What's The Ugly Truth About Remote Key Repair

How to Fix a Key Fob That isn't Working If your key fob isn't working A few easy steps can fix it. The first step is to be sure that it's not your backup remote. If the backup can lock and unlock your car doors it is most likely an issue with the primary remote. The most common causes for key malfunctions for car remotes are battery or circuitry issues. Battery The battery inside the key fob may be worn out over time. It is simple to replace batteries. However it is crucial that you use the correct type. You can refer to your owner's guide or contact the manufacturer to determine the right type. It is recommended to examine the battery compartment thoroughly because dead batteries can leak caustic chemicals that can harm the remote. If replacing the battery does not solve the issue, there may be other issues that require professional attention. For example, if buttons seem to be stuck or broken, it may be necessary to take the remote apart and rework its parts. You could also try reprogramming your car to recognize the new key fob. Buttons Key fobs can get filthy and worn out due to repeated use. It is not uncommon to have buttons stop working, or to require a hefty press to get them working. This can be a hassle especially when you're away from home and have to turn on your car. Even worn-out or malfunctioning buttons are often fixable with a bit of time and materials you already have at home. First, check that the batteries are properly charged and that the indentation on the back of the button is filled. Then, carefully remove the remote and inspect the circuit board. Look for indications of rust or other indications that the buttons are damaged or worn. For example the paint that conducts electricity could be missing. Utilizing a Q-tip that has been dipped in alcohol, gently clean any membrane contacts that are worn or have conductive paint missing. Avoid rubbing too hard, since this could cause damage to the conductive paint and block the button from firing when it is it is pressed. Examine the battery connector's terminals for loose solder connections. If this is the case, reconnecting them can restore functionality to the button. You can follow the same process to restore functionality to any other loose connection within the fob. If any of the rubber buttons located at the front of the keyfob are not working or require being pressed extremely hard the graphite disks on the back of the button may have worn out and will require replacement. It is usually done by rubbing a pen over 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 you press it hard, it is possible that the circuitry is failing. This can sometimes be repaired with a quick clean and re-soldering, but it is ideal to have a spare fob in case this method doesn't work for you. Circuitry If the key fob buttons are working, the circuit board inside your remote might be dirty. A very thorough inspection is often enough to resolve this issue. The most common causes for dirty circuit boards are water and damaged cases. A damaged case can let water and other debris to get into the circuit board, which can cause it to short. Water can also get through pins and vias, which are tiny connectors on the board. If you're able to open your key fob and aren't afraid of making a mess, we can remove the buttons from their sockets and then solder new ones. Also, you should check the connections between battery terminals. They can become extremely dirty and if they're loose the buttons might not work or may even remain in their down position. Soldering the terminals and buttons to their proper positions is usually enough to restore a non-working fob to working. Non-Remote Transponder Chips Sealed non-remote transponder chip are more durable than the remote fobs they are contained in, but they can still be damaged by a hole that is that is drilled into them or over by a lawnmower or door handle for a car. Failures of the fuse are typically to blame for non-remote chips failures. If you're handy enough to open a key fob that is sealed and are willing to put up with the mess, you can take off the circuit board and examine the fuse with an instrument to verify diode function. If you're not confident doing this, visit your local hardware store or the Oreilly's and they'll usually have an RF frequency tester that will determine whether the key fob is sending a signal. Programming Key fobs endure a lot of abuse and aren't completely indestructible. They can lose their pairing to the car's receiver because of shock or a low battery, requiring the reprogramming. key fob repair near me , or the main dealer can reprogram the keyfob and get it up and running again. In the rarer case that resetting or repairing your key fob fails it may be time to replace it all over again.