Key switch receiver/antenna location

[seenastyle]

Does anyone know where the key (aka switch) receiver is located in the car? More specifically, where it might connect to an antenna? Or know how to look it up in schematics?

I'm assuming somewhere in the center console? Because my key used to work completely fine from great distance, but after I removed my center console, I have to position the key near the center console right outside the windshield before the car receives any signal. I'm thinking there's some sort of antenna that I didn't securely plug back in, kind of like an antenna coax cable to a television or antenna extension cable for a wifi router.

It's definitely NOT a weak battery because I tried 3 different batteries all from different brands/packages!

[Snooglefinder]

Hi,

It's called remote keyless entry (RKE) receiver, diagram on this link isn't very useful but it gives you some direction.

https://www.scuderiacarparts.com/part-finder/aston...

[Bournemouthboy]

I remember having this problem but cant recall if it was the DB7 or the Vantage, but check that you don't have a lot of coins in the centre console or other large amounts of metallic objects

[Autoelec]

It's on top of the instrument cluster.

[seenastyle]

I finally got around to removing the RKE module. I was hoping to find something like a loose antenna inside that I could repair, but it doesn't look like there's much to do in here. Does anyone know if this RKE module can be replaced with any module from Scuderia/AstonMartinBits/etc, or does this part have to be programmed for the particular key in any way?

Also, any chance that the module is in fact connected to an antenna? For example, does anyone know what this panel directly on top of the instrument cluster is? It has 3 wires that plug into the rear of the instrument cluster (probably 12v, ground, and data). It's a long shot, but what if this is the actual antenna? Admittedly, if this was the antenna, then why would they place the RKE up there, but hey maybe it's just where they found room and wanted to keep it with the rest of the electronics.




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For anyone following these footsteps, these resources were helpful:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgXIjxikcoE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMNXUDmi_78
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xf5ST1soTNo

And from another forum:
[i]This is very easy to do.
First remove the cluster cover by pulling on it. It's help by spring clips. So don't be afraid to pull it.
Second, remove the vent held in the dash cover, as well as the dash cover on the other side of the instrument cluster. Again, these pieces are held in with spring clips. Just give them a hard pull, and they will release.
Third, remove the instrument clock bezel surround. The screws are all exposed so just remove what you see.
From this point, you will see all screws for the instrument cluster.
This is very easy. One thing, you'll need a stubby phillips head screw driver to complete remove the instrument clock bezel surround.
This is not complicated. So enjoy....[/i]

Be fearless, the panels really do pop out just fine. Then keep searching for screws, some of them are less obvious than others but all are certainly visible. I'm not sure if you're supposed to disconnect the car battery before disconnecting the instrument cluster, but I didn't because I didn't want my car to unlearn/forget the misfire correction factors (this is the case for 2008 and prior Vantages, and I think even the next few model years so heads up). That said, I did wait until the instrument cluster turned off after having opened the door etc.

[seenastyle]

Scratch the idea that the panel directly on top of the instrument cluster is an antenna, that just houses a PCB with illumination LEDs.  But still wondering if there's an antenna elsewhere.  And whether that RKE module can be simply replaced without programming drama...