This Week's Top Stories About Remote Key Repair Remote Key Repair

How to Fix a Key Fob That isn't Working If your key fob isn't working There are a few simple steps that can be taken to fix it. The first step is to make sure that it's not your backup remote. If your backup remote is unable to unlock and lock the doors of your car, then it is most likely that the primary remote isn't functioning. Most car remote key failures result from battery or circuitry problems. Battery It is not unusual to find a battery on the car key fob to degrade. It is fairly easy to replace batteries, but it is crucial to ensure that you use the right type; you can look in your owner's manual, or contact the dealer for the manufacturer to determine the type of battery you need. It is also a good idea to examine the battery compartment thoroughly, as dead batteries sometimes leak harmful chemicals that can harm the remote. If replacing the battery does not solve the issue, there may be other issues requiring professional attention. For instance, if buttons appear stuck or damaged it could be necessary to take the remote apart and rework its parts. You could also try reprogramming your car to recognize the new key fob. Buttons Through repeated use, key fobs may wear out and become dirty. It is not common for buttons to cease functioning, or require a hefty press to get them working. key repair car can be frustrating, especially when you are away from home and have to switch on your car. Even broken or damaged buttons are often fixable with a little time and materials you already have at home. First, verify that the batteries have been correctly placed and that the indentation on the back of the button has been filled. Open the remote carefully and examine the circuit board. Look for indications of rust or other indications that the buttons are worn or damaged. For example, conductive paint may be missing. Use a Q-tip that has been dipped in rubbing alcohol to gently clean any membrane contact that is worn out or where conductive paint is missing. Do not rub too vigorously in order to damage the conductive paint and stop the button from firing when you press it. Also, be sure to check the battery connector terminals for any loose solder connections. Soldering them back into place will restore the button's functionality If this is the situation. You can follow the same method to restore functionality to any other loose connection inside the fob. In the end, if any of the buttons made of rubber on the front of the key fob stop working or require a very difficult press to function, it is likely that the graphite disks that are on the back of the button are deteriorating and need to be replaced. You can usually do this by rubbing a pencil over the disks. This should bring the button to life. If all of this doesn't help, or if the button does not respond to a hard press It could be that the circuit board itself has become damaged. This can sometimes be repaired by a quick clean, and refitting, but it's recommended to have an additional fob available in the event this method does not work for you. 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 will usually resolve this issue. Water and broken cases 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. Water can also destroy pins and connectors on the board, referred to as via's. If you are handy enough to open your key fob and aren't afraid of making some mess, we can remove the buttons from their sockets and solder in new ones. It's also worth looking at the battery terminal connections. If they're loose, the buttons may not work or even become stuck in their down position. Soldering the terminals and buttons back in their place is generally all that's required to return keys that are not in working condition. Non-Remote Transponder Chips Sealed non-remote transponder chips are more durable than remote fobs that contain them however they are still susceptible to being broken by a hole being that is drilled into them or over by a lawnmowers blade or door handle for a car. Most of the time, non-remote transponder chip malfunctions could be attributed to blowing fuses. If you're handy enough to open up a key fob that is sealed and are willing to put up with the mess, you can take off the circuit board and check the fuse with a multimeter to ensure that it is functioning as intended. function. If you're unsure about doing this, head to your local hardware store or Oreilly's and they'll usually have an RF frequency tester that will determine whether the key fob is sending signals. Programming Key fobs take lots of abuse and aren't impervious to damage. They can lose their pairing to the receiver in your car due to shock or low battery, which requires the reprogramming. A professional auto locksmith or main dealer can reprogram the keyfob and get it working again. In the event that resetting and repairing your key fob fails, it could be time to replace it entirely.