How to Repair Car Key Fobs Key fobs are susceptible to damage even if we use them frequently In fact, they are able to break down in many different ways The most frequent issue is an unresponsive battery, other issues can be much more grave Fortunately, many of these can be fixed by making a quick DIY fix at home Dead Battery A dead battery is the most common cause of the key fob not functioning Fob batteries are known to drain quickly, especially if they are exposed or cold temperatures, humidity or even water Keep an extra battery in your wallet in case you require it You will usually know the moment your car key fob's battery is running low because the LED light will cease to glow It's also possible that the fob won't function at the same distance it used to In this case it could be necessary to reprogram the key fob or replace it completely Fortunately, replacing the car key fob battery is a simple task Find out the type of battery used The type of battery you are using should be stamped on the side of your key fob Google can assist you if you're not sure Open the key fob across the seam after you have identified the type of battery Use a flathead screwdriver, or even your fingernail, to separate the two halves Remove the old battery, and replace it with a new one Place the new battery in such a way that the positive + face is facing the buttons on the fob Some drivers aren't aware that their fob has died until they lock or unlock their car and the buttons no longer work This can be corrected by reprogramming your fob However it can be time-consuming and expensive Another option is to call roadside assistance and ask them to jump your car and get you back on the road If you have tried both of these solutions but your car won't start then it's time to call a professional A certified technician will be able to determine if your vehicle's computer system requires reprogramming or if the fob requires an upgrade in battery They can also suggest an auto shop that will replace the key fob Sometimes it is possible that a new fob might be the best option Circuit Board Damage Key fobs can withstand some physical abuse and is not indestructible Battery, circuit board and buttons are all susceptible to wear and tear It is crucial to take care of these components to ensure that your key fob is in good working order The easiest thing to check is that the battery in your key fob isn't depleted If it is then replace the battery and determine if this fixes the issue If not, you'll require opening the key fob and clean the contact surfaces This can be a challenge since some key fobs don't have easy-release mechanisms to unlock them and you could end up damaging your key fob if try to pull it apart You can buy a tool for opening your key fob But, you must adhere to the guidelines of the manufacturer to avoid damaging it https//wwwg28carkeyscouk/car-key-repairs-near-me/ damaged or defective key fob circuit board is another common problem This can be caused by a number of things, such as dirt or moisture getting into the battery compartment software problems or even an accidental firmware update If your key fob has stopped working, you may want to consider getting it reprogrammed This can be accomplished by a locksmith who is skilled in this type of work Radio interference is a different possibility This can occur if you have other wireless devices around that transmit on the same frequency, such as radar detectors or home security systems If this is the case, inquire with the other manufacturers of your device to ensure that your key fob isn't being affected by their signals It's also possible that your key fob may have an unreliable switch or electrical component that should be replaced You can find online guides that help you fix this yourself Be cautious when doing this, however, because the circuit board in your key fob is small and can easily break if handled roughly If you do this yourself, make certain to use a top quality SMT switch and then solder it in place correctly In a state of wear Out Buttons Car key fobs are prone to a lot of wear and tear They are more prone to being dropped and spend a lot of time in your purse or pocket This jostling can sometimes cause buttons to wear out or get stuck A simple adjustment can fix the problem Modern key fobs are equipped with sensors that detect when they have been pressed This is because they lower the chance of someone else stealing your vehicle If your key fob's buttons aren't responding when you press them it's a sign that they're worn out and require to be replaced Key fobs also contain a circuit board inside them that sends signals to the car These signals include commands to unlock and lock your car, and commands to start your engine If the circuit board within your vehicle is damaged, then your key fob will not allow you to unlock or start your engine Generally, this kind of damage is caused by water, blunt force or a scratch on the circuit board You'll be able to tell that the buttons on your key fob are wearing down If you're finding yourself pressing more than usual in order to get them working Additionally, your fob may stop sending a signal to the car or it'll have less range than it did prior to Contact a locksmith right away if you are unable to use your key fob to start your car They can tell if the key fob is damaged or the cylinder of your ignition is worn out Fortunately, most car keyfob problems aren't too difficult or serious The best way to avoid being taken by surprise by an issue with your key fob is to keep an extra in your pocket at all times You won't be left stranded because of an issue with your key or a lost one If you do happen to lose your spare car key A locksmith can change the key so that it works with the ignition of your car They'll also be able to fix any internal damage that may have been caused to your key fob Broken Case The case of a key fob does more than just protect the buttons and batteries The case also houses the circuitry that does all the electrical magic when you press a key fob button This board takes the signal from your key fob and transmits it to your car Your key fob won't work if the board is damaged A dead key fob might only need to be reprogrammed by your local auto locksmith, or dealer Batteries may be the cause your key fob's battery not working This is a quick fix that you can do at home by replacing the battery The good news is that you can locate an alternative battery online or at your local auto parts store since these batteries are not exclusive to key fobs There are several ways to open the key fob and go inside it, based on the type A quick internet search should identify the type of key fob you have and the type of battery it takes From there, you can purchase an alternative and then simply pop the old one out and the new one in When repairing a broken key fob, the main goal is not to harm the circuit or buttons in any way If you attempt to pull apart the key fob using an instrument like a screwdriver or any other sharp edge, it could break the plastic or break the case Fortunately, a replacement case is cheap and you can get a whole fob assembly with the electronics from eBay or Amazon for less than 40 If your key fob isn't working look into whether the batteries are dead or if the circuit board has become damaged If that's not the case, a professional can repair it quickly and inexpensively If not, it could be time to consider a replacement Be sure to check the warranty of any fob replacement or used purchased online