The keyless entry on my 98 Silverado has stopped working. I changed the batteries in the key fob transmitter (twice, just to make sure) but it still doesn't work. It has seemed like over the past couple of years its range has been decreasing, but I just thought that meant the battery was weak.

Can I troubleshoot this thing at all? Can I get a new transmitter and have it coded to work with my truck? Would it be worth it? I can replace it with and aftermarket system for $50-$60, and have it done in a couple of hours, I've installed them several times.

This is the old-style keyless entry. It doesn't have a panic button (thank god) and it doesn't arm a security system.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Paul the factory transmitters run between $50 and $80 depending on the discount your dealer gives you. When you reprogram one it generally renders all the others useless unless you keep the truck in program mode and do both. Have you added anything inside the truck? Somewhere in the dash is a thin wire to pick up the signal from the remote unit. Installing aftermarket sound equipment can sometimes interfer with the signal.

I haven't installed anything electrical in the truck. Sounds like you think it's the transmitter that is most likely the problem?

Where is the reciever located? Maybe I could check it to make sure the antenna is ok and it has power.

According to my 96 service manual the reciever module is attached to the steering column support bracket it is held on by 2 plastic retainers. Apparently they don't use the antenna wire anymore. If you have access to a fax machine I can copy the 2 pages out of the manual and send them to you Monday. It has a troubleshooting section and reprogramming instructions.

Phillip,

You have mail.

got it. I'll send them in the morning.

Just in case anybody ever searches for the solution.

I took the transmitter apart and cleaned all the contacts with rubbing alcohol. This included the battery contacts and the button contacts. It works great now.

An Phillip did fax me the pages from the manual, which I am very grateful for. smile.gif