Does anyone know where the key fob receiver is located? My keyfob is not locking or unlocking and its not the battery. I tried reprogramming it but its not working. I think the owner before me took out the receiver and Im trying to figure whats wrong with it.

 

Receiver is built into the ETACS. If they took that out your turn signals wouldn't work, the clock, etc. Sounds like something else is going on.
Do your door locks respond to programming mode?

 

Yes the door locks respond after the last step when I press once and then twice. The doors lock and unlock. But my key fob still wont work.

 

The original owner took out this little square black piece that goes on top of the dashboard towards the center of the window. I always thought that was like a receiver or something for the remote entry

 

That's just a plug in the dash, doesn't do anything.

If the locks are cycling after you push the remote button 3 times the system is acknowledging the remote. That doesn't make the remote good, just acknowledges the signal.

Does the panic work when right next to the car (doors closed, key out)?

 

nope the panic does not work. Nothing is working. If it is acknowledging the signal, that's a good sign that everything is good except there is something with my remote?

 

I'd be most suspicious of the remote. I replace these things all the time at work, and maybe 1/10 times it is like yours where it registers but does nothing.
I have never had to replace an ETACS for that.

If you have a friend with an Evo (or same era Lancer, Outlander, 3G Spyder, or late Montero Sport), borrow their remote and see if it will work on yours. If it doesn't, you know there is more digging to do. If it works, you just need to buy a new remote.

 

the car came with two oem remotes and they do not work. The previous owner probably had an alarm installed. Is it possible something he did is interfering with the system?