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, ensure that it's not your backup remote.

If the backup can lock and unlock your car door, it is most likely an issue with the main remote. The most common causes for key problems with your car remote are issues with the circuitry or battery.

Battery

It is not unusual for the battery in the key fob for cars to degrade. It is fairly easy to replace the battery, however it is crucial to ensure you select the correct one and you can consult your owner's manual, or contact the dealer of the manufacturer to determine the type of battery you require. It is also crucial to check the battery compartment as dead batteries can leak toxic chemicals that could damage the remote. If replacing the batteries doesn't solve the issue it could be because there are other issues that require attention by a professional. For instance, if buttons appear stuck or damaged It may be necessary to disassemble the remote and rework its parts. You can also try reprogramming your car to recognize the new key fob.

Buttons

Key fobs can become dirty and worn out from repeated use. It is not uncommon for buttons to cease working, or to require a hefty press to make them work. This can be very frustrating especially if you're away from home and you need to start your vehicle. Even broken or damaged buttons can be fixed with a little effort and materials 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. Open the remote carefully and inspect the circuit board. Check for signs of corrosion or other signs that the buttons are worn out or remote Key Repair damaged, such as missing conductive paint. Use a Q-tip dipped in alcohol, gently clean any membrane contacts that are damaged or have conductive paint missing. Do not rub too vigorously, as this could erode the conductive paint and prevent the button from firing when pressed.

Also, be sure to check the battery connector's terminals to ensure any loose solder connections. Soldering them back in place will allow the button to function again if this is the situation. The same process can be used to restore function to any other loose connections within the fob.

Finally, if any of the rubber buttons on the front of the key fob stop working or require a very hard press to work, it is likely that the graphite disks on the back of the button are deteriorating and require replacement. It is usually done by rubbing a pen over the disks. This will bring the button back to life.

If none of these solutions work, Remote Key Repair or if you still cannot get the button to respond when pressed hard, it could be that the circuitry has failed. It is possible to fix the issue by cleaning and re-soldering the fob, but you should have another spare in case it does not work.

Circuitry

Whether or not the key fob buttons function the circuit board in the remote could be dirty. This problem can be resolved through a thorough examination. The most frequent causes of dirty circuit boards is water and damaged cases. A damaged case can allow water and other debris to pass through and short out the electronic components. Water can also eat away at pins and connectors that are small on the board, referred to as via's.

If you're handy enough to remove your key fob and don't mind making a mess, we can de-solder the buttons and then solder new ones in their place. It's also worth checking the battery terminal connections. They can become very dirty and if they're loose, the buttons may not work or even stay in their down position. Soldering the terminals back to their proper positions is usually enough to restore a non-working fob to a working condition.

Non-Remote transponder chips

Sealed non-remote key Repair transponder chips are much more durable than the remote key repairs fobs they are contained in, but they can still be cracked by a hole that is drilled into them or over by a lawnmower or car door handle. Most of the time non-remote transponder chips fail, and this could be attributed to a blown fuse.

If you're handy enough to remove a sealed non-remote key fob and are willing to put up with the mess, you can easily remove the circuit board and examine the fuse using a multimeter to ensure that it is functioning as intended. function. If you don't feel comfortable with this, go to your local Oreilly or hardware store and use their RF frequency tester. This will tell you whether the key fob sends a signal.

Programming

Key fobs aren't indestructible and are susceptible to being damaged through a variety of causes. They can break their connection with the receiver inside your vehicle due to shocks or low battery, requiring reprogramming. A professional auto locksmith or a main dealer can reprogram your key fob and get it functioning again. If resetting or replacing the keyfob is not working it is possible to replace it.