10 Repair Car Key Tricks Experts Recommend

How to Repair Car Key Fobs Key fobs can be damaged, even if we use them frequently. In fact, they can break down in a variety of ways. While the most common problem is the battery being dead, other issues can be more serious. Many of these issues can be solved by a quick fix at home. Dead Battery A dead battery is the most frequent reason for a key fob that is not working. Fob batteries can deplete quickly, especially when they are exposed to hot or humid temperatures or water. It is a good idea to keep an additional fob battery in your wallet in case. The LED light will typically stop blinking when the battery in your car key fob is low. The fob might also stop working at the same distance that it used to. In this scenario the key fob might require reprogramming or replaced entirely. It is easy to replace a car keyfob battery. Find out the type of battery that is used. The type should be embossed on the back of the fob. If you're unsure, doing a quick Google search can help. Once you have found the kind of battery you want you want to use, open the key fob near the seam. Make use of a flathead screwdriver or your fingernail to break the two halves. Then, remove the old battery and put the new one in its place. Be sure to insert the new battery with the positive (+) side facing upwards towards the buttons in the fob. Some drivers don't realize that their fob is dead until they lock or unlock their car and the buttons don't work anymore. In some cases, this can be solved by reprogramming your fob, however, it can be costly and time-consuming. Another option is to contact roadside assistance and see if they can jump your car and get you back on the road. If you've tried every solution and your vehicle still won't start, it's time to call a professional. A trained technician can determine whether your vehicle's computer system requires reprogramming or if the fob requires a replacement battery. They can also recommend an auto shop to replace your key fob. Sometimes it is possible that a new fob could be the best option. Circuit Board Damage The key fob isn't impervious to destruction, but it can withstand a lot of physical harm. Battery, circuit board and buttons are all susceptible to wear and tear. It is important to take care of these components to ensure your key fob remains in good working order. The most straightforward thing to do is to ensure that the battery inside the key fob isn't dying. If it is then replace the battery and determine if this fixes the issue. If not, you'll have to remove the key fob and clean the contact surfaces. This can be a challenge since some key fobs do not have a release mechanism that is easy to unlock them and you may harm your device if you try to pull it apart. You can purchase a special tool to open your key fob, but it is recommended to adhere to the manufacturer's guidelines to avoid damaging it. A damaged or defective key circuit board for the fob is another frequent issue. This can be due to many things, such as moisture or dirt that gets into the battery compartment software, hardware issues, or even an accidental firmware update. If your key fob is not functioning, you might want to consider getting it changed. This can be accomplished by a locksmith who is skilled in this kind of work. Radio interference is another possibility. This could happen if there are other wireless devices that transmit at the same frequency as your key fob, for instance radar detectors or home security systems. If this is the case you need to contact the other device manufacturer to make sure that your key fob won't be affected by their signals. It's also possible that your key fob may have a bad switch or other electrical component that should be replaced. You can find online guides that will help you fix this yourself. It is important to be cautious when you do this, as the circuit boards in your key fob are small and easily break in the event of rough handling. If you're doing this yourself, make sure to use an SMT switch that is of high-quality and put the switch in the correct position. In a state of wear Out Buttons Car key fobs are susceptible to a lot of wear and tear. They are susceptible to being dropped and spend a lot of time being jostled in your purse or pocket. Sometimes, this jostling can cause the buttons to wear out or snagged. In this case an easy adjustment could be all that's needed to make it work again. The majority of modern key fobs have sensors that detect if they've been pressed. They're made to do this so that they can lower the risk of theft by someone else of your vehicle. If key repairs on your key fob aren't responding when you press them, they're damaged and should be replaced. The circuit board in the key fob also sends signals to your car. Those signals include unlock and lock commands and commands to start your engine. If the circuit board inside your vehicle is damaged then your key fob may not unlock your vehicle or even start the engine. This kind of damage is typically caused by blunt force or water. You'll be able to tell that the buttons on your key fob are wearing out If you're finding yourself pressing more than usual to get them to work. Your fob could not be sending signals to your vehicle or have a shorter range. Contact a locksmith right away in the event that you are not able to use your key fob for your car. They'll be able to determine whether the key fob itself is damaged or the ignition cylinder has worn out. Fortunately, the majority of car keyfob problems aren't too difficult or serious. Keep an extra key fob in your car at all times to avoid being thrown off by a malfunctioning key. This will ensure that you're not trapped in a place because of an unreliable or lost key. If you do lose your car key spare, a locksmith can help reset it so that it works with your car's ignition. They can also repair any internal damage to the key fob. Broken Case The case of the key fob is more than just protect the buttons and batteries. It also houses the circuit board responsible for doing all of the electrical magic when you press a button on your key fob. The circuit board relays the signal from your keyfob to your car. If this board is damaged or dead, your key fob won't be able to function. Sometimes, a key fob that is dead will just need to be reset which is something your local auto locksmith or the dealership can assist you with. Another reason your key fob might not be working is that the batteries are not working. The battery can be replaced at home. The good news is that you can locate an alternative battery online or at your local auto parts store, since these batteries aren't exclusive to key fobs. There are several ways to open up the key fob and go inside it, depending on the kind. A quick internet search should reveal what kind of key fob yours is and the type of battery it uses. From there, you can purchase the replacement and simply take the old one out and put the new one in. If you are repairing a damaged key fob, the primary concern is not to destroy the circuit or buttons further. If you try to pry apart the key fob using a screwdriver or other hard edge, it can crack the plastic or damage the case. A replacement case is inexpensive and you can find an entire fob, including the electronics on eBay or Amazon for under $40. If your key fob does not work, check if you have damaged the circuit board or the batteries. If this is not the situation, you can get it repaired quickly and cheaply by an expert. If not, it may be time to replace the fob. Be sure to check the warranty of any replacement or used fobs that you purchase on the internet.