An Key Repair Success Story You'll Never Believe

How to Repair a Remote Key

Although most remote key fobs boast impressive battery life, they will eventually degrade. Sometimes it's as simple as changing the batteries, but occasionally there are more serious issues.

Take the remote apart and clean the buttons. Then bend them in and out. These methods could be all you need to get your key fob back in working order.

Battery

If the fob continues to working it is possible to swap out the CR2025 or CR2032 battery. If not, look at the battery terminals and buttons to see if there are any parts that are loose. The terminals and buttons can be repaired by soldering them back into place, but you'll need to know exactly what type of battery the fob is using.

If the battery isn't the problem you can try a backup key fob to see if you can unlock or start your vehicle with it. If you're able to, it's probably time to replace your primary fob. If not, you will need to have a professional examine it to find the issue. It could be as simple as reprogramming it, or require different types of repairs. There's also how to repair car key fob that your vehicle forgotten your fob that you can fix yourself.

Case

The case of a remote key is the outer plastic housing and typically comes with the button pad replacement. It is important to use a new case, as the original case is likely to be pretty grungy and it is crucial that the circuit board is set correctly inside the case. The circuit board is responsible for the operation of the key fob. It can be tested using a standard multimeter by setting it to RF (radio frequency) mode and holding a scanner tuned to the same frequency the key fob is using next to it, watching for pulsing signals when a button presses.

Another thing to look at is the button contact points on the keypad, which might be loose or damaged over time. By carefully re-soldering them back into place can often return them to their original function unless they completely snap off.

Buttons

If your key fob buttons don't work anymore or are difficult to press for any reason, a motormite or dorman key housing replacement for your remote can be purchased for a low price online for the year/make/model you have. Then, pop the circuit board out of the old case and insert it into the new one. In some cases you may have to move the board slightly. Then, you can use aluminum foil with double sided tape to adhere it to the black contact points on the buttons.

Programming

The key fob is paired with the receiver of your vehicle, and this connection can become corrupted. A professional will examine your car to determine the year, make, and model. how to repair car key fob 'll then use specialist equipment to recouple or program an unmodified transponder chip or fob (or clone the key if possible). They will then test the remote to ensure that it works.

It is crucial to be cautious when reprogramming an unprogrammed key, since the process is often complicated and different brands require slightly different steps. It is easy to miss a crucial step or to take too long to exit the programming mode. To avoid the risk of damaging your car, it is best to employ a professional who has extensive knowledge of the security system of your vehicle. Some key programming tools can also detect diagnostic trouble codes on your vehicle. This can help you repair or troubleshoot other issues.