How to Fix a Key Fob That isn't Working

If your key fob does not work and you're not sure why, you can fix it with just a few steps. First, ensure that it's not the backup remote.

If the backup remote is able to lock and unlock your car doors, keyrepair then there's a likely issue with the main remote. Most problems with car remote keys result from battery or circuitry problems.

Battery

It is not unusual to find a battery on a car key repair service key fob to wear out. It is fairly easy to change out batteries, but it is crucial to make sure that you choose the correct type that you can refer to your owner's manual, or contact the manufacturer's dealer to find out the kind of battery you require. It is also crucial to examine the battery compartment, as batteries that are not working properly can release toxic chemicals that could damage the remote. If replacing the batteries doesn't solve the issue it could be because there are other issues that require professional attention. If buttons are stuck or broken for instance, it may be necessary take the remote apart and rework each component. You can also try reprogramming your vehicle to recognize the new key fob.

Buttons

From frequent use, key fobs could wear out and become dirty. It is not uncommon for buttons to stop functioning, or require a hard push to make them work. This can be very frustrating, especially if you are out of town and need to start your vehicle. Fortunately, even worn out or malfunctioning buttons can often be fixed with just a bit of time and some of the materials you might already have in the home.

First, check that the batteries are up correctly and that the indentation on the back of the button is filled. Open the remote carefully and inspect the circuit board. Examine for evidence of rust, or keyrepair other signs the buttons have been damaged or worn. For example, conductive paint may be missing. Use a Q-tip dipped into alcohol to gently clean any membrane contact that has become damaged or where conductive painting is missing. Avoid rubbing too hard, because this could damage the conductive paint and stop the button firing when pressed.

Also, be sure to check the battery connector terminals for a loose solder connection. If this is the case, simply connecting them back could restore functionality to the button. The same procedure can be used to restore functionality to any other loose connections within the fob.

In the end, if any of the buttons made of rubber that are on the front of the key fob have stopped working or require a very long press to function, it is likely that the graphite disks at the back of the button are wearing out and need to be replaced. This can usually be done by rubbing a pencil on the disks. This should bring the button back to life.

If none of this is helpful or if the button still does not respond to a firm press, then it may be because the circuit board has become damaged. It is possible to fix this issue by cleaning and re-soldering the fob however, you should have another spare in case it doesn't work.

Circuitry

Whether or not the keys fob buttons are functioning the circuit board in your remote might be dirty. This problem can be resolved by a thorough inspection. The most frequent causes of dirty circuit boards is water and damaged cases. A damaged case could allow water and other debris to get into the circuit board, causing it to short out. Water can also damage pins and connectors on the board called via's.

If you're able to open up your key fob, and you're not afraid of making a mess, we can de-solder the buttons and put new ones in their place. It's also worth checking the connections between the battery terminals. If they're loose, the buttons could not function properly or become stuck in their down position. Soldering the terminals back to their proper positions is usually enough to bring a non-working fob to working.

Non-Remote transponder chips

The non-remote chips that are sealed are more durable than their remote fobs, however they are susceptible to breaking when a hole is made in them or keyrepair in the event that a door handle of a car or lawnmowers plows over them. Most of the time non-remote transponder chips fail, and this can be blamed on blowing fuses.

If you're handy enough to remove a sealed non-remote key fob and are willing to put up with the mess, you can remove the circuit board and examine the fuse using an instrument to verify diode function. If you're not confident doing this, visit your local hardware store or the Oreilly's and they usually have an RFID frequency tester that can let you know whether the key fob sending signals.

Programming

Key fobs aren't impervious to destruction and can be damaged by a lot of things. They can lose their pairing with the receiver inside your vehicle key repairs due to shocks or low-battery, which requires the reprogramming. A professional auto locksmith or main dealer can reprogram your keyfob to get it working again. If resetting or replacing your keyfob does not work it may be necessary to replace it.