Who Is Responsible For An Remote Key Repair Budget? Twelve Top Ways To Spend Your Money
How to Fix a Key Fob That isn't Working If your key fob doesn't work 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 cannot unlock and lock the doors of your vehicle, it is likely that the main remote is not working. The most frequent causes of key problems with your car remote are issues with the circuitry or battery. Battery It is not unusual for the battery inside the car key fob to get worn out. It is fairly easy to change out batteries, but it is crucial to ensure that you choose the correct type that you can refer to the owner's manual or talk to the dealer of the manufacturer to determine the type of battery you require. It is also a good idea to examine the battery compartment with care because dead batteries can release caustic chemicals that could cause damage to the remote. If replacing the batteries doesn't solve the issue it could be because there are other issues that require professional attention. If the buttons are broken or stuck for instance it could be necessary to take the remote apart and rework each component. You could also try reprogramming the vehicle to recognize the new key fob. Buttons Key fobs can become dirty and worn-out from frequent use. It is not uncommon for buttons to cease working, or to require a hefty press to get them working. This can be very frustrating particularly if you're out of town and need to start your car. Fortunately, even worn out or damaged buttons can be fixed with a little time and a few items you have in the home. First, ensure that the batteries are charged correctly and that the indentation on the back of the button is filled. Then, carefully remove the remote and examine the circuit board. Examine for evidence of rust, or other signs the buttons are damaged or worn out. For example 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 has conductive paint missing. Do not rub too vigorously in order to damage the conductive paint and prevent the button from firing when pressed. Check central locking key repair for loose solder connections. If this is the case, simply reconnecting them may bring back function to the button. You can follow the same procedure to restore functionality to any other loose connection in the fob. If, for instance, any of the buttons made of rubber on the front of the key fob have stopped working or require a 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 pen across the disks. This should bring the button back to life. If all of this doesn't help or if the button still does not respond to a hard push, then it may be the case that the circuit board is damaged. It is possible to fix this by a quick clean, and replacing the solder, but it is ideal to have a spare fob on hand in the event that this method does not work for you. Circuitry Whether or not the keys fob buttons are functioning the circuit board in the remote could be dirty. A very thorough inspection will usually resolve this issue. Broken cases and water are the most common causes of boards that are dirty. A broken case allows water and other debris to get in and short circuit the electronics. Water can also damage pins and connectors that are small on the board, referred to as via's. If you are handy enough to open your key fob and don't mind making a mess, we can remove the buttons from their sockets and solder in new ones. It's also worth examining the battery terminal connections. They can become extremely dirty and if they're loose, the buttons may not work or may even remain in their down position. Soldering terminals and buttons back into place is usually enough to restore a non-working fob to working. Non-Remote transponder chips Sealed non-remote transponder chip are more durable than remote fobs that contain them but they can be damaged by a hole that is that is drilled into them or over by a lawnmowers blade or door handle for a car. Failures of the fuse are typically to blame for non-remote chip failures. If you're not confident opening the key fob, you can remove the circuitboard 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 the Oreilly's and they usually have an RF frequency tester that will let you know if the key fob is sending signals. Programming Key fobs are subject to lots of abuse and aren't completely indestructible. They may lose their connection to the receiver in your car because of shock or a low battery, which requires the reprogramming. A professional auto locksmith or main dealer, can reprogram your keyfob and get it up and running again. If resetting or replacing the keyfob is not working, you may need to replace it.