashed on the button for about 30 seconds. Go into the store come back out, 15 min later nothing, pull on the handle several times nothing key fob eventually works after mashing on it again. get in, "key fob not detected" try it again starts. Went right home shut it off locks like normal.

Before anyone asks : yes I changed the battery after it went to the dealer, no my phone isn't in the same pocket, the key stays in my left pocket not my right where the apparent "dead spot" is.

My girlfriends jeep is a 2012 and the key fob batteries never been changed never had a problem. So what I'm asking is has anyone had anything changed out successfully to fix this issue and not just steered off. Both times its done this now the day before I was in the bush with a trailer and quads, had it done it that day it would be a different story.

And for the record its a 2014, first time had 36000 km, today it has 41000. Owned the truck from new.

Any help is appreciated because its going back in and not coming out until they fix it if it leaves me stranded again I'll buy a bus pass and sell it.

When you come in to get a new RAM truck from us at Montgomery Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram , you're going to get a RAM key fob with it. Now, we all know what a key fob is and what it looks like. It's not a new invention, after all, having been created in the 1980s. Since then, and even in the past decade alone, the capability of the key fob has come an incredibly long way. Your RAM key fob can do more than you might realize — keep reading to learn every capability of your RAMs key fob.

Key Fob | How To | 2021 Ram Chassis Cab

RAM 1500 Key Fob Capabilities

1. Lock/Unlock Feature

The Keyless Enter 'n Go feature of your model ramps up the convenience that's delivered to you by your RAM key fob. You can lock or unlock your doors and also your tailgate, including the liftgate, swing gate and trunk. Plus, you can roll down or roll up your model’s windows without fully starting the vehicle! Press the engine start button once without pressing the brakes. This will allow your car to enter the “ACC,” or accessory mode. Access your windshield wipers and windows all at the push of a button!

2. Remote Start Feature

If your RAM is equipped with remote start, you can start or shut down the engine from up to 300 feet away from the vehicle. Simply push and release the remote start button (x2 with a circle) on the key fob twice within five seconds. You’ll hear your vehicle’s engine start immediately, and it’ll continue running for 15 minutes before shutting down. How can you manually shut off your engine without waiting for the 15-minute cycle to end? Push the button a third time.

3. Infotainment Feature

With your key fob, enter the ACC mode to access your vehicle’s radio! If you press the engine start button an additional time, you'll enter the "Run" mode, wherein you can access the instrument cluster and climate control system.

Key Fob Battery Replacement | How To | 2021 Ram 1500 DT

FAQs About the RAM 1500 Key Fob

If your key fob has an issue and it's not working properly, you likely just need to reprogram it. Lucky you for, RAM 1500 key fob programming is quite easy. Just follow these steps below!

Without pressing the brakes, hit the engine start button until it is in "Run" mode.
Once the chimes in your truck stop, press and hold the "Unlock" button on your RAM 1500 key fob for 10 seconds. Release.
As you're releasing the "Unlock" button, press and release the "Panic" key.
Once you hear a chime, press the button(s) that you need to reprogram.
Turn your ignition off to end programming.

As we mentioned, you can access your window controls and even windshield wiper and radio controls by clicking the start engine button until it's in "ACC," or accessory mode.

In the back of your key fob, you can open a compartment that holds a traditional key. Take that key out and unlock your vehicle the old fashioned way. Then, take the bottom end of the key and hold it against the engine ignition button, press the brakes and press the button with the key. Your truck will recognize the key and start up!

This is the same process as when you need to start it without your key fob. Get the regular key out of the back of the fob, press it against the ignition, press the brake and you're good to go! You can also replace your key fob battery and use the fob.

The price to replace your key fob can range between $500 to $600, depending on which RAM model/trim you own. If you just need a new key fob battery or a RAM 1500 key fob cover, those will naturally cost a lot less, and you likely won't pay any more than about $40 for both items together.

Montgomery CDJR Near Lexington is Here for You

Key fobs have made the driving life a lot more convenient. However, they can come with issues if you're unsure of how to operate them when their batteries die or need reprogramming. Thanks to Montgomery CDJR in Nicholasville, KY, you can now drive with the confidence that, if something does go wrong, you'll have no problem fixing it.

And if things don't resolve themselves like you hoped they would, you're always welcome to come to our location at 1010 Elizabeth Street, Nicholasville, KY 40356 where our service experts can diagnose and fix the issue for you. We look forward to serving our customers from Lexington, Danville, Versailles and Frankfort!

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How do I reset my Dodge Ram key fob?

Hold the “unlock” button on your key fob for 10 seconds until you hear silence. As you stop holding down the “unlock” button, press the “panic” button. You will hear an audible chime if you successfully pull off this transition. Simply press any button on the key fob, and the resetting process should conclude.

Why did my key fob suddenly stopped working?

Dead key fob battery A bad battery in the key fob is most commonly the reason for a failure to send signals to the keyless entry system. If it is available, use the spare key fob to open the vehicle and start the ignition. If the spare fob is not available, use the provided key embedded in the fob to unlock the door.

Why does my Dodge key fob not work?

Like many other key fobs, a Dodge Ram's key fob may stop working for several reasons. These include: Low or dead key fob battery. Key fob needs resetting or reprogramming.

Why does my key fob not work after replacing battery?

For your remote key fob to work properly, it has to be connected to a receiver in the vehicle. When the battery in the fob is replaced, it can sometimes interfere with the paired connection between key and car, in which case you'll need to reset it.