Improving Sprinter key fob range

For such a big van, the Sprinter has terrible key fob reception for locking and unlocking the doors. Most of the time, you have to be within 20 feet of the vehicle for the remote control to work.

There are a couple of things you can do to improve reception though.

First, let’s look at how the fob works. The fob contains an RFID type chip, an infrared window, and a radio frequency transmitter.

  • The RFID chip is used when you put the key in the ignition to let the van know that the key is legitimate.
  • The infrared transmitter is not used on the North American Sprinter.
  • The radio frequency transmitter sends a coded command to the van to lock or unlock the doors.

There are three main things that affect fob range. Battery power in the fob, how much stuff is between you and the receiver in the van, and (surprisingly) whether you hold the button down long enough.

Don’t keep the fob in a place where the buttons can be pressed down

If you keep your key fob in your pocket or in a bag where the buttons can be pressed, that will wear the fob battery down faster. Each time you press the button the radio frequency transmitter sends a signal. That takes power. As the battery wears down, the amount of power it can provide is reduced, so fob range is reduced too.

The Sprinter fob batteries are easy enough to replace. First make sure the key is in the open/released position. Then you can gently pry the lower part of the back of the case off, starting from the side where the key folds away. The fob takes two CR2025 3v lithium batteries.

Replacing the sprinter key fob batteries - the cover pries off and there are two CR2025 batteries inside.
Replacing the sprinter key fob batteries – the cover pries off and there are two CR2025 batteries inside.

Have clear line of sight to the receiver in the van

The remote control receiver antenna for the key fob is behind the instrument cluster inside the dash. It has nothing to do with the radio antenna on the front of the vehicle. Otherwise, how would FedEx’s trucks lock, considering they don’t have radio antennae?

Remember that reception isn’t linear. Being two times the distance from the van doesn’t reduce the signal by half, it reduces it by four times (square of the distance). Getting even a little closer will greatly improve reception.

If you’ve added insulation – especially sound deadening butyl, Reflectix, Low-E, mylar foil covered window shades, or other foil-faced products – then you’ve added a layer of radio frequency protection too. Just like wearing a foil hat to stop the government from messing with your mind, the foil lining in your van will stop the fob from messing with the receiver.

Interestingly, some locations we stop at seem to consistently have terrible fob reception. They tend to be close to cell towers. When we have our cell phone booster on, that seems to reduce our remote distance too. We’re wondering if there’s some issue with the receiver being overwhelmed with signals on a similar frequency to the fob, so it can’t “hear” the fob so well.

Push the fob button for longer

Pushing the button harder won’t make any difference, even if it makes you feel better. Under that button cover, it’s just an on/off switch. However, if you are having problems with your fob, try pushing the button for a longer period of time. It often needs a longer push rather than just a short tap.

The fob has to transmit quite a lot of information to the van. It has to identify itself with a security code, and then send the lock/unlock command. Theoretically this should only take a fraction of a second, but we’ve found that longer presses really help. The van might not get the full message first time, and pressing the button for longer repeats the message.

The nuclear option – buy an aftermarket system

Personally, I wouldn’t want to mess with the van’s security system. First, adding any other way of unlocking the doors increases the attack surface for bad people who want to get in to your van. Second, adding anything aftermarket to Mercedes’ electrical system has a high likelihood of ending in tears.

However, there are aftermarket alarm and remote start systems that have very nice two-way remote control fobs or even smartphone control that are designed to integrate with the Sprinter. Compustar and Viper are two brands whose names pop up regularly. Both offer systems with over one mile of range.

The manual option – key in door

This issue is annoying, yes, and you’d really think that Mercedes could engineer a remote control that worked reliably at more than 20 feet. But ultimately it’s a first-world type problem. There’s always the possibility of unlocking the door using the piece of metal attached to that plastic fob.

You know, manually unlocking is always an option.
You know, manually unlocking is always an option.

9 Replies to “Improving Sprinter key fob range”

  1. These mercedes sprinter vans are crap.
    I drive a diesel version of this POS.
    The tank size/ fuel range sucks.
    The key fob range makes me want to open the van up with a grenade.
    The seats feel like your driving with a board strapped your back
    It sucks in the snow…the piece of crap will literally not drive in a light snow uphill.
    Scary stupid. **my experience was not due to the $500 a piece tires being worn out.
    Total Junk and mercedes should be ashamed they slapped their logo on this monstrosity.
    Our well qualified US military trained diesel mechanic can’t fully access their diagnostics which forces him to have anything other than routine maintenance be performed by an authorized mercedes benz dealer.
    I’m just glad I didn’t have to pay for this turd.
    But I’ll be stuck in it till it dies. Which unfortunately I have a bad feeling longevity will be its only good quality.
    Lol… (insert crying emoji here)

    1. YEAH, MAN! Mines in somewhat bad shape at 600,000+ miles. WTH? I should have a perfect van until one million miles.

      JK… Get a life, loser. That’s no $#!t. SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND MILES!!! Had to put an exhaust on it and catch a lot of rust. SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND!

    1. About three years ago (?) a PDF that was circulated to dealers appeared on the Sprinter forum. It showed how to change the orientation of an antenna in the dash area to improve range. But I can’t find it now by searching the forum, and I apparently didn’t download it.

      Other sources suggest the antennae are in the driver’s door and sliding door. There are lots of rumors out there. A dealer should be able to pull up the service bulletin or whatever else it was. I’d trust that document as the definitive source.

  2. Here is a link to a Sprinter Forum DIY in the NCV Write-ups section: https://sprinter-source.com/forums/index.php?threads/62316/

    The title is “Relocate transmitter antenna wire DIY” – it might have been hard to find if you were searching for something more like “Relocate receiver antenna wire DIY”.

    Someone has made a YouTube video as well, mentioned in this Sprinter Forum thread: https://sprinter-source.com/forums/index.php?threads/94296/.

    1. Yes, I moved the antenna in my 2018 Sprinter using these instructions. The hardest part is finding and freeing the antenna from under the dash. It helps, but it’s not a spectacular range improvement. I think it maybe doubled what I had before.

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