Possible Causes

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Mazda Tribute. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

aftermarket systems
high power devices
TV/radio transmission towers
remote transmitter
SJB

PINPOINT TEST 8: REMOTE TRANSMITTER HAS POOR RANGE PERFORMANCE

PINPOINT TEST 8		THE REMOTE TRANSMITTER HAS POOR RANGE PERFORMANCE
STEP	INSPECTION		ACTION
1	CHECK FOR THE CORRECT REMOTE TRANSMITTERS Check that the correct remote transmitters are used with the vehicle. Make sure the remote transmitters are ones provided with the OEM system and not from an aftermarket or a dealer installed system that may have been installed on the vehicle. Are all the correct remote transmitters present?	Yes	Go to next step.
1		No	The system cannot be tested without the correct remote transmitters. INFORM the customer that all the correct remote transmitters need to be present to proceed with diagnosis of the system.
2	CHECK ALL REMOTE TRANSMITTERS FOR POOR RANGE PERFORMANCE NOTE: The 3 m (10 ft) measurement of range is not the standard but is a guideline that clearly indicates a vehicle is experiencing poor range performance. Check all remote transmitters for poor range performance (less than 3 m or 10 ft). Do all remote transmitters experience poor range?	Yes	Go to next step.
2		No	REPLACE the inoperative remote transmitter and REPROGRAM all the remote transmitters. See REMOTE TRANSMITTER PROGRAMMING . INFORM the customer any remote transmitters not present will need to be reprogrammed. CLEAR the DTCs. REPEAT the self-test. TEST the system for normal operation.
3	CHECK THE LOCATION OF THE VEHICLE AND APPROACH ANGLES AROUND VEHICLE Make sure the poor performance is consistent in nature and is not from one approaching angle. The remote transmitter range performance may be degraded in certain locations. For example, if the vehicle is within 0.8 km (0.5 miles) of high power devices or radio/TV towers, the operating distance of the remote transmitters may be reduced. Is the poor range performance consistent around the vehicle?	Yes	Go to next step.
3		No	The system is operating correctly at this time. CLEAR the DTCs. REPEAT the self-test. TEST the system for normal operation.
4	CHECK THE SJB FOR CORRECT OPERATION Disconnect all the SJB connectors. Check for: corrosion pushed-out pins Connect all the SJB connectors and make sure they seat correctly. Operate the system and verify the concern is still present. Is the concern still present?	Yes	INSTALL a new SJB. See PINPOINT TEST 6: THE DEFROST SYSTEM IS INOPERATIVE . REPROGRAM all the remote transmitters. See REMOTE TRANSMITTER PROGRAMMING . INFORM the customer any remote transmitters not present will need to be reprogrammed. CLEAR the DTCs. REPEAT the self-test. TEST the system for normal operation.
4		No	The system is operating correctly at this time. Concern may have been caused by a loose or corroded connector. CLEAR the DTCs. REPEAT the self-test. TEST the system for normal operation.