Expert Advice On Remote Key Repair From A Five-Year-Old

How to Fix a Key Fob That isn't Working

If your key fob doesn't work, a few easy steps can fix it. The first step is to make sure that it's not your backup remote.

If the backup remote is able to lock and unlock your car door, then there is likely an issue with the primary remote. The most common causes for car remote key failure are circuitry or battery issues.

Battery

The battery inside the key fob may be worn out over time. It is quite simple to change out batteries, but it is essential to make sure that you use the right type that you can refer to the owner's manual or talk to the dealer of the manufacturer to find out what kind of battery you need. It is recommended to inspect the battery compartment thoroughly, as dead batteries sometimes leak caustic chemicals that can harm the remote. If changing the battery doesn't fix the issue, there may be other issues requiring professional attention. For example, if buttons seem stuck or damaged It may be necessary to disassemble the remote and rebuild its components. You can also try reprogramming the vehicle to recognize the new fob.

Buttons

From repeated use, key fobs can become worn and dirty. This is not uncommon, but it can cause buttons to stop working or require a very long press to work. This can be a huge hassle especially if you're away from home and need to start your car. Fortunately, even worn out or malfunctioning buttons can often be fixed with a bit of time and a few items you have in the house.

First, ensure that the batteries are up correctly and that the indentation on the back of the button is filled. Take the remote apart and inspect the circuit board. Check for signs of rust or other indications that the buttons are damaged or worn out. For instance the paint that conducts electricity could be missing. Use a Q-tip, dipped in alcohol to gently clean any membrane contact that has worn out or where conductive painting is missing. Do not rub too vigorously, as this could erode the conductive paint and prevent the button from firing when you press it.

Check the battery connector terminals for loose solder connections. If this is the case, reconnecting them could bring back function to the button. The same method can be used to restore functionality to any other loose connections within the fob.

If any of the rubber buttons on the front of the keyfob isn't working or need to be press extremely hard the graphite disks on the back of the button might have worn out and will require replacement. This can usually be done by rubbing a pencil across the disks, which will bring the button back to its original state.

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

Circuitry

If the key fob buttons function the circuit board in your remote may be dirty. A very thorough inspection will usually resolve this issue. The most common causes of dirty circuit boards are water and broken cases. A damaged case allows water and other debris to get in and short out the electronics. Water can also eat through pins and vias, which are the tiny connectors found on the board.

If you're handy enough to open up your key fob, and you're not afraid of making a mess, we can take off the buttons and solder new ones in their place. It's also worth checking the battery terminal connections. If they're loose, the buttons may not work or even become stuck in their down position. Soldering the terminals back to their proper positions is usually enough to return a malfunctioning fob to a working condition.

Non-Remote Transponder Chips

Sealed non-remote transponder chips are much more durable than the remote key fob repair fobs that contain them but they can still be broken by a hole being drilled into them or run over by a lawnmowers blade or door handle for a car. Most of the time non-remote transponder chip malfunctions can be attributed to blowing fuses.

If you're able to remove a sealed non-remote key fob and are able to bear the mess, you can easily remove the circuit board and check the fuse with an instrument to verify diode function. If you're not sure with this, you can 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 repairs near me fobs aren't indestructible and are susceptible to damage by a lot of things. They may lose their connection with the receiver in your vehicle due to shocks or a low battery, which calls for the reprogramming. A professional auto key repair locksmith or main dealer, can reprogram your keyfob to get it up and running again. In the event that resetting and repairing your key repair car keys shops near me [Full Post] fob fails it may be time to replace it all over again.