Remote Key Repair: How to Fix Your Car Remote

If you want a real handling experience, why not? So when it works against you, it’s one of those little irritations that snowballs into a major issue. Remote fob repair includes anything from battery replacement to a complete electronic replacement. Understanding your remote control damage gives you a heads up on whether it is something simple to fix yourself or something that requires the assistance of an experienced locksmith.

How Car Remote Keys Work

When you press a button on the Car remote key (more usually known as a Keyless entry), it transmits a unique radio frequency signal to your vehicle. That signal is received by your car, which has a specific code stored within it that either locks the doors or set off the alarm when requested. This signal is encrypted and rolling on modern vehicles (the code changes after every use), making them secure but also much more complex to repair when something does go wrong.

The majority of key fobs available now will include a transponder chip that works independently from the remote functions. There is a chip that talks to the immobiliser system of the car when you insert the key into the ignition. As a result, a key fob can potentially exhibit two different types of failures: the fault state where the remote buttons and signals do not work, and a second type in which the ignition chip does not activate. The condition of remote key repair is that you should know where the real problem lies.

Common Remote Key Problems

The issues relating to remote keys tend tend to be broken down in a small amount of categories. These are the most common problems that drivers face;

1. Dead or Weak Battery

This is, by far, the most common reason as to a remote that does not work. Key fob batteries usually last two to four years under normal conditions; weirdly, excessive use reduces their lifetime as does exposure to extreme temperatures. When your remote started working only at shorter and shorter distances before giving up completely the first thing you want to do is replace the battery.

2. Worn or Broken Buttons

A rubber button pad within a key fob erodes with each push. Over time though, the conductive pad on the underside of each button detaches from the circuit board it sits above and, as a result, no longer registers when pressed. This type of fault is usually a slow-moving one- One button might give out first or you have to press the buttons harder and harder.

3. Cracked or Damaged Casing

Dropped your keys too many times? If your key fob casing cracks, once the case is breached, the innards are vulnerable to dirt, moisture and additional trauma. While a cracked case alone probably won’t do instant remote working death, sooner or later it will bring more serious problems.

5. Water Damage

Water and electronics don’t mix. Water can seep into a key fob and rust the circuit board or short all the contacts. Part of the reason water damage is so convoluted is that it can happen all at once but also build up over days or weeks before the remote finally grinds to a halt.

6. Signal or Synchronisation Loss

Key fobs are also prone to desynchronisation with the vehicle’s receiver, most notably after a new battery is fitted in where the ancillary fob needs to be programmed again, a flat car battery or other forms of electronic interference. In these instances the remote is perfectly functional but no longer coupled to the car’s frequency. So this is quite a critical condition and it appears that the key fob needs to be repaired but in most of the cases, this can just be rectified by reprogragmming your key.

7. Circuit Board Failure

Even with a new battery, if the internal circuit board of the key fob is damaged from impact or exposure to water or simple changing over time, the remote will not work. A fault of this type usually either requires a new board or an entire key fob (just the case will be somewhat unadvisable).

Do-It-Yourself Remote Key Repair: Attempt It At Home

However, there are stuff which might be well worth trying yourself before calling a locksmith.

1۔ Replace the Battery

Difficulty: Opens key fob using a small flathead screwdriver or coin in the slot on the side of the device. Pay special attention to the battery type most key fobs use some form of a coin cell battery, usually either a CR2032, CR2025 or CR2016. Insert a new one, put the fob back together and try it out. This fixes it nine times out of ten if the remote has been getting weak gradually over time.

2. Resynchronise the Remote

New battery pattern fails, the remote may only be unsynchronised. But, while this is specific to the manufacturer of your vehicle, it generally involves sitting in outside with doors closed while switching the ignition on and off a stipulated number of times before pressing a button on the remote to enter pairing mode. The instructions you need to follow would depend on your make and model of your car that information can be found in your owners manual.

3. Clean the Circuit Board

In case of water damage or corrosion, take the fob apart and clean the circuit board carefully with a cotton bud soaked in 90% or more isopropyl alcohol. It does that with no risk of damage to components, by descaling both mineral deposits and light corrosion. Then leave it out to dry fully for at least an hour before reassembly.

4. Replace the Button Pad

Replacement rubber button pads can be purchased inexpensively at online auction sites for most of the common key fob types. If only one (or more) buttons stopped responding but the rest of the remote appears to be in working order, swapping out the button pad is a quick and inexpensive fix that takes just minutes.

When to Call a Professional for Remote Key Repair

Certain remote key issues truly require a home fix. Here is when it makes more sense to get professional help:

• Your circuit board is visibly damaged or excessively corroded. You can clean off light corrosion but a board that has really gotten wet or been rough housed is probably hopeless and now needs replacing by someone who has half an idea what they are doing.
• The remote does not sync after changing battery. Assuming you’ve tried the resync procedure and the remote is still not pairing with car, you may need to have special equipment reprogram the receiver in car that communicates with key fob.
• You require an entirely new key fob. If the key fob has gone bad, it must be programmed to your vehicle if you replaced it altogether. There is no way you can do this without automotive locksmith equipment.
• Your push to start with smart key or proximity fob. These more sophisticated systems have stricter security protocols and programming complexity. They’re not something you can work out by executing a DIY resync procedure on.
• You’ve lost both your keys. When you’re down to zero functioning remotes, a locksmith will be necessary that can get inside the car possibly by unlocking but more preferably by door lock replacement as it comes with a brand new key.

The Cost of Remote Key Repair

Cost of the Remote Key Repair The cost you pay for remote key repair greatly depends on your vehicle and the extent of damage.

Reprogramming an Existing Remote

However, you might have the fob requiring reprogramming in order to sync back with the car and this type of service significantly less expensive than replacing a key.

How AZ Cars Locksmith Can Help

One of the most frequent tasks that our mobile locksmith performs each day is remote key repair at AZ Cars Locksmith. We have worked on almost every manufacturer of remote keys available in the industry and we also carry programming tools and replacement parts so that most issues can be solved immediately. Here’s what we offer:

• Remote Key Diagnostics: Confused over What’s Wrong with Your Remote? We test it down to the ground instead of taking a wild, educated guess. Our locksmiths are able to find out within a short period of time whether the fault lies in the battery, button pad, circuit board, issues with synchronization or otherwise and provide an unbiased recommendation of repair v/s replacement that would be a better choice for you.
• Key Fob Repair and Parts Replacement: Our selection of button pads, replacement shells and circuit boards include a variety of key fob models. We frequently fix your remote rather than replacing it as it’s less costly – like a cracked shell, non-functioning buttons or minor water damage.
• Remote Key Reprogramming: If your remote is out of sync with the vehicle we can reprogram it to you using professional programming equipment We reprogram replacement remotes and new key fobs for you, so everything is integrated with your car’s security.
• Full Mobile Emergency: No-one likes to be left getting locked out or not starting the car due to a remote key failing, especially at the last minute. From home, workplace to a car park nearby, our intended 24/7 emergency locksmith group will arrive at your area and solve the trouble immediately.

Why Choose AZ Cars Locksmith

There are plenty of locksmiths who say they do remote key repair but the skills and experience level varies dramatically. This is why AZ Cars Locksmith drivers keep returning to us:

• Wide Key Fob Knowledge: We repeat repaired & reprogrammed remote keys for hundreds of vehicles from mainstream family cars to luxury or sporty models. That level of experience means we have probably tackled your exact problem before and know the fastest way to solve it.
• Fully Equipped Mobile Locksmith Vans: Our vehicles equipped with plenty of key fob parts, programming equipment for blank remotes and the entire set of locks and OBDII keys for most range auto models. The vast majority of our repairs and replacements for remote keys are done on site, without the need for a second visit or even requiring a trip to a workshop.
• On-demand, Day or Night : Key fob hassles have no regard for your day planner. We’re available to take your call, day or night, and provide a response with our 24/7 emergency locksmith service for when the unexpected happens. We respond quickly and we show-up ready to work!
• Honest, Upfront Pricing: A quote will be provided to you before any work is done. There are not any exaggerated call-out charges or a few mysterious expenses when the job is over. No gimmicks, what you are quoted is what you pay every time.

Final Words

Remote car keys may be annoying, however, they are virtually easier and cheaper to repair than you think. Never go to the extreme, check the simplest thing first – will it be a battery and button pad? If this is insufficient, for reprogramming, a fault on the circuit board or a spare key fob entirely, your best bet in terms of time and price is to contact an autos locksmith.

Contact AZ Cars Locksmith

Is the remote of your car not working? Just call AZ Cars Locksmith and we will take care of it. That is why; our expert mobile locksmith will come straight to you, conduct proper diagnosis, and provide upfront quote before touching anything. The majority of the remote key tasks are performed at your doorstop.

Contact AZ Cars Locksmith today for fast, dependable remote key repair. We are available all hours, day or night, whether there is an emergency, or if you just want it working correctly.

Phone: 602-586-5999

Book Online: Click Here