9 Lessons Your Parents Taught You About Remote Key Repair

How to Fix a Key Fob That isn't Working

If your key fob isn't functioning, a few easy steps can fix it. First, ensure that it's not the backup remote.

If the backup remote is able to lock and unlock your car doors then there's a likely issue with the primary remote key repair (use Tyc here). The most common causes for mobile key repair malfunctions for car remotes are circuitry or battery issues.

Battery

It is not unusual to find a battery on a car key fob to degrade. It is quite simple to replace batteries, but it is essential to ensure that you use the right type and you can consult your owner's manual or contact the dealer for the manufacturer to find out what kind of battery you need. It's also a good idea to inspect the battery compartment carefully since dead batteries may leak caustic chemicals that can cause damage to the remote. If changing the battery doesn't fix the issue there may be additional issues that require attention from a professional. For example, if buttons appear stuck or broken It may be necessary to disassemble the remote and rework its components. You can also try reprogramming your car to recognize the new key fob.

Buttons

From frequent use, key fobs may wear out and become dirty. It is not common to have buttons stop working, or to require a hard press to get them working. This can be very frustrating particularly if you're away from home and need to start your vehicle. Even malfunctioning or worn-out buttons can be fixed with a bit of time and tools you already have at home.

First, verify that the batteries are correctly placed and that the indentation at the back of the button is filled. Then, carefully open the remote and examine the circuit board. Examine for signs of rust or other indications that the buttons are worn or damaged, such as missing the conductive paint. Use the Q-tip, dipped in rubbing alcohol, gently clean any membrane contacts that are damaged or have conductive paint missing. Avoid rubbing too hard, since this could cause damage to the conductive painting and prevent the button firing when it is pressed.

Examine the battery connector's terminals for loose solder connections. Soldering them back in place will restore the button's functionality in the event that this is the situation. The same method can be used to restore function to any other loose connections within the fob.

Finally, if any of the buttons made of rubber that are on the front of the key fob aren't functioning or require a long press to function it is likely that the graphite disks on the back of the button are wearing 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 this is helpful, or if the button still does not respond to a hard push, then it may be because the circuit board itself has become damaged. This can be fixed by a quick clean, and refitting, but it's best to have an extra fob on hand in the event that this method doesn't work for you.

Circuitry

The circuit board of your remote control could be dirty, regardless of whether the buttons on the key fob function or not. A very thorough inspection will usually resolve this issue. Water and broken car key repair cases are the most frequent causes of boards that are dirty. A damaged case could allow water and other debris into the circuit board, which can cause it to short out. 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 an mess, you can take the buttons out of their sockets and then solder new ones. Also, it's worth checking the connections between the battery terminals. If they're loose, the buttons could not function or get stuck in their down position. Soldering the terminals back to their original positions is often enough to restore a non-working fob to a working condition.

Non-Remote Transponder Chips

The non-remote chips that are sealed are more durable than their remote fobs. However, they can be cracked in the event of a hole being drilled into them or if a car key immobiliser repair door handle or lawnmower runs over them. Failures of the fuse are typically to blame for non-remote chips failures.

If you're not comfortable opening the ignition key repair near me fob, you can take the circuit board off and use a multimeter to verify that the diode is functioning properly. If you don't feel comfortable with this, you can visit your local Oreilly or hardware store and test their RF frequency tester. This will tell you whether the mobile key fob repair fob is sending a signal.

Programming

Key fobs aren't impervious to destruction and are susceptible to damage by a lot of things. They may lose their connection to the car's receiver because of shock or a low battery, which calls for them to be reprogrammed. A professional auto locksmith or main dealer can reprogram your key fob and get it functioning again. If resetting or replacing your keyfob does not work it may be necessary to replace it.