How to Fix a Key Fob That isn't Working

If your key fob doesn't work A few easy steps can fix it. First, make sure that it's not your backup remote.

If your backup remote cannot lock and unlock the doors of your vehicle, it is likely that the main remote isn't working. Most problems with car remote keys are caused by circuitry or battery issues.

Battery

It is not unusual to find a battery on a key fob for cars to wear out. It is fairly easy to change out a battery, although it is important to ensure that you choose the correct type; you can look in your owner's manual or contact the dealer of the manufacturer to find out the kind of battery you need. It's also a good idea to examine the battery compartment with care because dead batteries can leak caustic chemicals that can cause damage to the remote. If changing the battery doesn't solve the issue, there may be other issues that require professional attention. If buttons are stuck or broken for instance it might be necessary to disassemble the remote and rework each component. You can also try reprogramming the vehicle to recognize the new fob.

Buttons

Key fobs can get filthy and worn out due to frequent use. It is not unusual for buttons to cease functioning, or require a long press to make them work. This can be a huge hassle especially if you're away from home and you need to start your car. Even worn-out or malfunctioning buttons are often fixable with a little time and tools you already have at home.

First, make sure that the batteries are correctly inserted and that the indentation at the back of the button is filled. Open the remote carefully and examine the circuit board. Examine for signs of rust or other signs that the buttons are worn or Keyrepair damaged, like missing conductive paint. Then, keyrepair using the Q-tip, dipped in alcohol, gently clean any membrane contacts that have worn or where conductive paint is missing. Don't rub too hard in order to damage the conductive paint and stop the button from firing when you press it.

Also, carefully check the battery connector terminals for an unattached solder connection. If this is the case, simply reconnecting them may restore functionality to the button. You can use the same method to restore functionality to any other loose connection within the fob.

If any of the rubber buttons on the front of the keyfob aren't working or need to be pressing very hard the graphite disks at the back of the button may have worn out and will require replacement. 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 useful, or if the button still doesn't respond to a hard press It could be that the circuit board has gone bad. It is possible to fix this issue by cleaning and re-soldering the button however, you should have an extra in case it does not work.

Circuitry

The circuit board in your remote control could be dirty regardless of whether the buttons on the key repair car fob are working or not. A very thorough inspection will usually resolve this problem. The most frequent causes of dirty circuit boards are water and damaged cases. A broken case allows water and other debris to pass through and keyrepair short circuit the electronic components. Water can also get through pins and vias, which are small connectors that are found on the board.

If you're skilled enough to open your key fob and you don't mind making a mess, we can take the buttons out of their sockets and solder in new ones. It's also worth checking the connections between battery terminals. If they're loose, the buttons may not function properly or become stuck in their down position. Soldering the terminals back into place is usually enough to return a malfunctioning fob back to working.

Non-Remote transponder chips

The non-remote chips that are sealed are more durable than their remote fobs. However, they can be cracked if a hole is drilled in them or when a door handle for a car or lawnmowers plows over them. Most of the time, non-remote transponder chips fail, and this can be attributed to an exploded fuse.

If you're not comfortable opening the key fob, take the circuit board off and use a multimeter to determine if the diode is operating correctly. If you're not confident doing this, head to your local hardware store or Oreilly's, and they usually have an radio frequency tester that can tell you if the key fob is sending a signal.

Programming

key repair fobs endure many abuses and aren't completely indestructible. They may lose their connection with the receiver inside your vehicle because of shocks or a low battery, requiring changing the program. A professional auto locksmith or the main dealer can reprogram the key fob and get it back working again. If resetting or fixing your key fob fails it may be necessary to replace it.