9 Lessons Your Parents Taught You About 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 by following a few simple steps. The first step is to be sure that it's not your backup remote.

If the backup is able to lock and unlock your car key repair company doors then there is likely an issue with the main remote. The majority of car remote key Repair key malfunctions are caused by battery or circuitry problems.

Battery

It is not unusual for the battery in the key fob for cars to degrade. It is relatively easy to replace the battery, however it is important to make sure that you choose the correct type that you can refer to your owner's manual or contact the dealer of the manufacturer to find out the kind of battery you require. It is also essential to examine the battery compartment, since dead batteries can leak caustic chemicals which can damage the remote. If replacing the battery does not solve the issue, there may be other issues that require attention from a professional. For example, if buttons seem stuck or broken it could be necessary to disassemble the remote and rework its parts. You can also try reprogramming the vehicle to recognize the new fob.

Buttons

From frequent use, key fobs can get dirty and worn. This is not unusual however, it can cause buttons to stop functioning or require a hard press for them to function. This can be very frustrating especially if you're away from home and you need to start your vehicle. Even broken or damaged buttons are often fixable with a bit of time and materials you already have at home.

First, make sure the batteries are up correctly and that the indentation on the back of the button is filled. Then, carefully open up the remote and look at the circuit board. Check for signs of corrosion or other indications that buttons are worn out or damaged, like missing conductive paint. Use a Q-tip that has been dipped in alcohol to gently clean any membrane contact that has worn out or where conductive paint is missing. Be careful not to rub too hard, as this can erode the conductive painting and prevent the button from firing when it is pressed.

Examine the battery connector's terminals carefully for any loose solder connections. If this is the case, simply soldering them back in place could restore functionality to the button. You can apply the same procedure to restore functionality to any other loose connection in the fob.

Finally, if any of the buttons made of rubber on the front of the key fob have stopped functioning or require a long press to function it is likely that the graphite disks at the back of the button are wearing down and require replacement. You can usually do this by rubbing a pen over the disks. This will bring the button back to life.

If all of this doesn't help or if the button does not respond to a hard push It could be because the circuit board has become damaged. It is possible to fix the issue by cleaning and re-soldering your fob however, you should have another spare in case it does not work.

Circuitry

If the key fob buttons are working the circuit board that is inside your remote might be dirty. A thorough inspection is usually enough to fix this issue. Broken and damaged cases are the most common causes of boards that are dirty. A broken case can let water and other debris to enter the circuit board, which can cause it to short. Water can also get through pins and vias, which are the tiny connectors on the board.

If you're handy enough to open your key fob and don't mind some mess, we can de-solder the buttons and then solder new ones in their place. Also, it's worth checking the connections between battery terminals. They can get very filthy and if they're not tight enough, the buttons might not function or even stay in their down position. Soldering terminals and buttons back into place is usually enough to restore a non-working fob to a working condition.

Non-Remote transponder chips

The non-remote chips that are sealed are more durable than remote fobs, however they are susceptible to cracking in the event of a hole being drilled in them or when a door handle for a car or lawnmower runs over them. Failures of the fuse are typically to blame for non-remote chips failures.

If you're handy enough to open a sealed non-remote key fob and are willing to put up with the mess, you can easily remove the circuit board and test the fuse using a multimeter for proper diode function. If you're not sure with this, you can go to your local Oreilly or hardware store and use their RF frequency tester. This will inform you whether the key repair shop fob transmits an RF signal.

Programming

Key fobs take lots of abuse and aren't indestructible. They may lose their connection to the receiver in your car due to shock or a low battery, which requires them to be reprogrammed. A professional auto key repair near me locksmith or dealer will be able to reprogram your key fob and get it working again. If resetting or replacing your key fob fails, you may need to replace it.