A Productive Rant About Remote Key Repair
Wiki Article
How to Fix a Key Fob That isn't Working
If your key fob doesn't work A few easy steps can fix it. The first step is to be sure that it's not your backup remote.
If your backup remote can lock and unlock the doors of your car, then it is likely that the main remote is not working. The most common causes for key malfunctions for car remotes are battery or circuitry issues.
Battery
It is not unusual for the battery inside the car key fob to wear out. It is simple to replace the battery. However it is crucial to select the right type. You can check your owner's guide or contact the manufacturer to inquire about the right type. It's recommended to examine the battery compartment carefully since dead batteries may leak caustic chemicals that can harm the remote. If changing the battery doesn't solve the issue there may be additional issues requiring professional attention. If the buttons are stuck or broken, for example it could be necessary to disassemble the remote and rework each component. You can also try reprogramming the vehicle to recognize the new remote.
Buttons
Key fobs can get dirty and worn-out from repeated use. It is not common for buttons to cease working, or to require a hard push to make them work. This can be extremely frustrating, especially if you are away from home and need to start your car. Fortunately, even worn-out or damaged buttons can be fixed with a bit of time and some of the materials you have in the house.
First, ensure that the batteries are charged correctly and that the indentation on the back of the button is filled. Open the remote carefully and look over the circuit board. Look for signs of corrosion or other indications that the buttons are worn out or damaged, such as missing paint that is conductive. Utilizing a Q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol, gently clean any membrane contacts that have worn or where conductive paint is missing. Be careful not to rub too hard, because this could damage the conductive paint and stop the button firing when it is pressed.
Also, carefully check the battery connector terminals for an unattached solder connection. If this is the case, simply soldering them back in place may restore function to the button. The same procedure can be used to restore functionality to any other loose connections in the fob.
If, for instance, any of the buttons made of rubber that are on the front of the key fob stop working or require a hard press to work it is likely the graphite disks at the back of the button are wearing out and key repair shop near me need to be replaced. You can do this by rubbing a pen over the disks. This should bring the button to life.
If none of this is useful, or if the button still doesn't respond to a hard push It could be the case that the circuit board itself is damaged. This can be fixed by a quick clean, and here re-soldering, but it is ideal to have a spare fob in case this method does not work for you.
Circuitry
Whether or not the keys fob buttons are functioning the circuit board in your remote may be dirty. A very thorough inspection is usually enough to fix this problem. Water and broken cases are the most frequent causes of dirty boards. A broken case allows water and other debris to get in and short out the electronics. Water can also damage pins and vias, which are small connectors that are found on the board.
If you're handy enough to remove your key fob, and you're not afraid of a little mess, we can de-solder the buttons and put new ones in their place. It's also worth looking at the battery terminal connections. If they're loose, the buttons could not function or get stuck 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 the remote fobs they are contained in, but they can still be cracked by a hole made in them or pushed over by a lawnmowers or car door handle. Most of the time, non-remote transponder chips fail, and this could be attributed to an exploded fuse.
If you're handy enough to open a key fob that is sealed and are able to bear the mess, you can easily remove the circuit board and get more info test the fuse using here a multimeter for proper diode function. If you're not comfortable with this, you can visit your local Oreilly or hardware store and utilize their RF frequency tester. This will let you know whether the key fob transmits an RF signal.
Programming
Key fobs are not indestructible and are susceptible to damage through a variety more info of causes. They can lose their pairing to the receiver in your car due to shock or a low battery, which calls for the reprogramming. A professional auto locksmith, or the main dealer, can reprogram your keyfob to get it working again. In the rarer case that resetting and repairing your key fob isn't working it may be time to replace it completely.