A Provocative Remark About 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. The first step is to be sure it's not the backup remote.

If your backup remote is unable to lock and unlock the doors of your car, then it is likely that the main remote is not working. The most common causes of key malfunctions for car remotes are issues with the circuitry or battery.

Battery

It is not unusual to find a battery on a car key fob to get worn out. It is easy to replace a battery. However,  key fob repair  is important that you choose the right type. You can consult the owner's manual or contact the manufacturer to find out the right type. It is also important to examine the battery compartment, since batteries that are not working properly can release toxic chemicals that could damage the remote. If replacing the battery does not fix the issue there may be additional issues requiring professional attention. For example, if buttons appear stuck or damaged It may be necessary to disassemble the remote and rebuild its components. You could also try reprogramming your vehicle to recognize the new key fob.

Buttons

From repeated use, key fobs can become worn and dirty. It is not unusual for buttons to cease working, or to require a hard press to make them work. This can be frustrating particularly 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 tools you already have at home.

First, ensure that the batteries are properly charged and that the indentation on the back of the button is filled. Take the remote apart and examine the circuit board. Look for signs of corrosion or other signs that buttons are worn out or damaged, like missing conductive paint. Then, using the Q-tip, dipped in alcohol to gently clean any membrane contacts that have damaged or have conductive paint missing. Be careful not to rub too hard, since this could cause damage to the conductive paint and stop the button firing when pressed.

Also, be sure to check the battery connector's terminals for an unattached solder connection. If this is the case, simply soldering them back in place could bring back function to the button. You can use the same procedure to restore functionality to any other loose connection inside the fob.

If, for instance, any of the buttons made of rubber that are on the front of the key fob have stopped working or require a very hard press to work it is likely the graphite disks that are on the back of the button are wearing down and need to be replaced. You can usually do this by rubbing a pen over the disks. This will bring the button back to life.

If none of this is useful, or if the button doesn't respond to a hard press It could be that the circuit board has become damaged. It is possible to fix this by a quick clean, and re-soldering, but it is recommended to have an additional fob available in the event this method doesn't work for you.

Circuitry

The circuit board in your 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. Broken cases and water are the most frequent causes of dirty boards. A damaged case can let water and other debris to get into the circuit board, causing it to short out. Water can also eat through pins and vias, which are small connectors on the board.

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 checking the battery terminal connections. They can get very dirty and if they're loose the buttons might not work or even stay in their down position. Soldering the terminals and buttons into place is usually enough to return a malfunctioning fob back to working.

Non-Remote transponder chips

The non-remote chips sealed in a sealed case are more durable than their 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 lawnmower runs over them. The majority of non-remote transponder chip malfunctions can be attributed to a blown fuse.

If you're not comfortable opening the key fob, you may remove the circuitboard and use a multimeter to determine if the diode is operating properly. If you're not comfortable doing this, head to your local hardware store or Oreilly's, and they usually have an RFID frequency tester that can tell you whether the key fob sending a signal.

Programming

Key fobs endure many abuses and aren't indestructible. 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 dealer will be able to reprogram your key fob to get it functioning again. If resetting or repairing your keyfob does not work it is possible to replace it.