Car Key Button Repair

A damaged car key button can be frustrating. You may need to call an emergency locksmith service that is available 24 hours a day for assistance or purchase a replacement remote.

However, you may be in a position to save money by repairing an old key fob rather than replacing it. This is especially true when an old switch or damaged contacts are the reason for the issue.

Battery

If the buttons on your key fob do not respond when you pressing them, this could be a sign the battery has died or is about to reach the end of life. It's easy to replace the battery yourself instead of hiring a locksmith or dealership.

Locate the battery compartment first. It is usually located on the backside of the key fob and may be hidden behind a slide-out cover or an access point that opens when you push a button. Once the compartment is exposed then you will find the small battery. It is usually shaped like coins and identified with an minus and plus sign. Take the battery out and insert a new one in its place, ensuring that the plus and minus signs are aligned correctly.

Close the compartment and snap together the two halves of your key fob. Be sure to align the two pieces and secure them correctly prior to closing the door and testing your keys. To ensure that the buttons work properly, press any of them.

If your remote key fob stops working after replacing the battery, it may be suffering from other issues that require a different kind of repair car key. Dropping the fob in a puddle could cause it to stop working. Alternatively, it might be experiencing an internal electrical failure or might need to be deprogrammed by an expert or locksmith. Find out what's wrong with your key fob using these other common car troubleshooting techniques.

Switches

Based on the year and the manufacturer, there are various types of switches that are used in the car keyfob. The older style key is equipped with an electronic chip that is visible in the case. The modern keys function by transmitting signals to your car. The buttons on a key may be worn out or damaged due to regular use, irrespective of the model. The result is they become difficult to press or even unresponsive. If you try to force the button to work the button, it could cause damage and potentially stop the key from being able to start your vehicle in the future.

If you're unable to get your key to function, try changing the batteries. If that doesn't work, you may need to clean the key's fob and re-adjust the switches. These tiny electronic switches are more prone than larger parts of the key to break since they are constantly tossed about.

The switches feel rubbery and are coated with a film that conducts electricity. The film is prone to fade over time. However, they're a small part that is inexpensive to replace. They're soldered to the circuit board, therefore you need to carefully remove the old ones without damaging any other part of the circuit. Then you can solder in the new ones and reassemble your key fob.

One way to prevent your car key fob from being damaged is to avoid using it for longer than a couple of hours at a time, and to avoid leaving it in visible locations where it can be seen. Also, you should locate a safe place to store your keys when you aren't using it.

If you've already tried cleaning your key fob or replacing the battery, and the issue continues to persist it's probably the right time to seek out the services of a locksmith. A professional locksmith can test your key's frequency to see whether your car is capable of communicating. They can also open and replace microswitches, alter cases, and more.

Outer Case

Key fobs spend much of its time bouncing around and when the buttons aren't able to move up and down within the case, they could become stuck or break. If cleaning the case using rubbing alcohol and a cotton swab does not work, it could be necessary to remove the case. If the contact points where the buttons touch don't fit well or are worn out, adjusting them could be the only solution to fix the problem.

Some keys use buttons made of rubber, which wear away over time. The buttons made of rubber can become difficult to press because they stretch, and nails may scratch them. This could cause the key to fail and, in this situation, it's time to get the replacement of the case or buttons. This repair car remote control key involves taking apart your remote, finding the button switches on the board, then heating the solder, and carefully remove them. The circuit board is soldered with new buttons. The case can be reassembled and the key blade of the horseshoe can be attached. The new buttons should be tightly fitted inside the case to avoid them falling out.

Inner Case

Since your key fob is prone to get jostled around and may sometimes be accidentally pressed, the buttons inside can become stuck or broken car key repair over time. Utilizing metallic tape and a hole-punch, you can solve this issue in the event your car isn't at home and the key fob isn't working and you are unable to open the doors, but not to start the engine. This quick fix could allow you to return safely to your vehicle to finish your journey.