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 fix it. First, check to make sure it's not the backup remote.

If your backup remote can unlock and lock key repair near me the doors of your car key lock repair near me, it is likely that the primary remote isn't functioning. The most common causes of car remote key failure are battery or circuitry issues.

Battery

It is not unusual to find a battery on the key fob for cars to wear out. It is quite simple to replace batteries, but it is important to make sure that you select the correct one and you can consult the owner's manual or talk to the dealer of the manufacturer to determine the type of battery you require. It's also a good idea to inspect the battery compartment carefully, as dead batteries sometimes leak caustic chemicals that can cause damage to the remote. If changing the batteries doesn't solve the issue it could be because there are other issues that require attention from a professional. For instance, if buttons seem stuck or damaged It may be necessary to disassemble the remote and rework its components. You can also try reprogramming your vehicle to recognize the new key fob.

Buttons

From frequent use, key fobs could wear out and become dirty. It is not unusual for buttons to stop functioning, or require a hefty press to make them work. This can be extremely frustrating especially if you're away from home and you need to start your vehicle. Fortunately, even worn-out or damaged buttons can be fixed with a little time and a few materials you may already have around the home.

First, verify that the batteries are correctly inserted and that the indentation at the back of the button is filled. Take the remote apart and look over the circuit board. Check for signs of corrosion or other signs that buttons are worn out or damaged, such as missing conductive paint. Then, using the Q-tip, dipped in alcohol to gently clean any membrane contacts that are damaged or have conductive paint missing. Do not rub too vigorously as this can damage the conductive paint and prevent the button from firing when it is pressed.

Also, carefully check the battery connector terminals for an unattached solder connection. If this is the case, soldering them back in place may restore function to the button. 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 stop working or require a very difficult press to function it is likely that the graphite disks that are on the back of the button are wearing down and need to be replaced. You can do this by rubbing a pen across the disks. This should bring the button back to life.

If none of this is useful, or if the button still doesn't respond to a hard push, then it may be the case that the circuit board has gone bad. It is possible to fix this issue by cleaning and re-soldering the fob however, you should have a spare in case it doesn't work.

Circuitry

The circuit board in your remote control could be dirty regardless of whether the buttons on the key fob function or not. A very thorough inspection is often enough to resolve this issue. broken key repair near me cases and water are the most common causes of boards that are dirty. A damaged case can allow water and other debris to enter and short circuit the electronics. Water can also eat through pins and vias, which are the tiny connectors that are found on the board.

If you are handy enough to open your key fob, and you don't mind making some mess, we can remove the buttons from their sockets and then solder new ones. Also, it's worth checking the connections between the battery terminals. If they are loose, the buttons may not function or get stuck in their down position. Soldering the terminals, and putting the button back in their place is generally all it takes to restore a non-working key fob to working condition.

Non-Remote transponder chips

Sealed non-remote transponder chip are more durable than the Remote Key Repair fobs that have them however they are still susceptible to being damaged by a hole that is drilled into them or run over by a lawnmowers blade or electronic car key repair near me door handle. Failures of the fuse are typically to blame for non-remote chips failures.

If you are not comfortable opening the key fob, you can remove the circuitboard and utilize a multimeter to check that the diode is functioning properly. If you don't feel comfortable with this, go to your local Oreilly or hardware store and utilize their RF frequency tester. This will inform you whether the key fob transmits a signal.

Programming

Key fobs are subject to lots of abuse and aren't completely indestructible. They may lose their connection to the receiver in your car due to shock or low battery, requiring the reprogramming. A professional auto locksmith or main dealer can reprogram your key fob to get it working again. If resetting or replacing your keyfob does not work, you may need to replace it.