20 Fun Facts About Key Repair
How to Repair a Remote Key
Although most remote key fobs have impressive battery lives they will eventually wear out. Some times it is simple to replace the batteries in the device, however sometimes the problem can be more serious.
One quick fix that may help is dismantling the remote by cleaning the buttons and flexing them in and out. These methods could be all you need to get the key fob working.
Battery
Car key remotes utilize CR2025 or CR2032 batteries and can usually be replaced when the fob is operational. If not, you can open the fob and examine the buttons and battery terminals to look for signs of wear or damaged parts. Often the terminals and buttons can be repaired by soldering them back into place, but you'll need to be aware of the type of battery the fob is using.
If you're not sure whether the battery is the issue you can use a backup fob to start or unlock your vehicle. If try here do so, it's probably time to replace your primary fob. If it's not require replacement, you'll need to have a professional examine it to find the issue. It could be as simple as reprogramming or it may require other types of repair. There's also the possibility that your vehicle forgotten your fob, which isn't something you can fix yourself.
Case
The case of remote keys is the plastic housing that covers the outside and typically comes with the replacement button pad. car key fob repair is recommended to use an entirely new case since the original one is likely to be very filthy. It is vital that the circuit board within the case is correctly placed. The circuit board is what controls the key fob's function. You can test it by using a multimeter set to RF (radiofrequency) mode, and a radio scanner that is tuned to the same frequency as the key fob.
Check the contact points of the keys on the keypad. They may be loose over time or broken. A careful soldering process to put them back in place can often return them to their original function unless they break completely.
Buttons
IF your key fob buttons do not function anymore or are difficult to press for any reason, a motormite or dorman remote key housing replacement can be purchased for a low price online for your year/make and model. Then, you can take the circuit board out of the old case and insert it into the new one. For certain models it may be necessary to adjust the position of the board slightly. Then, you can use aluminum foil with double sided tape to adhere to the black contact points on the buttons.
Programming
The key fob is linked with the receiver of your vehicle and this connection could be damaged. A professional will examine the vehicle to determine the make of the vehicle, year of manufacture and model. They make use of specialist equipment to repair or program an empty fob or transponder chip (or duplicate a key should this be possible). Then they will test the remote to make sure it works.
It is crucial to be careful when reprogramming a blank key, as the process is often complicated and different brands require certain steps that are slightly different. It is easy to skip a step or to take too long before exiting the programming mode. To reduce the chance of damaging your vehicle it is recommended to work with an expert who has vast knowledge of the security system of your vehicle. Some key programming tools can also detect diagnostic trouble codes on your vehicle. This can help you fix or resolve other issues.