RFK 942 antenna not recognized by Flashlink 4 and Intermittent key fob operation

Question

I've just installed a Evo All and RFK 942 on my 2015 GMC Sierra. No issues at all during install or programming and the system is working (sort of). The problem I'm having is this: intermittently the unit does not seem to receive commands from the remotes and/or no confirmation is sent back to the remotes. About 1/2 the time when pressing a button on the remote, I get the multiple blue LED flashes followed by the red LED and the beep indicating out of range. Or the vehicle responds but the key fob does not confirm it (no beeps or LED flashes on the key fob). It happens with both key fobs and distance from the vehicle does not matter. I can be 6 feet from the truck or 200 feet - same result (I haven't tried from any further away yet). I was thinking maybe there's an issue with the antenna and then I realized that the antenna firmware can be updated. I connected the antenna to the Flashlink 4 and it does not detect it. Does this confirm that the antenna is bad? Or am I doing something wrong?

Just for context, I'm a professional Automotive Technician at a GM dealership and have some experience installing remote start systems. This is the first Fortin system that I've worked with.

 

Edit: I tried again and managed to connect the Flashlink to the antenna. The antenna firmware is already up to date.

Answer 1

Hello,

 

Even though it tells you its at 1.05 please re flash it anyway.

 

Once that is done re program the remote to the module in the vehicle and re test.

 

Best regards.

Comments

Ok so I tried to connect again in order to re flash it. It will not connect. Once during the detection phase it siad connected for a split second but then lost it. I tried a dozen times.

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Before plugging in the unit click on configuration icon in the upper left hand corner then click special unit. You should hear an audible click from the FLU, then plug in the antenna.

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Ok so I tried that and the antenna connects now. I flashed the antenna to 1.04 then back to 1.05

Next I programmed the transmitters to the module again as you suggested.

No change. The symptoms are still the same.

I also reset and reflashed the EVO All to see if that made any difference. It did not.

After playing with it some more, it seems the feature that is affected most is the status request. If I press the auxiliary button twice for a status request, it works once. If I try again it does not. Also If i try any other command afterwards, the vehicle usually responds but no confirmation is sent to the remote. If I try a command again, it usually works.

Edit: I've found that if the vehicle is running via remote start, the issues do not happen - I can do as many status requests in a row as I want and it works properly, other commands also work properly after a status request.

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Before suggesting trying another rf kit, please provide the SN number to the evo I just want to ensure the evo is configured as it should be.

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The serial number of the EVO is: 001A07 393072

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Under special functions please turn off E2 click save and then re test.

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Ok I went in and turned off E2. No change. Symptoms are exactly the same.

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Alright, if its intermitently working  I would suggest contacting your point of purchase to iqniure about warranty and exchange policies and see were they want to go from there.

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Ok, would you recommned replacing the EVO or the RF kit first?

My gut tells me its more likely to be the EVO but I'm no expert on these systems.

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I would try a different rf kit (antenna, cable and remotes).

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So the retailer that I purchased the unit from is the dealership that I work at. We don't sell these often.

Could you perhaps email me with instructions as to how our parts dept. can go about submitting a warranty claim?

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Your parts deptartment would call/contact whoever they ordered the parts from to inquire about warranty/exchanges.

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Ok so after a long wait, I recieved a new RFK 942 kit today. I installed the entire kit and programmed the new fobs to it.

The symptoms are exactly the same. Status request works once.  If I try again it does not. Also If i try any other command afterwards, the vehicle usually responds but no confirmation is sent to the remote. If I try a command again, it usually works.

If the vehicle is running (under remote start or when started with the key), all functions work properly every time. I can do 10 status requests in a row and it works every time. 

Edit: I've also found that all functions work OK even if the ignition key is on without the engine running.

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UPDATE:

I had a sneaking suspicion that it might be a firmware issue. The EVO ALL had the latest firmware installed (70.46). I tried installing earlier firmware versions (backdating one version at a time). I found that everything works properly with firmware version 70.39. Any firmware newer than that causes the issue. It seems there must be some error in firmware versions 70.40 and newer that is causing this issue with the status update feature.

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Stephen thanks for the update. I have reported your update to developement.

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Just one more update to this: The RAP (retained accessory power) was staying active after shutdown or timeout with the remote start. The radio and cluster would stay alive and the power windows could be rolled up and down for 10 minutes after a shutdown event until a door was opened. Not a huge issue but not ideal either.

So I went in and looked at the settings today. Option D7 - RAP disable was turned ON. I would assume that this would mean the unit would kill the RAP after shutdown but it does not. I turned Option D7 - RAP disable OFF and now the unit kills the RAP after a shutdown like it should.

Hope this helps someone

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Thanks Stephen. The wording of the option may be confusing, but yes, if option D7 is turned ON, it will disable the RAP functions of the EVO (so RAP on the vehicle will stay active after shutdown). Option D7 needs to stay OFF to shutdown the RAP on the car.