9 Lessons Your Parents Teach You About Remote Key Repair

How to Fix a Key Fob That isn't Working

If your key fob doesn't work and you're not sure why, you can fix it by following a few simple steps. The first step is to make sure it's not the backup remote.

If the backup can lock and unlock your car key repairs near me door, then there's a likely issue with the primary remote. The most common causes for key malfunctions for car remotes are issues with the circuitry or battery.

Battery

The battery inside the key fob could be worn out over time. It is fairly easy to replace batteries, but it is essential to ensure you choose the correct type; you can look in the owner's manual or talk to the manufacturer's dealer to determine the type of battery you need. It is recommended to examine the battery compartment with care since dead batteries may release caustic chemicals that could cause damage to the remote. If changing the battery doesn't fix the problem there could be other issues that require professional attention. If the buttons are damaged or stuck for instance, it may be necessary remove the remote and rebuild each component. You could also try reprogramming the vehicle to recognize the new key repair; over here, fob.

Buttons

From repeated use, key fobs may get dirty and worn. It is not uncommon to have buttons stop working, or to require a long press to get them working. This can be very frustrating especially if you're out of town and need to start your car. Fortunately, even worn out or broken buttons can usually be fixed with just a bit of time and a few items you have in the house.

First, ensure that the batteries are charged correctly and that the indentation on the back of the button is filled. Then, carefully open the remote and look at the circuit board. Check for evidence of rust, or other indications that the buttons are damaged or worn. For instance there could be conductive paint missing. Use a Q-tip that has been dipped in rubbing alcohol to gently clean any membrane contact that has damaged or has conductive paint missing. Don't rub too hard, as this could erode the conductive paint and stop the button from firing when pressed.

Also, carefully check the battery connector's terminals to ensure any loose solder connections. Soldering them back to their original position will restore the button's functionality if this is the situation. The same process can be used to restore function to any other loose connections inside the fob.

If any of the rubber buttons at the front of the keyfob are not functioning or require to be press very hard, the graphite disks at the back of the button may have worn out and require replacement. You can do this by rubbing a pen across the disks. This should bring the button back to life.

If none of these solutions work, or if you still are unable to get the button to respond when pressed hard, it could be that the circuitry is failing. It is possible to fix this issue by cleaning and re-soldering the button however, you should have an extra in case it doesn't work.

Circuitry

The circuit board of your remote control could be dirty regardless of whether the buttons on the key fob function or not. This issue can be fixed by a thorough inspection. Broken and damaged cases are the most frequent causes of boards that are dirty. A broken case allows water and other debris to enter and short out the electronic components. Water can also destroy pins and small connectors on the board, referred to as via's.

If you're handy enough to open your key fob and don't mind a little mess, we can de-solder the buttons and then solder new ones in their place. It's also worth looking at the battery terminal connections. If they are loose, the buttons could not function properly or become stuck in their down position. Soldering the terminals and buttons into place is usually enough to bring a non-working fob to working.

Non-remote car key repair transponder chips

Sealed non-remote transponder chips are much more durable than the remote fobs that have them but they can still be broken by a hole being drilled into them or run over by a lawnmower or door handle for a car key repair service. The majority of non-remote transponder chip malfunctions could be attributed to a blown fuse.

If you are not comfortable opening the key fob, remove the circuitboard and use a multimeter to verify that the diode is functioning properly. If you're not comfortable doing this, visit your local hardware store or Oreilly's, and they'll usually have an radio frequency tester that can let you know whether the key fob is transmitting a signal.

Programming

Key fobs are subject to a lot of abuse and aren't indestructible. They can break their connection with the receiver in your vehicle because of shocks or a low-battery, which requires changing the program. A professional auto locksmith, or main dealer can reprogram the keyfob and get it functioning again. If resetting or replacing your keyfob does not work it may be necessary to replace it.