How to Fix a Key Fob That isn't Working

If your key fob does not work then you can fix it by following a few simple steps. First, ensure that it's not your backup remote.

If the backup is able to lock and unlock your car doors, then there is likely an issue with the primary remote. The most frequent causes of car remote key failure are circuitry or battery issues.

Battery

It is not unusual for the battery in a car key repair shop near me key fob to degrade. It is easy to replace batteries. However it is essential that you choose the right kind. You can refer to the owner's manual or contact the manufacturer to determine the right type. It is also crucial to check 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 solve the issue, there may be other issues that require professional attention. For instance, if the buttons appear stuck or damaged it could be necessary to take the remote apart and rework its components. You could also try reprogramming your car to recognize the new key repair shop fob.

Buttons

Key fobs may become filthy and worn out due to frequent use. This is not atypical however, it can cause buttons to cease working or require a very long press to function. This can be a hassle, especially when you are away from home and need to start your car. Fortunately, even worn out or broken buttons can usually be fixed with a little time and a few items you may already have around the house.

First, ensure that the batteries are properly charged and that the indentation on the back of the button is filled. Then, carefully remove the remote and inspect the circuit board. Check for evidence of rust, or other signs the buttons have been damaged or worn. For example, conductive paint may be missing. Utilizing a Q-tip dipped in alcohol to gently clean any membrane contacts that have worn or have conductive paint missing. Avoid rubbing too hard, since this could cause damage to the conductive painting and prevent the button from firing when it is pressed.

Also, carefully check the battery connector terminals for a loose solder connection. If this is the case, simply connecting them back may bring back function to the button. You can follow the same process to restore functionality to any other loose connection in the fob.

If any of the rubber buttons at the front of the keyfob are not working or need to be pressing very hard, the graphite disks at the back of the button may have worn out and will need to replaced. This can be done by rubbing a pencil on the disks. This should bring the button back to its original state.

If none of these solutions work, or if you still are unable to get the button to respond when pressed hard, it could be that the circuitry is failing. This can be fixed by a quick clean and re-soldering, but it is recommended to have an additional fob in case this method does not work for you.

Circuitry

The circuit board inside your remote control could be dirty, regardless of whether the buttons on the key fob function or not. This issue can be fixed by a thorough inspection. Water and broken cases are the most frequent causes of boards that are dirty. A broken case can allow water and other debris to get into the circuit board, which can cause it to short out. Water can also destroy pins and connectors that are small on the board called via's.

If you're able to remove your key fob, and you're not afraid of some mess, we can de-solder the buttons and then solder new ones in their place. It's also worth looking at the battery terminal connections. They can become very filthy and if they're not tight enough, the buttons might not work or even stay in their down position. Soldering the terminals and button's back into place is typically all it takes to restore a non-working key fob to working condition.

Non-Remote Transponder Chips

Sealed non-remote transponder chips are much more durable than remote fobs that contain them but they can still be cracked by a hole that is drilled into them or over by a lawnmowers blade or car door handle. Most of the time, non-remote transponder chip malfunctions can be blamed on a blown fuse.

If you're not comfortable opening the key fob, you may remove the circuitboard and use a multimeter to verify that the diode is functioning correctly. If you're not comfortable with this, go to your local Oreilly or hardware store and Key repair use their RF frequency tester. This will inform you whether the key fob is sending a signal.

Programming

key repair fobs take a lot of abuse and aren't indestructible. They can lose their pairing to the receiver in your car due to shock or a low battery, requiring the reprogramming. A professional auto locksmith or main dealer can reprogram your key fob and get it functioning again. If resetting or fixing your key fob fails it may be necessary to replace it.