How to Fix a Key Fob That isn't Working

If your key fob isn't functioning A few easy steps can fix it. First, ensure that it's not your backup remote.

If the backup is able to lock and unlock your car door, it is most likely an issue with the main remote. The most frequent causes of key problems with your car remote are circuitry or battery issues.

Battery

The battery in the key fob may wear out over time. It is quite simple to change out a battery, although it is crucial to ensure you choose the correct type that you can refer to your owner's manual or contact the dealer for the manufacturer to find out the kind of battery you require. It is recommended to inspect the battery compartment carefully since dead batteries may leak caustic chemicals that can harm the remote. If changing the batteries doesn't solve the problem, it may be that there are other issues that require attention by a professional. For instance, if buttons seem to be stuck or damaged It may be necessary to disassemble the remote and rework its parts. You could also try reprogramming the vehicle to recognize the new remote.

Buttons

Key fobs may become dirty and worn-out from repeated use. This is not unusual however it can cause buttons to cease working or require a difficult press to get them to function. This can be a huge hassle, especially if you are out of town and need to start your vehicle. Fortunately, even worn-out or malfunctioning buttons can often be fixed with just a bit of time and a few materials you may already have around the house.

First, make sure that the batteries are correctly placed and that the indentation at the back of the button has been filled. Then, carefully open up the remote and examine the circuit board. Examine for indications of rust or other signs the buttons have been damaged or worn out. For instance, conductive paint may be missing. Use a Q-tip that has been dipped in alcohol to gently clean any membrane contact that has become damaged or where conductive paint is missing. Be careful not to rub too hard, as this can erode the conductive paint and stop the button firing when it is pressed.

Also, carefully check the battery connector terminals for a loose solder connection. If this is the case, simply soldering them back in place can restore function to the button. You can apply the same procedure to restore functionality to any other loose connection inside the fob.

If any of the rubber buttons on the front of the keyfob isn't functioning or require to be pressed extremely hard the graphite disks at the back of the button could have worn out and will need to replaced. You can do this by rubbing a pen over the disks. This should bring the button to life.

If none of these solutions work or you are unable to get the button to respond when pressed hard, it could be that the circuitry is failing. It is possible to fix this by cleaning and re-soldering your fob however, you should have another spare in case it does not work.

Circuitry

The circuit board in your remote control could be dirty, regardless of whether the buttons on the key fob function or not. This issue can be fixed by a thorough inspection. https://notes.io/wzSPA and damaged cases are the most common causes of boards that are dirty. A damaged case allows water and other debris to enter and short out the electronics. Water can also destroy pins and connectors on the board called via's.

If you're skilled enough to open your key fob, and aren't afraid of making an mess, you can remove the buttons from their sockets and put in new ones. It's also worth examining the battery terminal connections. They can become extremely dirty and if they're loose the buttons might not function or may even remain in their down position. Soldering terminals and buttons back to their proper positions is usually enough to restore a non-working fob to working.

Non-Remote Transponder Chips

The non-remote chips that are sealed are more durable than their remote fobs. However, they are susceptible to cracking in the event of a hole being drilled in them, or if a car door handle or lawnmowers is pushed over them. Most of the time non-remote transponder chips fail, and this could be attributed to a blown fuse.

If you are not comfortable opening the key fob, take the circuit board off and use a multimeter to check that the diode is working correctly. If you're not comfortable with this, visit your local Oreilly or hardware store and test their RF frequency tester. This will tell you whether the key fob sends a signal.

Programming

Key fobs take many abuses and aren't impervious to damage. They can lose their pairing to the receiver in your car due to shock or low battery, requiring them to be reprogrammed. A professional auto locksmith or main dealer can reprogram the keyfob to get it functioning again. If resetting or replacing your key fob fails it may be necessary to replace it.