How to Repair a Remote Key

Although most remote key fobs come with impressive battery lives they will eventually wear out. Sometimes it's as easy as changing the batteries, but sometimes there are more serious problems.

Take apart the remote and clean the buttons. Then, flex them in and out. These methods could be all you need to get your key fob working properly.

Battery

If the fob continues to functioning, you can swap out the CR2025 or CR2032 battery. If not, you can examine the battery terminals or buttons to see if there are any parts that are loose. You should be able to solder the buttons and terminals back into their original positions. However, you will have to know the type of battery is used in the fob.

If you're unsure if the battery is at fault you can use a backup fob to start or unlock your car. If you're able to do so, it's probably time to replace the primary fob. If not then you'll require a professional inspect it to determine the problem. It could be a simple reset, or it could require other types of repair key. There's also the possibility that your car has lost your fob, which isn't something you can fix on your own.

Case

The case of remote keys is the outer plastic housing and usually comes with the button pad replacement. It is recommended to use the latest case because the one you have is likely to be very dirty. Also, it is vital that the circuit board within the case is properly positioned. The circuit board determines the function of the key fob. You can test it by using an instrument set to RF (radiofrequency) mode lock and key repair near me a radio scanner that is tuned to the same frequency as the key fob.

Another thing to check is the contact points for buttons on the keypad. These may have become loose or broken over time. Carefully soldering them back in place can often return them to their original function unless they completely snap off.

Buttons

If the buttons on your key fob don't work anymore or are difficult to press for any reason, a motormite or dorman remote key housing replacement could be purchased for a low price online for the year/make/model you have. Then pop the circuit board out of your old case into the new one. In some cases, you may need to move the board slightly. The black contact points of the buttons can be bonded to aluminum foil using double-sided tape.

Programming

The key Repair fob and the receiver in your car are connected however, this connection may be damaged. A professional will assess your vehicle to determine the year, make, and model. They will then use specialist equipment to reconnect or program an unmodified transponder chip or fob (or duplicate the key fob repair, if possible). Then they test the remote control car key repairs to make sure that it works.

It is important to be cautious when programming a blank key, as the process can be complicated and different brands require distinct steps. It is easy to miss a key step or to take too long before exiting the programming mode. To reduce the chance of damaging your car, it is best to work with an expert with extensive knowledge of the security system in your vehicle key repairs. Certain key programming tools can also detect diagnostic trouble codes on your vehicle. This will help you fix or resolve other issues.