Car Key Button Repair
A broken car key button is frustrating. You might need to call an emergency locksmith service 24 hours a day to assistance or purchase a replacement remote.
However, you may be saving money by repairing a worn-out key fob instead of replacing it. This is particularly true if the issue is due to an old switch or a damaged contact.
Battery
If the buttons on your key fob do not respond when you pressing them, this could indicate that the battery is dead or is nearing its end of life. Fortunately, replacing the battery is a simple task that can be completed by yourself rather than paying a locksmith or dealership to do it for you.
Locate auto key repair near me . It is usually located on the back of the key fob. It could be hidden behind the cover, which slides out, or an access point that opens when you press a button. When the compartment is open you can see the small button battery. This is typically shaped like an oblong coin and is identified with a plus and minus sign. Remove the old battery and replace it with a new one in its place, ensuring that the plus and minus symbols are properly aligned.
Close the compartment and snap together the two halves of your key fob. Make sure to align the parts and snap them in place correctly prior to closing the door and testing your keys. To test whether the buttons function properly Press any of them.
If the remote key fob you have purchased stops working even after you replace the battery, it may be experiencing other issues that require a different form of repair. Damage to the physical structure caused by dropping the fob into a puddle for instance, can sometimes cause it to cease functioning completely. Or, it could be suffering from an electrical issue within the device or might need to be deprogrammed by an expert or locksmith. Find out if the issue is related to your key fob using these other common methods for troubleshooting your car.
Switches
There are a variety of switches used in the car key fob, dependent on the year and model. The older model of key usually has a separate chip that you can see in the case, whereas newer keys are more advanced and work by sending signals to the car. Whatever the model, the buttons on the key can get worn down or damaged with normal use. They become hard to press or unresponsive. If you press the button with force it could cause more damage. It could also stop the key from working in the future.
If you are unable to get your key to work, try changing the batteries. If this doesn't work, you might need to clean your key fob or re-adjust the switches. These tiny electronic switches are more prone than the 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. This film can wear off over time. Luckily, they're also tiny and affordable to replace. They are soldered onto the circuit board, which means you need to carefully remove the old ones without causing any damage to any other part of the circuit. You can then solder the new ones in and reassemble the fob.
Do not use your car key fob for more than two hours at a time, and avoid leaving it visible. If you're not using your key, put it away in a secure location.
If the problem persists after you have cleaned your key fob or battery, and tried to clean it, you may need to consult an expert locksmith. A professional locksmith can check the frequency of your key to determine if your vehicle is still capable of communicating. They can also open and replace microswitches as well as change cases, and more.
Outer Case
A key fob spends much of its time bouncing around and when the buttons aren't able to move between the case they can get stuck or break. If replacing the battery or cleaning with a cotton swab and some rubbing alcohol doesn't fix the issue, taking off the case and inspecting might be necessary. If the contacts where the buttons touch aren't fitting well or are worn out, adjusting them could be the only way to fix the issue.
Rubber buttons wear out over the years. The buttons made of rubber can become difficult to press when they stretch, and nails can scratch them. In this case the key may fail and it's time to replace the case or the buttons. This repair involves disassembling the remote, locating the button switches on the circuit board, then heating the solder and carefully removing them. New buttons are then soldered to the circuit board. The case can then be reassembled and the horse shoe key blade piece attached. The new buttons should be snugly fitted inside the case to avoid them from falling out.
Inner Case
Since your key fob is likely to be tossed around and occasionally be pressed by accident and the buttons within can become stuck or broken over time. With the help of metallic tape and a hole punch you can solve this issue when your car isn't at home and the key fob won't work, allowing you to unlock the doors, but not to start the engine. This simple fix will allow you to safely make it back to your car and finish your trip.