What's Holding Back The Key Repair Industry?
How to Repair a Remote Key
While the majority of remote key fobs have amazing battery lives, they will eventually wear out. Sometimes it's as simple as replacing the batteries, but sometimes there are more serious issues.
A quick fix that can help is dismantling the remote, cleaning the buttons and moving them in and out. These steps could be all you require to get your key fob working again.
Battery
If the fob continues to working it is possible to swap out the CR2025 or CR2032 battery. If not, you can examine the battery terminals or buttons to determine if there are any loose parts. You should be able to solder the terminals and buttons back into place. However, you'll have to know the kind of battery is being used in the fob.
If you're unsure if the battery is the problem, make use of a backup fob to start or unlock your vehicle. If you're able to do so, it's probably time to replace the primary fob. If it's not require replacement, you'll require a professional examine it to find the problem. It could be as simple as reconfiguration, or it may require other types repair. You may also find that your vehicle has forgotten the fob. This isn't something you can tackle by yourself.
Case Study
The outer plastic housing of a remote is called the case. It typically comes with a replacement button pad. It is important to use a new case, as the original one is likely to be a bit shabby and it is crucial that the circuit board is set correctly inside the case. The circuit board is responsible for controlling the function of the key fob. You can test it by using an instrument set to RF (radiofrequency) mode and a scanner that is tuned to the same frequency as the key fob.
Check the contact points of the buttons on the keypad. They may have become loose over time or have been damaged. A careful soldering process to put them back in place will often restore them to their original function unless they break completely.
Buttons
If the buttons on your key fob aren't working or are difficult to push, you can purchase an alternative dorman or Motormite remote key housing online at a low cost for the model/year/make. Then, simply pop keys repair from your old case into the new one. In some cases it may be necessary to adjust the board's position slightly. The black contact points of buttons can be adhered to aluminum foil using double-sided tape.
Programming
The key fob is paired with the receiver in your vehicle and this connection can become corrupted. A professional will assess the car to determine the make of the vehicle, year of manufacture and model. They use specialist equipment to re-pair or program an empty fob or transponder chip (or duplicate a key in the event that it is possible). Then they test the remote to be sure it functions.
It is crucial to be cautious when reprogramming the blank key, because the process is often complicated and different manufacturers require slightly different steps. It is easy to miss a key step or to wait too long to exit the programming mode. To minimize the risk of causing damage to your vehicle it is recommended to work with an expert who has extensive knowledge of the security system in your vehicle. Certain programming tools that are essential to use can also detect diagnostic trouble codes on your vehicle. This can help you repair or troubleshoot other issues.