9 Things Your Parents Taught You About Remote Car Key Repair

Car Key Repair - How to Fix a Dead Remote

Car remotes provide a great convenience to drivers. They can unlock doors, open trunks and even start the engine. But, these remotes sometimes stop working at odd times.

If you notice that your key fob is no longer working, try a few simple fixes before heading to the dealer. These tips could save you money.

Keyless Entry System

Instead of having to fiddle around with keys in your pocket or purse instead, stroll up to your car, press an icon on the key fob, and then open the doors and start the engine. It's a simple function that makes driving a car more relaxing and safe. But just like any device, the keyless entry system can fail due to repeated use or due to other factors. If you are having issues with yours, you can either go to the dealer or contact a locksmith.

The way that a keyless entry system works is by releasing radio signals and then looking for a response signal from the key fob. If the system recognizes the signal, the car's doors are not locked and the onboard computer is activated. Some systems include an additional receiver in the trunk of the car that opens automatically when you move your foot under it.

Each key fob comes with a unique digital identification code, which is assigned by the manufacturer. A proprietary technical process called "programming" is used to set the fob up with the car's specific system. This involves turning the ignition of the vehicle repeatedly in a certain sequence. It may also require pulling buttons or levers or levers or removing fuse.

Once a key fob is programmed to the car's keyless entry system, it transmits its digital identity code as well as a function code that tells the car what to do (lock, unlock, or open the trunk). The receiver on the car checks the authenticity of the transmitter by an authentication and encryption process. The onboard computer will allow the vehicle to be opened and start the engine if it's authorized.

A skilled criminal could snoop and then use the code that is transmitted between the keyfob and vehicle. This would require a device to record the transmission and then retransmit it in the event that the system doesn't anticipate it. To combat this, most keyless entry systems rely on the rolling code method that guarantees that each new transmitter signal received by the car has a different counter than the previous one.

Batteries

The most frequent cause of the car remote car key repair key fob not working is the battery is dead. It's a cheap and easy fix when you have an extra key fob on hand to replace the old one with. Luckily, most fobs use regular watch-style batteries that can be purchased at hardware stores or big-box retailers for as little as $10. You can find instructions to disassemble the key fob on the web or in your vehicle's manual.

After you've removed the battery, make sure not to disturb any antennas or circuits within the case. They're likely to be holding the key fob's programming to your car's specific model, and messing with them can cause it to become unprogrammable (and probably not work). If you must move them, do so very gently because some key fobs come with fasteners that easily open and scatter key fob parts all over your living room.

The case of a majority of key fobs has a single screwdriver hole. To open it, you'll need to make use of a pry tool. However, before you begin by putting the tool along the outside edge of the case as you would when peeling an apple or orange. Don't apply too much pressure since the case of the key fob is typically made of plastic, and it is prone to break or crack when you exert too excessive force.

If you're ready to replace the battery, make sure to match the size and type to your key fob. Some key fobs come with two batteries while others only need one. The wrong battery could make your remote key fob useless.

If the problem persists then you can try it again using your key fob after installing the new battery. If not then you'll need to figure out whether your key fob is suffering from an issue that's more complex that requires professional diagnosis and repair. If this is the case, you may require it to be reprogrammed by a dealer, or purchase a replacement key fob entirely.

Buttons

The buttons on your key fob are pretty tiny, and packed with delicate electronic components. It's not a surprise that they're destined to fail from time to time. If your car key button suddenly ceases to function, you can typically fix it yourself.

The most common reason the car remote stops functioning is due to dirt or crud has gotten stuck between the buttons. To remove this obstruction take care to remove both batteries and scrub each button by using a cotton swab, coated with rubbing alcohol. Make sure to dry them completely before reinstalling batteries.

It's possible that your key fob is damaged in some way, like being dropped on concrete or accidentally scratched. If that's the case, using a different key fob to verify its function might reveal that it has been damaged and requires to be replaced.

Another possibility is that the door lock sensor in your vehicle has stopped working. It's a tiny, metal piece that is attached to the door lock button on your key fob, and it's not unusual for the sensor to break following long-term use or exposure to weather conditions. Press your key button a few times without locking or unlocking your doors. This will reset the sensor.

If nothing else works, you can test the capabilities of a spare key by unlocking and locking your doors with it. If the spare key does not work, you might need to call a locksmith 24 hours a day who can repair keys near me your car key fob repair service keys to get your remote working again.

If your car key button is working, but it's still not locking or unlocking the vehicle, you can try to re-programme your computer system. If you have had the same key fob a time, it might need to be reprogrammed every few months to to work with your vehicle. It's not ideal, but it is better than having to buy an entirely new remote.