9 . What Your Parents Teach You About Remote Key Repair

How to Fix a Key Fob That isn't Working

If your key fob isn't functioning There are a few simple steps that can fix it. First, ensure that it's not the backup remote.

If the backup can lock and unlock your car remote key repair shop near me doors then there is likely an issue with the primary remote. The most common causes for key malfunctions for car key immobiliser repair remotes are issues with the circuitry or battery.

Battery

It is not unusual for the battery inside the electronic car key repair near me key fob to degrade. It is relatively easy to replace a battery, although it is crucial to ensure that you select the correct one that you can refer to your owner's manual or contact the dealer for the manufacturer to find out the kind of battery you need. It's recommended to examine the battery compartment with care because dead batteries can release caustic chemicals that could cause damage to the remote key repair. If replacing the batteries doesn't solve the issue it could be that there are other issues that require attention from a professional. If buttons are stuck or broken for instance, it may be necessary disassemble the remote and rework each component. You can also try reprogramming your vehicle to recognize the new key fob.

Buttons

Due to repeated use, key fobs could get dirty and worn. It is not uncommon for buttons to stop functioning, or require a hefty press to get them working. This can be very frustrating, especially when you are away from home and need to turn on your car. Even broken or damaged buttons are often fixable with a little time and the tools you already have at home.

First, check that the batteries are properly placed and that the indentation on the back of the button is filled. Then, open the remote with care and inspect the circuit board. Look for indications of rust or other signs the buttons are worn or damaged. For example there could be conductive paint missing. Use a Q-tip that has been dipped in alcohol to gently clean any membrane contacts that have become worn or where conductive paint is missing. Avoid rubbing too hard, because this could damage the conductive paint and block the button firing when it is pressed.

Also, be sure to check the battery connector terminals for a loose solder connection. If this is the case, simply soldering them back in place could restore function to the button. The same process can be used to restore function to any loose connections within the fob.

If any of the rubber buttons located at the front of the keyfob aren't working or need to be pressed very hard the graphite disks on the back of the button may have worn out and will need to replaced. You can usually do this by rubbing a pen over the disks. This should bring the button to life.

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

Circuitry

The circuit board in the remote control could be dirty regardless of whether the buttons on the key fob are working or not. A thorough inspection is often enough to resolve this issue. The most frequent causes of dirty circuit boards are water and damaged cases. A damaged case can allow water and other debris to get into the circuit board, which can cause it to short out. Water can also damage pins and connectors that are small on the board called via's.

If you're handy enough to open your key fob and don't mind some mess, we can de-solder the buttons and solder new ones in their place. It's also worth checking the battery terminal connections. If they are loose, the buttons could not work or even become stuck in their down position. Soldering the terminals, and putting the button back into place is typically all that's required to return the key fob that is not working to functioning condition.

Non-Remote Transponder Chips

Sealed non-remote transponder chips are much more durable than remote fobs that contain them however they are still susceptible to being cracked by a hole drilled into them or run over by a lawnmowers blade or car key repairs door handle. Fuse failures are usually to blame for non-remote chip failures.

If you're handy enough to remove the sealed key fob and can tolerate the mess, you can easily remove the circuit board and test the fuse with an instrument to verify diode function. If you don't feel comfortable with this, you can go to your local Oreilly or hardware store and test their RF frequency tester. This will inform you whether the key fob sends signals.

Programming

Key fobs aren't impervious to destruction and can be damaged by a lot of things. They can lose their pairing with the receiver in your vehicle because of shocks or a low-battery, which requires reprogramming. A professional auto key fob repair locksmith or a main dealer can reprogram your key fob to get it functioning again. If resetting or repairing your key fob fails, you may need to replace it.