20 Important Questions To Ask About Remote Key Repair Before Buying It

How to Fix a Key Fob That isn't Working

If your key fob does not work then you can fix it by following just a few steps. The first step is to be sure that it's not your backup remote.

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

Battery

It is not uncommon for the battery inside a car key fob to degrade. It is relatively easy to replace the battery, however it is essential to ensure you use the right type; you can look in your owner's manual, or contact the dealer of the manufacturer to determine the type of battery you need. It's also a good idea to inspect the battery compartment carefully, as dead batteries sometimes leak harmful chemicals that can cause damage to the remote. If replacing the batteries doesn't solve the problem, it may be that there are other issues that require attention by a professional. If the buttons are stuck or broken for instance it could be necessary to take the remote apart and rework each component. You could also try reprogramming your vehicle to recognize the new key fob.

Buttons

Through frequent use, key fobs could wear out and become dirty. It is not unusual for buttons to stop functioning, or require a hard push to make them work. This can be frustrating, especially when you are away from home and you need to turn on your car. Even worn-out or malfunctioning buttons can be fixed with a little time and tools you already have at home.

First, make sure the batteries are charged correctly and that the indentation on the back of the button is filled. Then, open the remote with care and look over the circuit board. Look for signs of corrosion or other signs that buttons are worn out or damaged, like missing conductive paint. Use a Q-tip dipped into alcohol to gently clean any membrane contact that has worn out or has conductive paint missing. Don't rub too hard in order to damage the conductive paint, and block the button from firing when you press it.

Check the battery connector terminals for loose solder connections. Soldering them back to their original position will allow the button to function again if this is the situation. You can use the same procedure to restore functionality to any other loose connection within the fob.

Finally, if any of the buttons made of rubber on the front of the key fob aren't working or require a very difficult press to function, it is likely that the graphite disks at the back of the button are wearing out and require replacement. You can usually do this by rubbing a pen across the disks. car key repairs near me should bring the button to life.

If all of this doesn't help, or if the button still does not respond to a firm press It could be the case that the circuit board is damaged. It is possible to fix the issue by cleaning and re-soldering the fob but you should also have a spare in case it does not work.

Circuitry

The circuit board in your remote control could be dirty, regardless of whether the buttons on the key fob work or not. A thorough examination is usually enough to fix this issue. Broken cases and water are the most common causes of dirty boards. A damaged case can allow water and other debris to get in and short circuit the electronics. Water can also eat away at pins and connectors that are small on the board called via's.

If you're handy enough to open up your key fob, and you're not afraid of making a mess, we can de-solder the buttons and put new ones in their place. Also, it's worth checking the connections between the battery terminals. If they are loose, the buttons might not work or even become stuck in their down position. Soldering the terminals back to their original positions is often enough to bring a non-working fob to a working condition.

Non-Remote transponder chips

Sealed non-remote transponder chips are much more durable than the remote fobs that have them but they can be cracked by a hole that is drilled into them or over by a lawnmowers blade or car door handle. Failures of the fuse are typically to blame for non-remote chips failures.

If you're handy enough to open up the sealed key fob and can tolerate the mess, you can easily remove the circuit board and test the fuse using an instrument to verify diode function. If you're not comfortable doing this, visit your local hardware store or the Oreilly's and they will usually have a radio frequency tester that can let you know if the key fob is transmitting a signal.

Programming

Key fobs are subject to many abuses and aren't completely indestructible. They can lose their pairing with the receiver in your vehicle because of shocks or a low-battery, which requires changing the program. A professional auto locksmith or main dealer can reprogram your keyfob to get it up and running again. If, in the unlikely event that resetting and repairing your key fob isn't working, it could be time to replace it completely.