Info on Renix Keyless Entry/Gen 4 Camaro keyless

[eaglescout526]

Hunting down a coveted Renix keyless entry system. I know, not common place to find but never know. Ive been looking at some keyless entry kits and I found a cheap one, but I figured I'd ask around before dropping $20 on the kit to make it fit in the OEM housing.

[Pete M]

is this the weird little smoked dome I see in the ceiling of some XJs? 

[eaglescout526]

Kind of. The smoked dome I learned is the 97-01 style that is actually tied to the ECU. 

[youngfred]

21 hours ago, eaglescout526 said:

Hunting down a coveted Renix keyless entry system. I know, not common place to find but never know. Ive been looking at some keyless entry kits and I found a cheap one, but I figured I'd ask around before dropping $20 on the kit to make it fit in the OEM housing.

 

...

 

 

This one is out of a 96 XJ.

I lucked-out cause the PO had the Key Fob for

this Overhead Console.

 

You need the Key Fob to test the circuit board

behind the Smoked Dome and the Key Fob,

is price-restrictive.

 

 

 

My 95 XJ below, has the OEM Keyless Entry but I did not have the

Key Fob, so I was able to get the OEM to work, by using

the one that came with the overhead console.

 

Because of Tinted Windows, you have to aim the Fob

at window level and aim at the dome, in order for the OEM to work.

 

 

 

 

~

 

 

I am installing this one in my  MJ.

 

Just a simple, 5--wire install.

 

A lot stronger that OEM and about

the cost of an OEM Key Fob.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

youngfred

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Dzimm]

4 hours ago, eaglescout526 said:

Kind of. The smoked dome I learned is the 97-01 style that is actually tied to the ECU. 

What do you mean by "tied to the ecu?"  My 97+ truck has keyless entry from a different Jeep than the ecu came from.

[eaglescout526]

45 minutes ago, Dzimm said:

What do you mean by "tied to the ecu?"

I thought that by 97, Chrysler was tying more things into the ECU such as keyless entry, I know it was still an option at the time but forgive me, I have never owned anything newer than '92.

[Dzimm]

1 hour ago, eaglescout526 said:

I thought that by 97, Chrysler was tying more things into the ECU such as keyless entry, I know it was still an option at the time but forgive me, I have never owned anything newer than '92.

I'm sure there was plenty more tied to the ecu at that point.  I'm not exactly sure how the options work but I believe all 97+ XJs with power windows and locks should have the wiring for keyless entry.  As far as I can tell it's a matter of adding the overhead module with the correct keyfob.  

 

Don't worry, it's hard to know everything about each version of the XJ/MJ.  I personally know Jack about the Renix system.

[Minuit]

The infrared keyless system was used up to 96. It SUCKS. Range is crap and your remote must have line of sight to the dome on the headliner to be able to do anything. If anything is in the way it won't work. It tells your truck to lock or unlock by flashing an infrared LED.

 

The system in the 97+ XJ is a radio frequency (RF) system, but as far as I know the remotes must be programmed to the keyless receiver by a dealer. Pretty sure you can install a matched receiver + remote into another vehicle without any programming, but not 100% sure.

 

The connectors and remotes for the IR system changed a few times in there if I'm not mistaken. Also, the OEM remotes are stupidly expensive. I considered adding it to my 91 for novelty reasons. Talking to people who've used the original system (and having its limitations demonstrated in person) changed my mind in a hurry. I currently have a $18 kit from Amazon in my truck, which has worked great.

 

Once the weather cools down in TN I'll be wiring in the overhead console and hiding a slightly modified keyless module from a '94 Camaro in there, because that's an RF system with good range, lets me use an OEM looking Chrysler remote, and programming the remote is a simple matter of "short two wires together, push button on remote".

[eaglescout526]

Thanks Minuit. I’m only more looking for this system to get an idea on what it all looks like together. I’m currently shopping around for a kit and I would actually like the kit to fit into the OEM visor hook housing. Now for that $18 kit would you mind linking me to it? 

Also since you’re planning on using a GM set up, would it be better to hunt down some 90’s GM keyless entry stuff or no?

[Minuit]

1 hour ago, eaglescout526 said:

Thanks Minuit. I’m only more looking for this system to get an idea on what it all looks like together. I’m currently shopping around for a kit and I would actually like the kit to fit into the OEM visor hook housing. Now for that $18 kit would you mind linking me to it? 

Also since you’re planning on using a GM set up, would it be better to hunt down some 90’s GM keyless entry stuff or no?

Cheapo kit: https://www.amazon.com/Docooler-Central-Locking-Keyless-Controllers/dp/B006QH9C5A/ref=sr_1_8?dchild=1&keywords=car+keyless+entry&qid=1598163913&sr=8-8

 

Looks like it's only $16 now. Anyway, it's worked fine for years and the range is pretty good. Big limitations: the instructions are literally useless. The remotes look cheap, and you have to unlock before you lock again. So if you get out of the truck and use the switch on the door to lock the doors, you have to push the lock button on the remote before you can actually unlock the doors.

 

I guess I should probably back up and explain a little more of what I'm planning to do.

 

Background: I swapped power windows, locks, and mirrors into my truck using '91 wiring. Not only is this "factory correct" but the wiring diagrams in my 91 FSM also match what's actually in my truck. I will soon be adding the overhead console to it, and I'll be sorta-kinda replicating the factory installation by hiding the keyless entry module in the overhead console. But I'll be using an actually useful module out of a 93-95 Camaro.

 

All the keyless entry module really does is trigger the lock and unlock relays, so the specifics of what module you use really doesn't matter. All I really wanted from this was a classy looking remote for my truck that doesn't look like I added aftermarket keyless entry - and importantly, doesn't have a "panic" button for the alarm my truck doesn't have, or a "hatch" or "trunk" button. I also don't want any aftermarket junk that I have to decipher the instructions for, and I was really tired of the limitations of the aftermarket system I put in.

 

With a little planning, the Camaro keyless module is completely compatible with the Jeep wiring. Also, putting the module in programming mode is as simple as jumping two of the wires and holding one of the buttons on the remote until the locks cycle. The connectors on the Camaro module are different, but I'll be replacing them with the appropriate Metripack connectors anyway as part of building the overhead console harness.

 

The keyless modules used by GM in the mid 90s are made by TRW, the same company that made the remotes for quite a few of the Chrysler systems. As it turns out a 96-98ish ZJ remote can be programmed to the Camaro module. But those remotes have a panic button that would be useless on my truck. Luckily, you can get a Chrysler remote with just "unlock" and "lock" buttons, but THOSE remotes can't be programmed to the GM keyless module. But you can use the ZJ remote's guts in the 2-button case and it works just fine while not having any "extra" buttons.

 

The Camaro module also has a provision for "illuminated entry" (turning the dome lights on when you unlock the doors) that I might explore, and the built-in antenna can be extended for even more range.

 

The Camaro module can be harvested at the junkyard very easily. It's behind the passenger side kick panel and has two connectors. You don't even need any tools to remove it from the car.

 

I didn't come up with the basic idea of this. I originally got the idea from a different Jeep forum a few years ago, but I can't find the original thread. If I can find it, I'll post it up here to give credit to the original guy who figured this out.

[schardein]

Here is a remote and a smoked dome sensor I pulled from an XJ.  It's been long time so I don't recall the year, but something in the 91-96 range I think.  I was interested in getting it working until I read about how bad they are.

[schardein]

17 hours ago, Minuit said:

All the keyless entry module really does is trigger the lock and unlock relays, so the specifics of what module you use really doesn't matter. All I really wanted from this was a classy looking remote for my truck that doesn't look like I added aftermarket keyless entry - and importantly, doesn't have a "panic" button for the alarm my truck doesn't have, or a "hatch" or "trunk" button. I also don't want any aftermarket junk that I have to decipher the instructions for, and I was really tired of the limitations of the aftermarket system I put in.

Jeremy, it's obvious you've thought this all through.  I have a comment/question.  The panic button on my Silverado honks the horn.  If you used a remote with a panic button, couldn't you use it to honk the horn?  That way it would have a function and not be a pointless/useless button.  Or does the Camaro module not support that?

[Minuit]

5 hours ago, schardein said:

Jeremy, it's obvious you've thought this all through.  I have a comment/question.  The panic button on my Silverado honks the horn.  If you used a remote with a panic button, couldn't you use it to honk the horn?  That way it would have a function and not be a pointless/useless button.  Or does the Camaro module not support that?

Mostly because I don't want to mess with the factory wiring. I guess it would be cool if unlocking the doors turned on the headlights or honked the horn and whatnot, but it's not worth splicing into the original wiring to me. I hate aftermarket alarm/keyless entry installs precisely because of how invasive they are to the vehicle's original wiring, and I'm doing everything I can to avoid that for this project.

 

I'm doing this in a way that it all plugs into the factory connections and can be completely removed if needed. All of the power/ground/dimmer functions for the overhead console are going to come from the clock circuit through a "tee" harness, for example. The lock and unlock functions are going to plug into the cross-body harness at the same place they would in a factory install, although I will need to replace that connector with something I can actually source. Same shape and pin count of connector though, obviously.

 

 

Should I mention that I spent quite a bit of time and money ordering spools of each correct color (including stripe) and gauge of wire to match the factory OHC wire diagram, or would that be a step too far?

 

I also have a NOS XJ overhead console computer, although I'm pretty sure I found a suitable replacement that's way more reliable and a lot easier to come by.

[Minuit]

More info!

 

Here's the original JeepForum thread I was talking about. It did not make itself easy to find. https://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/1992-xj-rke-keyless-entry-upgrade-ir-rf-oem-omg-1143482/

 

ryder267, if you're reading this, you're a genius. There's not a whole lot more info in the comments section, but there is a whole lot of the typical useless "lol why didn't you just buy an aftermarket system this is stupid" type comments that you expect to see on most sites that aren't CC. The lack of that attitude is why I stick around here.

 

Here's the Camaro module after having been unceremoniously ripped out of its casing. It's quite a robust looking little unit. The entire board is conformally coated and contains high quality components. I have a couple of these and they all work just fine even though they're 25 years old.

 

Those connectors are huge, bulky, and not what I'll be using in the final product, so away they go. The smaller one is a Metri-Pack 150 series, the bigger one is a 280 series I'm pretty sure. If you chose, you can still get the connectors to plug directly into this module.

Once this gets installed in my truck and becomes a real writeup, I'll post a translation of my scribbled cursive notes. I'll be replacing the connector with a free hanging Metri-Pack 150 8-pin for compatibility with the original connector in the overhead console harness.

 

It fits perfectly in the overhead console on top of the compass module after the connectors have been removed. As in, "I probably couldn't have made it fit much better if I designed it that way"  - I'll use some velcro or something to keep it from rattling around. I don't expect it to affect the compass, as the antenna is the only part of this that I could get to attract a magnet, and there's plenty of other magnetic stuff in the area. I'll probably be making my own antenna that runs all the way around the overhead console for the final product.

 

 

If you know me, you'll know that I'm fussy. I wanted a remote that only had the buttons I could use. My truck does not have an alarm system or a trunk, so that means I need a remote with only "lock" and "unlock". Here's the remote I ended up with. This was originally for some Chrysler product without a remote trunk release. Maybe a 97+ XJ? Not sure. Important note: this remote doesn't actually work with the module as-is. What you see here is actually a ZJ remote's guts swapped into the 2-button remote's body and the "lock" and "unlock" buttons switched, so you'll need to Frankenstein a remote together from two remotes worth of parts if you want to follow along.

 

The Camaro module is compatible with a wide variety of remotes from pretty much any mid-90s domestic. All of the pictured remotes work with this module. I also accidentally programmed the remote for my '96 Thunderbird to it once.

 

More potentially useless info:

- The Camaro module has the ability to unlock only the driver door on the first press of the unlock button. The factory setup I'll be adapting this module to works with both doors no matter what. There are separate "unlock" wires for the driver and passenger doors, but this isn't an issue because the "driver door unlock" signal is active every time the unlock button is pushed anyway. So if you want to unlock both doors at the same time always, use the "driver door" unlock wire to trigger your unlock relay.

 

- I do not know if this module has any "panic button" functionality. From what I can tell, I doubt it.

 

- On my franken-remote, I had to switch the lock and unlock buttons. Not a huge deal, but some plastic needs to be trimmed to make them fit. 5 minute job.

 

- The module activates the lock/unlock actuators for a total of 0.3 seconds each time a button is pressed.

 

- The dome lights are turned on for 40 seconds after pressing either button. Remember that the dome lights get 12V at all times and are actually switched on the ground side - this module works the same way. The "dome light" wire is grounded for that time.

 

- The module will stay programmed for at least several months with no power. The last time I messed with this was at the very start of 2020, and it still remembered my remote last weekend even though the module has been in a box the whole time.

 

[Pete M]

  that is epic, Jeremy.  as per usual.  

[schardein]

On 8/25/2020 at 8:16 AM, Minuit said:

More info!

 

Very cool.  I looked for one of these modules.  Pass side kick panel, right?  Either they were already snagged, or didn't come with them?  In your experience, did all Camaros have these, or were they an option?  I'm assuming you got these at a pull-a-part type place, as opposed to eBay or whatever.

[Minuit]

6 hours ago, schardein said:

Very cool.  I looked for one of these modules.  Pass side kick panel, right?  Either they were already snagged, or didn't come with them?  In your experience, did all Camaros have these, or were they an option?  I'm assuming you got these at a pull-a-part type place, as opposed to eBay or whatever.

I looked in 2 cars, both base model V6, and both had the module. Not sure if it was standard though. It should be visible just by removing the passenger kick panel trim.

[Minuit]

Here's another fun fact about the early (up to '91 at least) factory IR keyless system: You cannot reprogram the receiver. The receiver and transmitter are coded together at the factory, and the FSM says if one is replaced the other must be replaced too. There may be some way to do it at the component level, but Chrysler's official position is that it can't be done.

 

I rarely make sweeping declarations that things suck or are completely useless, but damn. I didn't know much about the factory keyless entry before I started researching for this, but the more I learn the worse it gets. So that's two factory systems that are on my list of "completely useless, don't even bother with them even for novelty purposes" - this, and the Bendix 9 ABS system as found on highly optioned XJs through 1991.

[eaglescout526]

I knew the keyless system sucks and honestly it would've been something id be willing to fight with as I grew up learning that you had to point the keys at the car to get the car to unlock. But knowing about the Camero is a gamechanger.

 

As far as the Chrysler system, it almost sounds like any pre 96 Chrysler car with keyless should be avoided.

 

The main goal for wanting a keyless entry was to use the OEM housing so I wouldn't have any more wires and boxes under the dash(like I have a lot of). But if you have no automatic trans, the lower dash panels on most 87-96 XJ's and MJ's have some studs where the TCU goes and you could easily bolt a keyless entry box there.

[Strokermjcomanche]

This isn't what you're looking for is it ? Got it from the dealership years ago. A part number search doesn't do much for me.

[eaglescout526]

2 minutes ago, Strokermjcomanche said:

This isn't what you're looking for is it ? Got it from the dealership years ago. A part number search doesn't do much for me.

 

I was looking for those EVS kits too! Most were 96+. But that one says 88-89.

[Pete M]

anyone mind if I move this thread to tech?

[eaglescout526]

Go ahead Pete.

[Eagle]

On 8/22/2020 at 4:20 PM, youngfred said:

Because of Tinted Windows, you have to aim the Fob

at window level and aim at the dome, in order for the OEM to work.

 

 

 

The Renix-era keyless entry is an infrared based system, so the key fob has to have a clear line of sight to the receiver in the vehicle. The newer ones, like in my 2000 XJ, are RFID technology, so line of sight isn't required.

[eaglescout526]

Little info I found on the Renix keyless system from an XJ FSM.

 

To use another transmitter fob, the coded chip needs to match the code on the receiver. So if one was hoarding these fobs and receivers, sets could be made with some soldering and swapping of the fob chips to match. AMC did supply replacement fobs but the PDC had to be notified of the code number on the receiver to code the fob. Kinda neat but still a primitive system today but was neat and advanced back then.