Extremely strange phenomenon with remote start.

[JINO]

This is major creepy especially if you are really her boss.
It's probably just a failing key FOB battery and your just hyper focused on a woman in your office.
Follow her to the ladies room and let us know the results.
PS Have your wife bail you out.

No, it works fine when she leaves the room.
We had her go to the back, and jeep starts fine.
It ONLY happens when she's around. We all joke about it, including her.
And it's not an office, it's a restaurant. Nothing creepy about it.

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[HydroBlueJax]

Maybe her chastity belt is blocking the signal

 

[YGBSM392]

No, it works fine when she leaves the room.
We had her go to the back, and jeep starts fine.
It ONLY happens when she's around. We all joke about it, including her.
And it's not an office, it's a restaurant. Nothing creepy about it.

All joking aside, I had a problem with my garage door opener. It was just one door and only the remote was affected. I decided to find everything in the house that omitted a RF signal. Long story short, I found a remote, in the attic, for a switch that I used for Christmas lights that was in a storage container with things piled on top. The button was being pressed blocking the garage door opener signal. I'm an engineer so this drove me bananas.

 

[Pape]

Ya she is probably a spy running a wire :P

But seriously curious, does she stand between you and the jeep when this happen ?

 

[wanderer]

Call Boston robotics she is obviously a. robot... Or an extra terrestrial

 

[JINO]

Ya she is probably a spy running a wire :P

But seriously curious, does she stand between you and the jeep when this happen ?

No, but if she's in the dining area (where i am when I'm trying to push remote button), it won't start.
Maybe I should tell her to be in the kitchen at all times, what could go wrong?

 

[JINO]

Does she take your usual parking spot when she's there?

It makes me think of this classic story/joke/problem/whatever:
https://kepner-tregoe.com/blogs/hel...vanilla-ice-cream-a-study-in-problem-solving/

Everyone parks in the back, i park in the front because of disability.

 

[Tbogo]

i asked grok

Remote start systems typically use radio frequency (RF) signals to communicate between the key fob and the vehicle. When you press the remote start button, the fob sends a signal to a receiver in the vehicle, which then initiates the engine start process. These systems operate on specific frequencies (often 315 MHz or 433 MHz, depending on the region and manufacturer) and can be sensitive to interference.
Possible Explanations for the Issue
Given that the remote start only fails when this specific coworker is present, let’s explore some potential causes:

1. Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) from a Device the Coworker Carries
   The coworker might unknowingly carry a device that emits RF signals or electromagnetic interference on a frequency that disrupts the Jeep’s remote start system. Some possibilities include:
   • A Smartwatch or Fitness Tracker: Some wearable devices, especially older or poorly shielded ones, can emit RF noise that might interfere with nearby systems.
   • A Phone with a Faulty Component: If the coworker’s phone has a malfunctioning antenna or is transmitting on a conflicting frequency (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or cellular signals), it could cause interference.
   • Medical Devices: Devices like pacemakers or hearing aids sometimes emit low-level RF signals, though this is less likely to cause significant interference.
   • Key Fob for Another Vehicle: If the coworker has a key fob for another car, it might be transmitting a signal (even passively) that conflicts with the Jeep’s remote start frequency.
2. Environmental Factors Coinciding with the Coworker’s Presence
   It’s possible the issue isn’t directly caused by the coworker but by something environmental that happens to occur when she’s around:
   • Proximity to Other RF Sources: If the coworker’s presence coincides with the Jeep being parked near a source of interference (e.g., a cell tower, radio transmitter, or even a nearby Wi-Fi router), this could disrupt the signal.
   • Physical Obstruction: The coworker’s position (e.g., standing between the key fob and the vehicle) might be blocking the signal, though this is unlikely unless she’s consistently in the same spot and the signal is very weak.
3. Unintentional Signal Jamming (Not Deliberate)
   While JINO rules out a deliberate signal jammer due to the coworker’s lack of technical knowledge, unintentional jamming is still possible. For example:
   • Cheap Electronics: Some low-quality electronic devices (like phone chargers, LED lights, or even novelty gadgets) can emit RF noise as a byproduct, which might interfere with the remote start signal.
   • Metal Objects: If the coworker carries a large metal object (like a laptop, tools, or even a metal water bottle), it could theoretically reflect or absorb RF signals, though this is a stretch unless the object is very large and positioned just right.
4. Psychosomatic or Confirmation Bias
   It’s worth considering that JINO might be noticing a pattern that isn’t entirely consistent. Remote start systems can fail intermittently for various reasons (e.g., low battery in the fob, vehicle issues, or random interference). If JINO has started associating failures with the coworker’s presence, they might be overlooking times when the remote start fails without her around or works fine when she’s present.
5. Vehicle-Specific Issue
   The 2021 Jeep (likely a Wrangler, Cherokee, or similar model, given the "JURD" abbreviation) might have a quirk in its remote start system:
   • Faulty Receiver: The Jeep’s RF receiver might be overly sensitive to certain types of interference that only occur when the coworker is nearby.
   • Software Glitch: Some vehicles have software bugs in their remote start modules that can cause inconsistent behavior. If the coworker’s presence coincides with specific conditions (e.g., temperature, time of day), it might trigger the glitch.

Likelihood of a Signal Jammer
Since JINO mentions the coworker isn’t the “brightest bulb” and thus unlikely to use a signal jammer, this seems improbable. Signal jammers are illegal in many places (like the U.S., where JINO is located, based on the "SOCAL" location tag for Southern California) and require some technical know-how to operate. Plus, a jammer would likely disrupt other RF-based systems (like cell phones or Wi-Fi), and JINO doesn’t mention broader issues.
Steps to Diagnose and Fix the Issue
Here are some practical steps JINO could take to troubleshoot the problem:

1. Test Without the Coworker Present: Confirm that the remote start works consistently when the coworker isn’t around. This helps rule out a general issue with the Jeep or key fob.
2. Test With the Coworker Nearby but Without Her Devices: Ask the coworker to leave her phone, smartwatch, or other electronics behind temporarily and see if the remote start works. This can help identify if a device she carries is the culprit.
3. Check the Key Fob Battery: A weak battery in the key fob can make the signal more susceptible to interference. Replacing the battery might help.
4. Inspect the Jeep’s Remote Start System: Have a mechanic or dealership check the vehicle’s RF receiver and remote start module for issues. They can also test for interference using diagnostic tools.
5. Monitor for Other Interference: Pay attention to the surroundings when the coworker is present. Are there other potential sources of RF noise nearby (e.g., power lines, other vehicles, or buildings)?
6. Experiment with Distance: Try using the remote start from different distances and angles when the coworker is present to see if her position affects the outcome.

My Take
This is a fascinating puzzle! The most likely explanation is that the coworker unknowingly carries a device (like a phone or wearable) that emits RF interference, disrupting the Jeep’s remote start signal. It’s also possible that JINO is noticing a pattern that isn’t as consistent as they think, and the issue might be a combination of intermittent vehicle problems and coincidence.
Firing the coworker, as JINO jokingly suggests, probably won’t solve the problem unless she’s secretly a walking RF jammer—which seems unlikely given the context. Instead, I’d recommend starting with the troubleshooting steps above to narrow down the cause.
If you’d like to dig deeper into similar experiences, I’d need to search for reports of remote start issues linked to interference, but I can’t do that right now. Let me know if you’d like me to search for more information!

do you have pics of her?

WTH is this chatGPT or what?

 

[ArcadeTracks]

WTH is this chatGPT or what?

Yeah. "Grok" is the name of one of them

 

[Tbogo]

Yeah. "Grok" is the name of one of them

Thanks, I thought so.

 

[Blueliner3]

No, but if she's in the dining area (where i am when I'm trying to push remote button), it won't start.
Maybe I should tell her to be in the kitchen at all times, what could go wrong?

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