Car Key Button Repair
A broken car key button can be a hassle. You may need to call a 24-hour locksmith Service for help or purchase a new remote.
You may be able save money by repairing your old key fob instead of replacing it. This is especially true when the issue is caused by an old switch or a damaged contact.
Battery
If the buttons on your key fob don't respond to pressing, that could be a indication that the battery is dying or nearing the end of its life. Fortunately, replacing the battery is an easy task that can be done on your own rather than hiring a locksmith or dealer to do it for you.
Find the battery compartment first. The battery compartment is usually located on the back of the key fob and may be hidden behind a cover that can slide out or an open button that opens the access point. When the compartment is open, locate the small button battery. It is usually shaped like a small coin and marked with an plus and the minus symbol. Take try what she says out and replace it with a new one in its place, making sure that the plus and minus marks are properly aligned.
Close the compartment and snap the two halves of your key fob. Make sure to align the pieces and snap them into place properly before closing the door and testing your keys. To test that the buttons function correctly, press any of them.
If your remote key fob stops working even after you replace the battery, it may 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 experiencing an internal electrical failure or it may require to be deprogrammed by an expert or locksmith. Check out these other common car troubleshooting tips to see whether your key fob may be experiencing a different issue.
Switches
Depending on the year and make, there are different kinds of switches available on the car keyfob. The older style keys have an embedded chip that can be seen inside the case. The modern keys function by sending signals to your car. The buttons on a key may be worn out or damaged due to regular use, irrespective of the model. This causes them to 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 work, try changing the batteries. If this doesn't work, you might need to clean the key fob or adjust the switches. These tiny electronic switches are more likely than larger components of the key to break because they are constantly jostled.
The switches have a rubbery feel and are coated with an electrical conductor. The film is prone to fade over time. Luckily, they're also tiny and affordable to replace. They are soldered onto the circuit board, therefore it is important to take them off without damaging other components. You can then solder new ones into and reassemble the fob.
An effective way to protect your car key fob from being damaged is to not use it for longer than a couple of hours at a stretch, and to keep it out of the way in places that it will be visible. If you're not using your key, store it in a safe place.
If you've already tried cleaning your key fob or replacing the battery, but the problem persists it's time to think about hiring an appointment with a 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, change cases, and 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 cleaning the case using rubbing alcohol and a cotton swab doesn't work, it might be necessary to remove the case. If the contacts that the buttons touch aren't fitting well or are worn out, adjusting them might be the only solution to correct the issue.
Rubber buttons may wear out over the years. Rubber buttons can become hard to press as they stretch, and nails could scratch them. In this scenario, the key may fail, and it's time to replace the case or button. This repair involves removing the remote, finding the button switches on the circuit board, and then heating the solder, and then carefully removing them. The circuit board is soldered with new buttons. The case can then be rebuilt with the horse shoe key blade piece inserted. The new buttons should be securely fitted into the case to stop them from falling out.
Inner Case
Over time, your key fob's buttons may be damaged or stuck due to the constant jostling and accidental pressing. Using metallic tape and a hole punch you can usually solve this issue when your car is not at home and the key fob won't work and allows you to open the doors, but not to start the engine. This quick fix could allow you to return safely to your vehicle to finish your trip.