How to Repair a Remote Key

Although many remote auto key fob Repair fobs boast amazing battery life, they do eventually wear out. Sometimes it's as simple as changing the batteries in the device, however sometimes the issue can be more severe.

One quick fix that may help is dismantling the remote, cleaning the buttons and flexing them in and out. These techniques might be all you need to get the key fob to work.

Battery

car key fob repair key remotes use CR2025 or CR2032 batteries and they can be replaced when the fob is functioning. If not, look at the battery terminals and buttons to determine if there are any loose parts. It is usually possible to solder the buttons and terminals back into place. However, you will need to know what type of battery is installed in the fob.

If the battery isn't the issue you can try a backup key fob to determine whether you are able to unlock or start your car with it. If you're able to then it's time to replace your primary fob. If it's not, a professional inspection is necessary to determine the reason it's not working properly. It could be as simple as reset, or it could require other types of repairs. There's also the possibility that your vehicle has forgotten your fob, which isn't something you can fix yourself.

Case

The outer plastic enclosure of a remote is called the case. It usually comes with a replacement button pad. It is recommended to use the latest case since the original one will likely to be extremely dirty. It is essential that the circuit board inside the case is properly positioned. The circuit board is responsible for the operation of the key fob. It can be tested with a standard multimeter by setting it to RF (radio frequency) mode and then holding a radio scanner tuned to the same frequency that the key fob uses close to it, and listening for pulsing signals upon the button's presses.

Another thing to look at is the contact points for buttons on the keypad. They might be loose or damaged over time. Soldering them back to their original position can often restore them to their original function, except if they snap completely.

Buttons

If your key repair car fob buttons don't work anymore or are difficult to press for any reason, a motormite or dorman remote car key repair key housing replacement could be bought inexpensively online for the year, make and model of your. Then, simply pop the circuit board out of your old case into the new. On some models you may have to adjust the board's position slightly. The black contact points of the buttons can be adhered to with aluminum foil and double-sided tape.

Programming

The key fob is linked with the receiver of your vehicle. This connection can be corrupted. A professional will inspect the car to determine the make, year and model and make use of specialist equipment to repair or program an empty fob or transponder chip (or clone a key should this be possible). Then they will test the remote to be sure it functions.

It is crucial to be cautious when reprogramming the blank key, because the process is often complicated and different manufacturers require slightly different steps. It is also possible to miss a step, or wait too long before exiting the programming mode, so it is recommended to work with a professional with comprehensive knowledge of the security system of your vehicle to avoid damaging your car. Some key programming tools also have the capability of analyzing diagnostic trouble codes from your vehicle. This can help repair or troubleshoot further problems.