how to repair broken car key to Fix a Key Fob That isn’t Working
If your key fob doesn’t work A few easy steps can fix it. The first step is to be sure that it’s not the backup remote.
If the backup is able to lock and unlock your car door, then there’s a likely issue with the main remote. The most common causes of key problems with your car remote are circuitry or battery issues.
Battery
It is not uncommon for the battery in the key fob for cars to degrade. It is simple to replace the battery. However it is crucial that you choose the right type. You can refer to your owner’s manual or call the manufacturer to determine the correct type. It is also essential to inspect the battery compartment, since dead batteries can leak toxic chemicals that could damage the remote. If replacing the batteries doesn’t solve the issue, it may be that there are other issues that require attention from a professional. For instance, if the buttons appear stuck or damaged, it may be necessary to take the remote apart and rebuild its components. You can also try reprogramming the vehicle to recognize the new remote.
Buttons
Through repeated use, key fobs may get dirty and worn. It is not uncommon for buttons to stop working, or to require a hefty push to make them work. This can be very frustrating particularly if you’re out of town and need to start your car. Fortunately, even worn out or malfunctioning buttons can often be fixed with a little time and a few items you have in the house.
First, make sure the batteries are charged correctly and that the indentation on the back of the button is filled. Take the remote apart and look over the circuit board. Check for signs of corrosion or other signs that the buttons are worn out or damaged, such as missing conductive paint. Use a Q-tip dipped into alcohol to gently clean any membrane contact that has become worn out or where conductive paint is missing. Do not rub too vigorously as this can damage the conductive paint and stop the button from firing when pressed.
Also, carefully check the battery connector’s terminals for a loose solder connection. If this is the case, soldering them back in place can restore functionality to the button. You can use the same procedure to restore functionality to any other loose connection in the fob.
Finally, if any of the buttons made of rubber on the front of the key fob stop working or require a very hard press to work it is likely the graphite disks that are on the back of the button are deteriorating and require replacement. You can do this by rubbing a pencil over the disks. This will bring the button back to life.
If none of this is helpful, or if the button doesn’t respond to a hard push, then it may be because the circuit board has become damaged. This can sometimes be repaired by a quick clean, and re-soldering, but it is best to have an extra fob in case this method doesn’t work for you.
Circuitry
The circuit board inside your remote control may be dirty, regardless of whether the buttons on the key fob work or not. A very thorough inspection is often enough to resolve this problem. The most frequent causes of dirty circuit boards are water and broken cases. A damaged case allows water and other debris to pass through and short circuit the electronics. Water can also eat through pins and vias, which are tiny connectors found on the board.
If you’re handy enough to open your key fob and don’t mind some mess, we can remove the solder from the buttons and then solder new ones in their place. It’s also worth checking the battery terminal connections. 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 to a working condition.
Non-Remote transponder chips
Sealed non-remote transponder chips are more durable than remote fobs that contain them however they are still susceptible to being broken by a hole being that is drilled into them or over by a lawnmowers blade or car keys repairs near me door handle. Fuse failures are usually to blame for non-remote chips failures.
If you’re not confident opening the key fob, you can remove the circuitboard and utilize a multimeter to check that the diode is functioning correctly. If you don’t feel comfortable with this, you can go to your local Oreilly or hardware store and use their RF frequency tester. This will let you know whether the key fob is sending signals.
Programming
Key fobs take a lot of abuse and aren’t impervious to damage. They can lose their pairing with the receiver in your vehicle due to shocks or a low battery, requiring the reprogramming. A professional auto locksmith or main dealer can reprogram your keyfob to get it working again. If, in the unlikely event that resetting and fixing your key fob doesn’t work it could be the time to replace it completely.
