Okay, I'm losing my mind. Where is my RKE receiver?!

[brand_x]

I have a 1999 Tahoe LT 4WD, 5.7l, and the RKE function stopped working about 2 weeks ago. Checked the fobs with a meter, both are transmitting. Found the '98 servrice manual PDFs here, looked up where it should be, and when I get down in there to look, there's =nothing=. I found the EVO/Passlock module, the DRL diode (blown, so I pulled it out and made a jumper plug for it - headlight relay/4-hi harness installed, so all it needs is power through it to trip the headlight relay), a 2-channel audio amp, but nothing else next to/mounted on the right-side steering support on the inside or outside of it.

Is there anywhere else they may have mounted it?

 

[AK49BWL]

Do you have the standard long tone warning or a time delayed chime? You might have a BCM in there, with the truck being a 99 Tahoe LT. One way to check, is there a terminal in pin 8 of the OBDII connector? If so, connect a jumper wire from pin 8 to pin 4, the locks should cycle. Another way, do you have retained accessory power (radio stays on when you turn the truck off until you open a door)? If you do, your truck has the BCM, which the 99-00 Escalades also use. I *THINK* they're mounted behind or somewhere around the glove box... Make it start chiming and follow the noise to its source. In the 99-00 Escalades they're mounted under the center console, be glad you don't have that problem lol.

 

[Spareparts]

If i remember correctly the RKE is located above the steering column. Very hard to see and get at. Took me a while to find mine.

 

[brand_x]

Do you have the standard long tone warning or a time delayed chime? You might have a BCM in there, with the truck being a 99 Tahoe LT. One way to check, is there a terminal in pin 8 of the OBDII connector? If so, connect a jumper wire from pin 8 to pin 4, the locks should cycle. Another way, do you have retained accessory power (radio stays on when you turn the truck off until you open a door)? If you do, your truck has the BCM, which the 99-00 Escalades also use. I *THINK* they're mounted behind or somewhere around the glove box... Make it start chiming and follow the noise to its source. In the 99-00 Escalades they're mounted under the center console, be glad you don't have that problem lol.

Pin 8 exists, I did try to see if the fobs would reprogram - the locks cycled when I put the jumper in, but it never read either fob, and I gave each one a good 30+ seconds. It just has the long tone.

 

[brand_x]

If i remember correctly the RKE is located above the steering column. Very hard to see and get at. Took me a while to find mine.

Alright, I'll have to go and check here in a while - we're rolling into one of those strings of nasty-hot days, so it may have to wait until evening.

 

[brand_x]

Update: It was where the manual said it was - I just couldn't get my fat head in far enough to see it. Brother helped me get it out, now I need to check it and see if there's anything physically obvious as far as failures...

 

[brand_x]

Update-to-update: I didn't see anything glaringly obvious, so I went ahead and reflowed the joint where the internal antenna connects to the board. Had brother plug it back in, jumped 4 and 8 to put it into program mode, press and hold the fob buttons, and after about 15 seconds *kachunk-chunk*. Fob works again. Tested range, was able to trip it from halfway into neighbor's yard (30-ish feet), but all I need it to reach is when I'm by the doors.

So, that's one tiny bit of existential dread resolved, and I can put the dash back together again.