20 Trailblazers Are Leading The Way In Remote Key Repair
Wiki Article
How to Fix a Key Fob That isn't Working
If your key fob won't work and you're not sure why, you can fix it with a few simple steps. First, check to make sure it's not your backup remote.
If the backup can lock and unlock your car doors, then there's a likely issue with the main remote. Most problems with car remote keys are caused by circuitry or battery issues.
Battery
It is not uncommon for the battery inside the car key fob to degrade. It is quite simple to change out batteries, but 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 require. It is recommended to examine the battery compartment thoroughly, as dead batteries sometimes leak caustic chemicals that can cause damage to the remote. If changing the batteries does not solve the issue it could be because there are other issues that require attention from a professional. If buttons are stuck or broken for instance it might be necessary to take the remote apart and rework each component. You can also try reprogramming the vehicle to recognize the new remote.
Buttons
From repeated use, key fobs can get dirty and worn. This is not unusual however, it can cause buttons to stop working or require a very hard press for them to work. This can be frustrating, especially when you are away from your home and need to turn on your car. Fortunately, even worn out or damaged buttons can be fixed with a little time and a few items you might already have in the home.
First, make sure that the batteries have been correctly installed and that the indentation at the back of the button is filled. Then, carefully open up the remote and examine the circuit board. Examine for evidence of rust, or other signs the buttons have been damaged or worn. For instance, conductive paint may be missing. Use a Q-tip, dipped in alcohol to gently clean any membrane contact that has become worn out or has conductive paint missing. Avoid rubbing too hard because this could damage the conductive painting and prevent the button from firing when pressed.
Check the battery connector's terminals carefully for any loose solder connections. Soldering them back to their original position will restore the button's functionality If this is the situation. You can use the same procedure to restore functionality to any other loose connection within the fob.
If, for instance, any of the rubber buttons on the front of the key fob stop working or require a hard press to work it is likely the graphite disks that are on the back of the button are deteriorating and need to be replaced. This can usually be done by rubbing a pencil on the disks, which will bring the button back to life.
If none of this is useful, or if the button does not respond to a hard press, then it may be because the circuit board itself has gone bad. It is possible to fix this issue by cleaning and re-soldering the read more button however, you should have another spare in case it does not work.
Circuitry
If the key fob buttons are working the circuit board in your remote might be dirty. A thorough examination is usually enough to fix this problem. Broken and damaged cases are the most common causes of dirty boards. A broken case can let water and other debris to get into the circuit board, which can cause it to short. Water can also get through pins and vias, which are small connectors that are found more info on the board.
If you're handy enough to open your key fob, and you're not afraid of a little mess, we can take off the buttons and put new ones in their place. It's also worth looking at the battery terminal connections. If they're loose, the buttons may not work click here or even become stuck in their down position. Soldering the terminals and button's back click here in their place check here is generally all it takes to restore a non-working key fob to working order.
Non-Remote transponder chips
The sealed non-remote chips are more durable than their remote fobs, but they can be cracked when a hole is made in them or in the event that a door handle of a car or lawnmowers plows over them. Most of the time non-remote transponder chip malfunctions can be blamed on an exploded fuse.
If you're able to open a sealed non-remote key fob and can tolerate the mess, you can remove the circuit board and test the fuse with a multimeter to ensure that it is functioning as intended. function. If you're not sure with this, visit your local Oreilly or hardware store and test their RF frequency tester. This will inform you whether the key fob is sending an RF signal.
Programming
Key fobs endure a lot of abuse and aren't completely indestructible. They can lose their pairing with the receiver inside your vehicle due to shocks or low battery, requiring the reprogramming. A professional auto locksmith, or the main dealer can reprogram your key fob and get it back working again. If resetting or fixing your keyfob does not work, you may need to replace it.