3 Common Causes For Why Your Remote Key Repair Isn't Working (And How To Fix It)

How to Fix a Key Fob That isn't Working If your key fob doesn't work then you can fix it by following a few simple steps. The first step is to be sure that it's not the backup remote. If your backup remote can lock and unlock the doors of your car, it is likely that the primary remote is not working. The majority of car remote key malfunctions are caused by circuitry or battery problems. Battery It is not unusual for the battery in a key fob for cars to get worn out. It is quite simple to replace a battery, although it is important to make sure that you use the right type that you can refer to the owner's manual or talk to the dealer of the manufacturer to find out the kind of battery you require. remote car key repair near me is also essential to examine the battery compartment as dead batteries can leak caustic chemicals which can damage the remote. If replacing the batteries doesn't solve the issue, it may be that there are other issues that require attention from a professional. If buttons are damaged or stuck for instance, 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 From repeated use, key fobs could wear out and become dirty. This is not atypical, but it can cause buttons to stop working or require a long press to function. This can be very frustrating, especially if you are away from home and you need to start your car. Fortunately, even worn-out or malfunctioning buttons can often be fixed with a bit of time and some of the materials you might already have in the home. First, make sure that the batteries are correctly installed and that the indentation on the back of the button has been filled. Open the remote carefully and examine the circuit board. Check for signs of rust or other indications that the buttons have been worn or damaged. For instance the paint that conducts electricity could be missing. Use a Q-tip that has been dipped in alcohol to gently clean any membrane contact that is damaged or where conductive paint is missing. Avoid rubbing too hard, because this could damage the conductive paint and block the button firing when the button is pressed. Check the battery connector terminals carefully for any loose solder connections. Soldering them back into place will allow the button to function again If this is the case. You can apply the same process to restore functionality to any other loose connection inside the fob. If any of the rubber buttons on the front of the keyfob aren't functioning or require to be pressing very hard, the graphite disks at the back of the button may have worn out and will require replacement. You can usually do this by rubbing a pencil over the disks. This should bring the button to life. If none of this is useful or if the button does not respond to a hard press It could be that the circuit board itself has gone bad. It is possible to fix this by a quick clean, and re-soldering, but it is recommended to have an additional fob on hand in the event that this method fails for you. Circuitry The circuit board inside the remote control could be dirty, regardless of whether the buttons on the key fob are working or not. A very thorough inspection will usually resolve this problem. Broken cases and water are the most common causes of dirty boards. A damaged case allows water and other debris to get in and short out the electronic components. Water can also eat through pins and vias, which are tiny connectors found on the board. If you're handy enough to remove your key fob and aren't afraid of a little mess, we can de-solder the buttons and solder new ones in their place. It's also worth checking the connections between the battery terminals. They can get very dirty and if they're loose the buttons may not work or even stick in their down position. Soldering the terminals and button's back in place is usually all that's needed to return a non-working key fob to working condition. Non-Remote transponder chips Sealed non-remote transponder chips are more durable than the remote fobs that contain them but they can still be broken by a hole being made in them or pushed over by a lawnmowers or car door handle. Most of the time, non-remote transponder chip malfunctions can be attributed to a blown fuse. If you are not comfortable opening the key fob, take the circuit board off and use a multimeter to determine if the diode is working correctly. If you're not comfortable doing this, go to your local hardware store or Oreilly's and they will usually have a RF frequency tester that will tell you whether the key fob is sending signals. Programming Key fobs are not indestructible and are susceptible to being damaged by a lot of things. They may lose their connection to the receiver in your car because of shock or a low battery, which calls for them to be reprogrammed. A professional auto locksmith or a main dealer can reprogram your key fob and get it back up and running. If, in the unlikely event that resetting or repairing your key fob fails it may be time to replace it completely.