10 Quick Tips For Remote Key Repair

How to Fix a Key Fob That isn't Working If your key fob doesn't work, a few easy steps can be taken to fix it. First, make sure that it's not your backup remote. If the backup remote is able to lock and unlock your car door, it is most likely an issue with the primary remote. The most frequent causes of key problems with your car remote are issues with the circuitry or battery. Battery The battery inside the key fob may be worn out over time. It is fairly easy to change out batteries, but it is essential to ensure that you select the correct one; you can look in your owner's manual or contact the manufacturer's dealer to find out what kind of battery you need. ignition key repair near me is also crucial to examine the battery compartment, as dead batteries can leak toxic chemicals that could damage the remote. If changing the battery doesn't fix the problem, there may be other issues that require attention from a professional. For instance, if the buttons seem to be stuck or broken it could be necessary to disassemble the remote and rework its parts. It is also possible to reprogramme the vehicle to recognize the new fob. Buttons Key fobs can get dirty and worn out from repeated use. This is not unusual however it can cause buttons to cease working or require a very difficult press to get them to function. This can be frustrating especially when you're away from your home and need to switch on your car. Even malfunctioning or worn-out buttons are often fixable with a little effort and materials you already have at home. First, make sure the batteries are charged correctly and that the indentation on the back of the button is filled. Then, open the remote with care and inspect the circuit board. Check for indications of rust or other signs the buttons are damaged or worn out. For instance the paint that conducts electricity could be missing. Use a Q-tip, dipped in alcohol to gently clean any membrane contact that is worn-out or has conductive paint missing. Avoid rubbing too hard as this can erode the conductive painting and prevent the button from firing when it is pressed. Also, carefully check the battery connector's terminals for an unattached solder connection. Soldering them back in place will restore the button's functionality in the event that this is the situation. You can follow the same process to restore functionality to any other loose connection inside the fob. In the end, if any of the rubber buttons on the front of the key fob have stopped working or require a very long press to function it is likely that the graphite disks on the back of the button are wearing out and require replacement. You can do this by rubbing a pencil over the disks. This should bring the button back to life. If all of this doesn't help, or if the button doesn't respond to a hard press It could be that the circuit board itself is damaged. It is possible to fix the issue by cleaning and re-soldering your fob but you should also have a spare in case it doesn't work. Circuitry The circuit board inside your remote control may be dirty, regardless of whether the buttons on the key fob are working or not. A very thorough inspection is often enough to resolve this issue. The most common causes of dirty circuit boards are water and damaged cases. A damaged case allows water and other debris to enter and short out the electronic components. Water can also damage pins and small connectors on the board called via's. If you're handy enough to remove your key fob and aren't afraid of making a mess, we can de-solder the buttons and solder new ones in their place. Also, it's worth checking the connections between the battery terminals. If they're loose, the buttons may not work or even become stuck in their down position. Soldering terminals and buttons back to their proper positions is usually enough to bring a non-working fob to a working condition. Non-Remote Transponder Chips The sealed non-remote chips are more durable than remote fobs, but they are susceptible to cracking in the event of a hole being drilled into them or when a door handle for a car or lawnmowers plows over them. Most of the time non-remote transponder chip malfunctions can be blamed on a blown fuse. If you are not comfortable opening the key fob, you can remove the circuitboard and utilize a multimeter to verify that the diode is working correctly. If you don't feel comfortable with this, go to your local Oreilly or hardware store and utilize their RF frequency tester. This will inform you whether the key fob sends a signal. Programming Key fobs endure lots of abuse and aren't completely indestructible. They can lose their pairing with the receiver in your vehicle due to shocks or low battery, requiring changing the program. A professional auto locksmith or dealer will be able to reprogram your key fob and get it working again. If resetting or repairing your keyfob does not work it is possible to replace it.