A broken car key button can be a hassle. You may need to contact an emergency locksmith service or purchase an alternative remote.
You could save money by repairing your old key fob rather than replacing it. This is especially true when an old switch or damaged contacts are the cause of the issue.
Battery
If your key fob’s buttons are not responding to your pressing them, this could be a sign that the battery is dead or is nearing its end of life. Fortunately, replacing the battery is a simple task that you can complete on your own instead of hiring a locksmith or dealer to complete the task for you.
First find the battery compartment. It is typically located on the backside of the key fob repairs near me fob and might be hidden behind the cover, which slides out, or an access point that opens when you push a button. Once the compartment is exposed, locate the small button battery. It is usually shaped like a small coin and has a plus and minus symbol. Remove the battery from the old one and insert a new one in its place, ensuring that the plus and minus symbols are correctly aligned.
Once the battery is in place close the compartment and snap the two halves of the key fob together. Before closing the door make sure to align and snap the parts into the correct position. Press any of the buttons to verify that they work properly.
If the remote key fob you have purchased stops working after replacing the battery, it could be experiencing other issues that require a different type of repair. Dropping the fob in a puddle could cause it to cease functioning. It could also be due to a malfunction with the internal electrical system, or it may need to be deprogrammed. Find out if the problem is related to your key fob applying these other typical methods for troubleshooting your car.
Switches
Based on the year and model, there are a variety of kinds of switches that are found that are used in the car key fob repairs near me keyfob. The older type of key usually has an additional chip that is visible inside the case, while the modern keys are more sophisticated and work by sending signals to the car. No matter what type, the buttons on the key may become worn out or damaged with normal use. The result is they become difficult to press or even unresponsive. If you press the button with force it could cause more damage. It may also prevent the key from working in the future.
If you are unable to get your key to function Try changing the batteries. If this doesn’t work, then you might need to clean your key’s fob or adjust its switches. These tiny electronic switches are more prone than larger parts of the key to break due to the fact that they are constantly tossed around.
The switches have a rubbery feel and are coated with a film that conducts electricity. The film is prone to wear off over time. Fortunately, they’re small and affordable to replace. The old ones are soldered to the circuit board so you’ll have to take care to remove them without causing any damage to anything else. Then, you can solder the new ones in and then reassemble your fob.
One way to prevent your car key fob from getting damaged is to avoid using it for longer than a couple of hours at a stretch, and also to not leave it in visible locations where it can be seen. Also, make sure you locate a safe place to store your key when you aren’t making use of it.
If you’ve already tried cleaning your key fob and replacing the battery, and the problem persists it’s probably time to think about hiring a locksmith. A professional locksmith can test the frequency of your key to determine whether your car is able to communicate. They can also open and replace microswitches, alter cases, and much more.
Outer Case
Key fobs spend many hours bouncing around, and when the buttons aren’t allowed to move between the case, they could become stuck or break. If changing the battery or cleaning it with a cotton swab and some rubbing alcohol doesn’t fix the problem, removing the case and checking it out may be necessary. If the contacts that the buttons touch aren’t suitable for the application or if they’re worn, changing them might be the only solution.
Some keys use buttons made of rubber, which be worn out over time. The buttons made of rubber can become difficult to press when they stretch, and nails could gouge them. This could cause the key to fail and, in this situation, it’s time for an entirely new case or buttons. This repair key fob involves removing your remote, finding the buttons on the board, heating the solder and carefully taking them off. New buttons are then soldered to the circuit board. The case is then reassembled and the horse shoe key blade piece inserted. The new buttons should be a close fit into the case to prevent them from falling out.
Inner Case
Over time, your key fob’s buttons may become damaged or stuck due to the constant jolting and accidental pressing. Utilizing metal tape and a hole punch you can often quickly solve this issue in the event that your vehicle is not at home and the key fob doesn’t work and you are unable to open the doors, but not start the engine. This quick fix could allow you to safely make it back to your vehicle and continue your journey.