Keypad install -- Radio reception suffering now.

[Buckbull]

I still had something like 20,000 ford points when i bought my truck in 2023 and they were about to expire. I opted to buy the keypad from the ford accessories website. Thought it would be good to have something other than the phone app to lock/unlock the truck. I sometimes have to leave my dog in the truck and leave the truck running. Part of the purchase was installation; it needs synced to the truck by a technician. Dealership installed the keypad yesterday and I noticed that my OEM antennae was part of the paperwork, etc. i was given. I didn't realize that an antennae swap would be needed. On my way home my radio starting having bad reception when I was about 15 miles away. Multiple stations. I live in a very rural area where reception (cell or radio) is a struggle. The new antennae is not as good as the OEM one. I had bought a stubby antennae when i first bought the ranger and had to go back to the OEM because of a reception issue. I assume the new antennae is used to support the keypad. Does it have to be a choice: keypad or radio? Wondering if there is a solution whereby both keypad and radio work?

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[DukeCanBuildit]

I think the antenna might be the door lock antenna behind a trim panel - Google the part number the dealer listed on the work order to confirm.

I recall reading that somewhere but I could be way off.

EDIT: I was thinking of the intelligent access antenna

 

[airline tech]

Unless this is another Keypad, the standard wireless keypad just adheres to the door etc, and its a wireless (RF) Frequency (same as the FOB) and operates the same as the FOB (Unlock Button)

It communicates to the Radio Transceiver Module - RTM , the same as the FOB
The RTM has is own internal antenna so it has nothing to do with the Shark Fin Antenna, the only thing that is different is a possible (RFI) Radio Frequency Interference

 

[SouthValleyMustangLLC]

Yeah sounds like some “ever since ya” kicking in. The two are not interconnected.

 

[Buckbull]

If they aren't connected why would the technician remove it?

 

[RangerBill]

I still had something like 20,000 ford points when i bought my truck in 2023 and they were about to expire. I opted to buy the keypad from the ford accessories website. Thought it would be good to have something other than the phone app to lock/unlock the truck. I sometimes have to leave my dog in the truck and leave the truck running. Part of the purchase was installation; it needs synced to the truck by a technician. Dealership installed the keypad yesterday and I noticed that my OEM antennae was part of the paperwork, etc. i was given. I didn't realize that an antennae swap would be needed. On my way home my radio starting having bad reception when I was about 15 miles away. Multiple stations. I live in a very rural area where reception (cell or radio) is a struggle. The new antennae is not as good as the OEM one. I had bought a stubby antennae when i first bought the ranger and had to go back to the OEM because of a reception issue. I assume the new antennae is used to support the keypad. Does it have to be a choice: keypad or radio? Wondering if there is a solution whereby both keypad and radio work?

The Ford Accessories web site states no wiring required. Not sure why the dealer changed out an antenna. The genuine Ford keypad doesn't require an antenna change, according to their web page.

 

[Buckbull]

The Ford Accessories web site states no wiring required. Not sure why the dealer changed out an antenna. The genuine Ford keypad doesn't require an antenna change, according to their web page.

Yeah. I know it's wireless. They only programmed they keypad. I actually stuck it on the truck when I got home. Il call dealership and figure this out.

 

[airline tech]

What is the Part Number of the Antenna on the work order?

The keypad itself is an Antenna? As well

 

[Buckbull]

What is the Part Number of the Antenna on the work order?

The keypad itself is an Antenna? As well

Part Number: KB3Z14A626B

 

[SDXLT]

That’s the keypad part number. Can confirm that there is no antenna for the keypad install as my dealership did mine while I watched. It is only to pair the keypad to the truck. If they charged you for some sort of antenna they are doing something fishy. Does the antenna on the truck roof look different?

 

[airline tech]

Questions,

Do your other vehicles experience the same radio reception issues as the Ranger?
Since you only said (Radio Reception) - Is this local radio (FM) or (SAT) or Both?
Do you have the same issues after install of the keypad (Mounting)?
Did you have the reception issues from the start (before swapping in stubby) are resorting back to the OE antenna?


I actually think you have a Antenna or Antenna Cable issue and the addition of the keypad only enhanced the issue and made it more notable.

Look at this related previous thread on the reception issue with the added knowledge that the Antenna Cable (part of its routing anyways) runs above the headliner and that the RTM also is mounted above the headliner more precisely above the drivers head.

The are multiple connections between the (SYNC/ACM) modules and the actual shark fin antenna as well as the (TCU) - Thus multiple points of possible failure.

2023 with Poor FM and virtually no AM Radio | 2019+ Ford Ranger and Raptor Forum (5th Generation) - Ranger5G.com

Here are pics of some of those connections:

I dove into this awhile back to get a better understanding of the antenna cable runs as the manuals are not (Clear & Precise) for this (Blue Connector vs Black Connector) what is each feeding? Radio (AM/FM or GPS/SAT) as well as the (TCU)

I think the Blue = Radio & GPS -- The Black = Cellular


RH A-Pillar, shown is the Headliner Antenna Run

The Lower Antenna Cable Run - Here, is the confusing part for me, as the manuals show the only antenna cable run back to the shark fin is above the headliner and the bottom side of that dark blue connection runs along the passenger side door sill and since I did not open it up all the way, I think it runs - Upwards and ties into the Headliner Run - behind the loudspace panel on the backseat.

I still need to dig into that run and verify what it is feeding.

Here is a basic routing from the manuals.
This is the antenna cable assembly that routes along the headliner and it is attached to the headliner.

So 2 connectors on the A-Pillar - Headliner Run -Then The Rear Antenna Cable Connection Point

So the Headliner Run (Center Antenna Cable Run) drops down and connects here.
This is where I am confused on the (Antenna Run- Ref above pic for the RH-Kick Panel)
Without pulling the trim panels off - I am not 100% certain what it actually feeds as the diagrams do not show any upwards run from the bottom @ this connection point.

Anyway I know all the basic connections and have listed them, there are more inside the dash and I plan on investigating the unknown run (Where it Feeds?)

EDIT:

This is where I THINK the RH Kick Panel (Lower Run Routes)
The pic is not clear enough to tell

As its not feeding the Rear PATS Antenna or the Rear Console USBs (if it were USB Cable) and even then the rears are strictly power feed (charging only)the USB cable is a short run for the rear between the connection ports and the power module.
The blue connector in the lower right = A2B Cable run to the DSP (AMP), this is the digital audio signal to the amp.
The only logical thing would be the shark fin antenna

 

[Buckbull]

Mystery solved. They took the truck to the car wash and removed the antennae and never put it back on. Must of said screw this guy when I turned down the $70 air cabin filter. That's a crappy thing for a dealership to do.

 

[airline tech]

Good Quick Find/Fix - But still if the Ranger has had poorer reception over other vehicles then it still might be a Antenna Cable or Antenna issue from the beginning.
Granted - I am only looking at comparison to other vehicles in your area, if the Ranger is much worse.

I have no Radio reception issues, but however under awnings and some garages I have SAT drop outs, plus I have (1) spot, the exact same spot on the road I travel to work, the SAT drops out for about 3 seconds and then returns - (Back Country Road)

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Mystery solved. They took the truck to the car wash and removed the antennae and never put it back on. Must of said screw this guy when I turned down the $70 air cabin filter. That's a crappy thing for a dealership to do.

Reminds me of Karl…

 

[svogt302]

I did not get a replacement radio antenna.
My radio works fine before & after install.

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