10 Facts About Remote Key Repair That Can Instantly Put You In Good Mood
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 your backup remote cannot lock and unlock the doors of your vehicle, it is likely that the main remote isn't working. The most common causes for 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 easy to replace batteries. However, it is important that you choose the right type. You can check your owner's guide or contact the manufacturer to find out the right kind. It's also a good idea to inspect the battery compartment with care since dead batteries may release caustic chemicals that could cause damage to the remote. If changing the batteries doesn't solve the problem it could be that there are other issues that require attention from a professional. For instance, if the buttons seem stuck or broken, 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
Key fobs can get filthy and worn out due to frequent use. This is not uncommon however it can cause buttons to cease functioning or require a long press to work. This can be a hassle particularly when you're away from your home and you need to turn on your car. Fortunately, even worn out or broken buttons can usually be fixed with just a bit of time and a few materials you have in the house.
First, ensure that the batteries are properly charged and that the indentation on the back of the button is filled. Then, carefully open the remote and look at the circuit board. Check for signs of corrosion or other indications that buttons are worn out or damaged, such as missing conductive paint. Utilizing the Q-tip, dipped in alcohol, gently clean any membrane contacts that have worn or where conductive paint is missing. Don't rub too hard in order to damage the conductive paint, and block the button from firing when pressed.
Examine the battery connector's terminals carefully for any loose solder connections. If this is the case, simply reconnecting them could restore function to the button. You can apply the same process to restore functionality to any other loose connection in the fob.
If any of the rubber buttons at the front of the keyfob aren't working or require being pressed very hard the graphite disks at the back of the button might have worn out and need to replaced. This can be done by rubbing a pencil on the disks, which will bring the button back to working.
If none of this is useful, or if the button still doesn't respond to a hard push It could be the case that the circuit board is damaged. It is possible to fix this by a quick clean and refitting, but it's ideal to have a spare fob in case this method fails for you.
Circuitry
Whether or not the keys fob buttons are functioning, the circuit board inside the remote could be dirty. A thorough examination is usually enough to fix this issue. The most common causes of dirty circuit boards is water and broken cases. www.g28carkeys.co.uk/car-key-repairs-near-me/ damaged case allows water and other debris to pass through and short out the electronics. Water can also get through pins and vias, which are tiny connectors that are found on the board.
If you're handy enough to remove your key fob and don't mind some mess, we can take off the buttons and put new ones in their place. It's also worth checking the connections between the battery terminals. They can become extremely dirty and if they're loose, the buttons may not work or even stay in their down position. Soldering the terminals, and putting the button back into place is typically all that's needed to return the key fob that is not working to working order.
Non-Remote Transponder Chips
Sealed non-remote transponder chips are much more durable than the remote fobs that have them but they can still be cracked by a hole that is drilled into them or over by a lawnmower or door handle for a car. Most of the time, non-remote transponder chip malfunctions can be blamed on blowing fuses.
If you are not comfortable opening the key fob, you can remove the circuitboard and utilize a multimeter to determine if the diode is functioning properly. If you're not comfortable doing this, go to your local hardware store or Oreilly's and they will usually have a RF frequency tester that will determine whether the key fob sending signals.
Programming
Key fobs aren't indestructible and can be damaged through a variety of causes. They may lose their connection with the receiver inside your vehicle because of shocks or a low battery, requiring changing the program. A professional auto locksmith, or the main dealer, can reprogram your keyfob and get it working again. In the rarer case that resetting or repairing your key fob fails, it could be time to replace it entirely.