Re-engineering the brick (keyfob)

[Benbean66]

I thought I remembered someone on here asking for pictures of the circuit board from a non-keyless Sport key fob.

Also, I experimented and took the keyfob out to the JT without the circuit board in it, and it starts, but only when I held the transponder chip end (pointed out in the 3rd picture) right up to the pushbutton. So I'm assuming that the battery and circuit board act as a range extender, allowing you to keep the fob in your pocket and start the JT. I was really hoping to eliminate the whole fob thing, but the only way I can see to do that is to have the transponder chip surgically implanted into my index finger...

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[Lucky1]

I thought I remembered someone on here asking for pictures of the circuit board from a non-keyless Sport key fob.

Also, I experimented and took the keyfob out to the JT without the circuit board in it, and it starts, but only when I held the transponder chip end (pointed out in the 3rd picture) right up to the pushbutton. So I'm assuming that the battery and circuit board act as a range extender, allowing you to keep the fob in your pocket and start the JT. I was really hoping to eliminate the whole fob thing, but the only way I can see to do that is to have the transponder chip surgically implanted into my index finger...

That would be a pretty cool option if it could be done! Kinda like "iron man".

 

[Benbean66]

That would be a pretty cool option if it could be done! Kinda like "iron man".

Yeah it would. And you'd never have to be worried about losing your keys. Whether it was a rumor or not, I heard about a company that was doing that with it's employees. As they would walk thru the door, a scanner would "punch them in" and then back out as they left thru that same scanner.

 

[Fixerupper]

Signed up for 4 button beta. Suggested glow in the dark scheme for the dropped fob in the dark Situation.

 

[mazeppa]

<snip>

I was really hoping to eliminate the whole fob thing, but the only way I can see to do that is to have the transponder chip surgically implanted into my index finger...

<snip>

Get a key blank cut and glue the transponder chip to it.

https://www.americankeysupply.com/product/jeep-fiat-transponder-key-shell-jma-fi-16-p-1766

@Benbean66
Just curious, did you try starting only with the control board with a battery installed without the transponder chip in proximity of the Jeep?

 

[Benbean66]

Get a key blank cut and glue the transponder chip to it.

https://www.americankeysupply.com/product/jeep-fiat-transponder-key-shell-jma-fi-16-p-1766

@Benbean66
Just curious, did you try starting only with the control board with a battery installed without the transponder chip in proximity of the Jeep?

No, I only tried it with the transponder chip near the start button, while the circuit board was still in the house. I'm 99.9% sure it wouldn't do anything without the transponder chip present. The circuit board is merely a range extender for the chip. I can try it once I get home. For science, of course.

 

[DC3]

The transponder chip is not necessary to start the jeep. Its essentially a passive RFID chip in the event the fob battery fails. Since the RFID is passive it requires very close proximity to the sensor.

The jeep will start with just one or the other.

 

[SwampNut]

The circuit board is merely a range extender for the chip.

No, not at all, they are two totally different circuits and each can work without the other. I have a pile of NFC/RFID chips on my desk right now for a project, and have an NFC 14443 chip embedded in my hand. I've got a little experience with it. The close-range chip is an old-style passive RFID, which needs no power. Or more precisely, gets power inductively from the Jeep, which means being very close to the reader. The other circuit is an active system that requires power. It's able to provide far more range along with very good location/proximity detection. For example it knows if you're standing by the door or not, and decide whether to let you unlock it. You can start the Jeep with the key JUST inside the door, but not just outside the door. My wife's car will not let someone open the trunk if the person with the key is standing by the door instead of behind the vehicle.

 

[mountainpass]

I thought I remembered someone on here asking for pictures of the circuit board from a non-keyless Sport key fob.

Also, I experimented and took the keyfob out to the JT without the circuit board in it, and it starts, but only when I held the transponder chip end (pointed out in the 3rd picture) right up to the pushbutton. So I'm assuming that the battery and circuit board act as a range extender, allowing you to keep the fob in your pocket and start the JT. I was really hoping to eliminate the whole fob thing, but the only way I can see to do that is to have the transponder chip surgically implanted into my index finger...

This makes me want to get a lucky rabbits foot for a keyring and insert the tiny thing in said foot. Unlock door with key then jump in and push the button with rabbits foot.

 

[Benbean66]

This makes me want to get a lucky rabbits foot for a keyring and insert the tiny thing in said foot. Unlock door with key then jump in and push the button with rabbits foot.

That would work

 

[Benbean66]

No, not at all, they are two totally different circuits and each can work without the other. I have a pile of NFC/RFID chips on my desk right now for a project, and have an NFC 14443 chip embedded in my hand. I've got a little experience with it. The close-range chip is an old-style passive RFID, which needs no power. Or more precisely, gets power inductively from the Jeep, which means being very close to the reader. The other circuit is an active system that requires power. It's able to provide far more range along with very good location/proximity detection. For example it knows if you're standing by the door or not, and decide whether to let you unlock it. You can start the Jeep with the key JUST inside the door, but not just outside the door. My wife's car will not let someone open the trunk if the person with the key is standing by the door instead of behind the vehicle.

I stand corrected. My apologies.

 

[jalbrecht55]

Thank you for posting the photos of the no-buttons PCB. Darn I was hoping it would be smaller.

If you wanted to create a new mini key or key with the RFID chip only, how do you buy and program these?

 

[mazeppa]

Thank you for posting the photos of the no-buttons PCB. Darn I was hoping it would be smaller.

If you wanted to create a new mini key or key with the RFID chip only, how do you buy and program these?

If you get a new or replacement fob from Jeep, the dealer needs all of your current fobs and the new fob to program the new fob and reprogram the old fob(s). Not sure if locksmiths have the equipment to program the current Jeep fobs, also don't know if the transponder chip in the existing fobs need reprogrammed while the new transponder chip will need programed by the dealer.

 

[mazeppa]

The jeep will start with just one or the other.

Thanks, I was assuming only one or the other would start the Jeep.

 

[FishChowder]

Ok, it's late, I'm tired and the inspiration I drew from my kids' car seat buckle for two-piece fob turned into something that resembles a beetle but I need sleep. Thanks to member @JonRJackson 's awesome hand made Gladius design for the finishing touch (we can share the profits from the fob...ha). Anyway, forgive the sloppy photoshopping. The idea of the curved areas where the key gets released would double, of course, as a bottle opener when the key is separated from the fob for use. The car seat release is probably far more secure than the current button that everyone complains about.

In theory, there should be room for the key to slide in under the cicuit board and battery in its own sealed off section. The buttons may have to slide up to make room for the battery. But i will leave that up to someone smarter than me to figure out.

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