The Most Sour Advice We ve Ever Seen About Remote Key Repair Remote Key Repair

How to Fix a Key Fob That isn't Working

If your key fob doesn't work and you're not sure why, you can fix it with just a few steps. The first step is to make sure it's not the backup remote.

If your backup remote cannot lock and unlock the doors of your car, then it is likely that the main remote isn't working. The most common causes for key malfunctions for car remotes are issues with the circuitry or battery.

Battery

It is not uncommon to find a battery on a key fob for cars to wear out. It is easy to replace batteries. However, it is important that you choose the right kind. You can refer to the owner's manual or contact the manufacturer to inquire about the right kind. It's recommended to inspect the battery compartment thoroughly, as dead batteries sometimes leak caustic chemicals that can harm 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 example, if buttons seem stuck or damaged, it may be necessary to take the remote apart and rework its components. You can also try reprogramming your vehicle to recognize the new key fob.

Buttons

Due to frequent use, key fobs can become worn and dirty. It is not uncommon for buttons to stop functioning, or require a long press to make them work. This can be very frustrating, especially when you are away from home and you need to turn on your car. Fortunately, even worn out or broken key repair near Me malfunctioning buttons can often be fixed with a little time and a few items you might already have in the house.

First, make sure that the batteries have been correctly placed and that the indentation at the back of the button is filled. Take the remote apart and inspect the circuit board. Examine for signs of rust or other indications that buttons are worn out or damaged, like missing the conductive paint. Then, using a Q-tip that has been dipped in rubbing alcohol, gently clean any membrane contacts that have worn or have conductive paint missing. Avoid rubbing too hard, since this could cause damage to the conductive painting and prevent the button from firing when it is pressed.

Also, make sure to inspect the battery connector's terminals for a loose solder connection. If this is the case, simply connecting them back can restore functionality to the button. You can apply the same process to restore functionality to any other loose connection inside the fob.

In the end, if any of the buttons made of rubber that are on the front of the key fob aren't working or require a hard press to work it is likely that the graphite disks that are on the back of the button are wearing out and require replacement. You can do this by rubbing a pen over the disks. This should bring the button to life.

If none of this is helpful, or if the button still doesn't respond to a firm press, then it may be that the circuit board is damaged. This can sometimes be repaired with a quick clean and Car Keys Repairs Near Me re-soldering, but it is recommended to have an additional fob in case this method fails for you.

Circuitry

Whether or not the keys fob buttons are functioning the circuit board in your remote may be dirty. This issue can be fixed by a thorough inspection. The most frequent causes of dirty circuit boards is water and Broken Key Repair Near Me cases. A broken case allows water and other debris to get in and short circuit the electronic components. Water can also get through pins and vias, which are tiny connectors on the board.

If you're handy enough to open your key fob repair fob and aren't afraid of some mess, we can take off the buttons and then solder new ones in their place. It's also worth looking at the battery terminal connections. They can become very dirty and if they're loose, the buttons might not work or may even remain in their down position. Soldering the terminals back into place is usually enough to return a malfunctioning fob back to working.

Non-Remote transponder chips

The sealed non-remote chips are more durable than remote fobs. However, they can be cracked when a hole is made in them, or in the event that a door handle of a car or lawnmower runs over them. Most of the time non-remote transponder chip failures can be attributed to blowing fuses.

If you're not confident opening the key fob, broken key repair Near me you may remove the circuitboard and use a multimeter to verify that the diode is working properly. If you're not comfortable doing this, visit your local hardware store or Oreilly's and they'll usually have a radio frequency tester that can let you know if the key fob is sending a signal.

Programming

Key fobs endure many abuses and aren't impervious to damage. They may lose their connection to the car's receiver due to shock or low battery, which requires them to be reprogrammed. A professional auto locksmith, or the main dealer can reprogram your key fob and get it back working again. If resetting or fixing your key fob fails it may be necessary to replace it.