20 Things You Must Know About Car Key Button Repair
Car Key Button Repair A broken car key button can be frustrating. You might need to call a 24-hour locksmith Service for help or purchase a new remote. However, you may be in a position to save money by repairing an old key fob rather than replacing it. This is especially true when the problem is due to a worn switch or faulty contact. Battery If your key fob's buttons do not respond when you pressing them, it could indicate that the battery is dead or is close to the end of life. It's easy to replace the battery yourself, rather than paying for an auto locksmith or dealership. Find the battery compartment first. The battery compartment is typically located on the back of the key fob and is often concealed behind a cover that opens or a button that opens the access point. Once the compartment is exposed, locate the small button cell battery. It is usually shaped like an ordinary coin and is identified with a plus and the minus symbol. Remove the old battery and put a brand new one in its place, ensuring that the plus and minus signs are correctly aligned. Close the compartment and snap the two halves of your key fob. Before closing the door make sure to align and snap the components into the correct position. Press any of the buttons to ensure that they work properly. If your remote key fob ceases working after replacing the battery, it might be suffering from other issues that require a different kind of repair. Dropping the device 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. Check out these other common automotive troubleshooting methods to determine whether your key fob may be suffering from a different issue. Switches There are a variety of switches that are used in the car key fob, depending on the year and model. The older style keys have a chip that is visible in the case. The latest keys operate by sending signals to your car. The keys' buttons can be damaged or worn out through regular use, irrespective of the type. The result is they become difficult to press, or even ineffective. If you try to force the button to work it could cause further damage and potentially stop the key from starting your vehicle in the future. If your key doesn't appear to be working, you should first try changing the battery. If it doesn't work, you might have to clean your key fob or adjust its switches. These tiny electronic switches are more susceptible than larger parts of the key to break since they are constantly tossed about. The switches are made of rubber, and are coated with an electricity conducting film that wears down over time. However, they're tiny and inexpensive to replace. They're soldered on the circuit board, so you need to carefully remove the old ones without causing any damage to anything else. You can then solder the new ones into and then reassemble your fob. A good way to keep your car key fob from becoming damaged is to avoid using it for longer than a couple of hours at a time and also to not leave it in areas that it will be visible. Also, try to find a secure location to store your keys when you aren't using it. If you've tried cleaning your key fob and replacing the battery, and the issue continues to persist it's probably time to consider an appointment with a locksmith. A professional can check the frequency of your key to see if it's still able to communicate with your vehicle. They can also open and replace micro switches, swap cases and more. Outer Case Key fobs spend much of its time bouncing around, and when the buttons aren't able to move up and down within the case, they may become stuck or broken. If replacing the battery or cleaning it with a cotton swab and some rubbing alcohol doesn't fix the issue, taking off the case and inspecting could be required. If the contacts the buttons touch are not a good fit, or if they are worn, changing them might be the only option. remote key repairs can get worn out over time. The rubber stretches, nails gouge into it and the buttons can become difficult to press. In this case the key may fail, and it's time to replace the case or the buttons. This repair involves disassembling your remote, looking for the buttons on the board, heating the solder and carefully taking them off. New buttons are then soldered to the circuit board. The case can be rebuilt, and the horseshoe key blade piece can be inserted. The new buttons must be a close fit inside the case to avoid them falling out. Inner Case Since your key fob is prone to be tossed around and occasionally be pressed by accident and the buttons inside may be damaged or stuck over time. Using metal tape and a hole punch, you can fix this problem when your car is away from home when the key fob isn't working and allows you to open the doors, but not start the engine. This simple fix can allow you to safely make it back to your vehicle and continue your journey.