9 Lessons Your Parents Taught You About Remote Key Repair

How to Fix a Key Fob That isn't Working

If your key fob doesn't work A few easy steps can be taken to fix it. The first step is to be sure that it's not the backup remote.

If your backup remote can lock and unlock the doors of your car, it is likely that the main remote isn't working. Most mobile car key repair remote key failures are caused by battery or circuitry problems.

Battery

It is not unusual to find a battery on a car key fob to get worn out. It is simple to replace the battery. However it is crucial that you use the correct kind. You can check your owner's manual or call the manufacturer to determine the right type. It is also important to examine the battery compartment, as batteries that are not working properly can release caustic chemicals which can damage the remote. If changing the batteries does not solve the issue it could be that there are other issues that require attention from a professional. For instance, if buttons seem stuck or damaged it could be necessary to take the Remote Key Repair apart and rework its parts. You could also try reprogramming the vehicle to recognize the new device.

Buttons

Key fobs may become dirty and worn-out from frequent use. It is not uncommon for buttons to cease working, or to require a hard press to get them working. This can be a huge hassle particularly if you're away from home and you need to start your car remote key fob repair. Even malfunctioning or worn-out buttons can be fixed with a bit of time and materials you already have at home.

First, make sure that the batteries have been correctly inserted and that the indentation at the back of the button is filled. Then, carefully open the remote and look at the circuit board. Check for indications of rust or other signs the buttons have been damaged or worn out. For example there could be conductive paint missing. Use a Q-tip, dipped in alcohol to gently clean any membrane contact that is damaged or where conductive paint is missing. Avoid rubbing too hard, since this could cause damage to the conductive painting and prevent the button from firing when it is it is pressed.

Check the battery connector terminals carefully for any loose solder connections. Soldering them back into place 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, for instance, any of the rubber buttons on the front of the key fob have stopped working or require a hard press to work it is likely the graphite disks at the back of the button are wearing out and need to be replaced. It is usually done by rubbing a pen over the disks. This will bring the button back to life.

If none of this is useful, or if the button does not respond to a hard press It could be the case that the circuit board is damaged. It is possible to fix this by cleaning and re-soldering the button however, you should have a spare in case it doesn't work.

Circuitry

The circuit board of the remote control could be dirty regardless of whether the buttons on the mobile key fob repair fob work or not. This problem can be resolved by a thorough inspection. The most common causes for dirty circuit boards are water and broken key repair near me cases. A damaged case can let water and other debris to get into the circuit board, causing it to short. Water can also damage pins and vias, which are small connectors found on the board.

If you're handy enough to open up your key fob, and you're not afraid of a little mess, we can remove the solder from the buttons and then solder new ones in their place. It's also worth checking the battery terminal connections. If they're loose, the buttons may not function properly or become stuck in their down position. Soldering terminals and buttons back into place is usually enough to restore a non-working fob back to working.

Non-Remote Transponder Chips

Sealed non-remote transponder chips are more durable than the remote fobs that contain them however they are still susceptible to being cracked by a hole made in them or pushed over by a lawnmowers blade or car door handle. Most of the time, non-remote transponder chip malfunctions can be attributed to an exploded fuse.

If you're not comfortable opening the key fob, you may take the circuit board off and use a multimeter to check that the diode is functioning properly. If you don't feel comfortable with this, visit your local Oreilly or hardware store and utilize their RF frequency tester. This will inform you whether the key fob sends an RF signal.

Programming

Key fobs aren't indestructible and are susceptible to being damaged by a lot of things. They can lose their pairing with the receiver inside your vehicle because of shocks or a low-battery, which requires reprogramming. A professional auto locksmith or main dealer will be able to reprogram your key fob to get it functioning again. If, in the unlikely event that resetting and repairing your key fob doesn't work, it could be time to replace it all over again.