10 Tell-Tale Signs You Need To Find A New 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 be taken to fix it. The first step is to make sure it's not the backup remote.

If the backup is able to lock and unlock your car doors it is most likely an issue with the primary remote. The most common causes of key malfunctions for car remotes are battery or circuitry issues.

Battery

It is not uncommon for the battery inside a car key fob to wear out. It is easy to replace the battery. However, it is important to select the right type. You can refer to your owner's guide or contact the manufacturer to determine the right kind. It is recommended to inspect the battery compartment with care since dead batteries may release caustic chemicals that could cause damage to the remote. If changing the battery doesn't fix the issue, there may be other issues that require attention from a professional. For broken car key repair , if buttons seem stuck or broken It may be necessary to disassemble the remote and rework its parts. You could also try reprogramming the vehicle to recognize the new fob.

Buttons

Key fobs can become filthy and worn out due to frequent use. This is not atypical however it can cause buttons to cease working or require a hard press for them to work. This can be very frustrating especially when you're away from home and need to switch on your car. Fortunately, even worn-out or damaged buttons can be fixed with a bit of time and some of the materials you may already have around the house.

First, check that the batteries are charged correctly and that the indentation on the back of the button is filled. Then, carefully open the remote and inspect the circuit board. Look for signs of corrosion or other indications that buttons are worn out or damaged, such as missing conductive paint. Utilizing a Q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol, gently clean any membrane contacts that are damaged or where conductive paint is missing. Do not rub too vigorously in order to damage the conductive paint and stop the button from firing when pressed.

Also, be sure to check the battery connector's terminals to ensure any loose solder connections. Soldering them back to their original position will restore the button's functionality in the event that this is the case. You can use the same procedure to restore functionality to any other loose connection inside the fob.

In the end, if any of the rubber buttons on the front of the key fob have stopped working or require a difficult press to function it is likely that the graphite disks on the back of the button are deteriorating and need to be replaced. This can be done by rubbing a pencil over the disks. This should bring the button back to working.

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

Circuitry

Whether or not the key fob buttons are working the circuit board in your remote may be dirty. This problem can be resolved by a thorough inspection. The most common causes for dirty circuit boards are water and damaged cases. A damaged case can allow water and other debris to enter the circuit board, which can cause it to short. Water can also eat through pins and vias, which are tiny connectors on the board.

If you're handy enough to open up your key fob and aren't afraid of a little mess, we can de-solder the buttons and solder new ones in their place. It's also worth checking the connections between battery terminals. If they are loose, the buttons could not work or even become stuck in their down position. Soldering the terminals back into place is usually enough to restore a non-working fob back to working.

Non-Remote Transponder Chips

Sealed non-remote transponder chips are much more durable than remote fobs they are contained in, but they can still be damaged by a hole that is drilled into them or run over by a lawnmower or door handle for a car. Failures of the fuse are typically to blame for non-remote chip failures.

If you're not comfortable opening the key fob, you may take the circuit board off and use a multimeter to verify that the diode is working properly. If you're not sure with this, go to your local Oreilly or hardware store and test their RF frequency tester. This will inform you whether the key fob sends an RF signal.

Programming

Key fobs are subject to lots of abuse and aren't completely indestructible. They may lose their connection to the car's receiver due to shock or a low battery, which calls for them to be reprogrammed. car remote key repair near me , or the main dealer, can reprogram your keyfob to get it working again. If, in the unlikely event that resetting or repairing your key fob doesn't work it could be the time to replace it all over again.