10 Things That Your Family Taught You About Remote Key Repair

How to Fix a Key Fob That isn't Working

If your key repair car fob isn't working There are a few simple steps that can be taken to fix it. The first step is to make sure it's not the backup remote key repair (click here!).

If the backup is able to lock and unlock your car remote key fob repair doors then there is likely an issue with the primary remote. The most common causes for car key remote repair near me remote key failure are circuitry or battery issues.

Battery

It is not uncommon for the battery in the key fob for cars to degrade. It is relatively easy to change out batteries, but it is essential to make sure that you choose the correct type; you can look in your owner's manual or contact the manufacturer's dealer to determine the type of battery you need. It is also important to examine the battery compartment, since batteries that are not working properly can release caustic chemicals which can damage the remote. If changing the batteries does not solve the issue it could be that there are other issues that require attention by a professional. If the buttons are stuck or broken, for example, it may be necessary take the remote apart and rework each component. It is also possible to reprogramme the vehicle to recognize the new remote.

Buttons

Due to frequent use, key fobs may get dirty and worn. It is not unusual to have buttons stop functioning, or require a hard press to get them working. This can be very frustrating, especially when you are away from your home and you need to start your car. Even worn-out or malfunctioning buttons can be fixed with a little time and the tools you already have at home.

First, ensure that the batteries are up correctly and that the indentation on the back of the button is filled. Then, carefully remove the remote and examine the circuit board. Examine for signs of rust or other indications that the buttons are worn out or damaged, such as missing paint that is conductive. Utilizing the Q-tip, dipped in alcohol to gently clean any membrane contacts that are damaged or have conductive paint missing. Do not rub too vigorously in order to damage the conductive paint and prevent the button from firing when you press it.

Examine the battery connector's terminals for loose solder connections. If this is the case, simply reconnecting them could restore function to the button. You can follow the same process 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 stop working or require a very long press to function it is likely the graphite disks on the back of the button are wearing out and require replacement. You can usually do this by rubbing a pencil over the disks. This should bring the button back to life.

If none of this is helpful, or if the button still doesn't respond to a hard push, then it may be because the circuit board itself has become damaged. It is possible to fix this issue by cleaning and re-soldering the fob but you should also have an extra in case it does not work.

Circuitry

If the key fob buttons are working the circuit board that is inside your remote may be dirty. A very thorough inspection is usually enough to fix this problem. Broken cases and water are the most frequent causes of dirty boards. A damaged case can allow water and other debris to get into the circuit board, causing it to short out. Water can also destroy pins and connectors that are small on the board, referred to as via's.

If you're able to open up your key fob and don't mind a little mess, we can take off the buttons and solder new ones in their place. It's also worth checking the battery terminal connections. If they are loose, the buttons might not function properly or become stuck in their down position. Soldering the terminals and buttons back in their place is generally all it takes to restore the key fob that is not working to working condition.

Non-Remote Transponder Chips

The non-remote chips sealed in a sealed case are more durable than remote fobs. However, they are susceptible to cracking in the event of a hole being drilled in them or in the event that a door handle of a car or lawnmowers plows over them. The majority of non-remote transponder chip malfunctions could be attributed to blowing fuses.

If you're not comfortable opening the key fob, you can take the circuit board off and use a multimeter to determine if the diode is working properly. If you're unsure about doing this, head 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 take lots of abuse and aren't completely indestructible. They can lose their pairing with the receiver inside your vehicle because of shocks or a low-battery, which requires the reprogramming. A professional auto locksmith or main dealer, can reprogram your keyfob and get it working again. In the rarer case that resetting and repairing your key fob isn't working, it could be time to replace it completely.