The 10 Scariest Things About Car Key Button Repair Car Key Button Repair

A broken car key can be a source of frustration. You might need to contact an emergency locksmith service or purchase a replacement remote.

You may be able save money by repairing your old key fob rather than replacing it. This is particularly true if a worn-out switch or faulty contacts are at the root of the problem.

Battery

If the buttons on your key fob don't respond to pressing, that could be a indication that your battery is dying or nearing the end of its lifespan. It's easy to replace the battery yourself, rather than paying for a locksmith or dealership.

First look for the battery compartment. The battery compartment is typically located on the back of the key fob, and can be hidden behind a cover that slides out or an open button that opens the access point. When the compartment is exposed, look for the small button-cell battery. This is typically shaped like an oblong coin and is has an minus and plus sign. Remove the battery that is old and replace it with a new one. Check that the plus and symbol are aligned correctly.

Close the compartment and snap together the two parts of your key fob. Before closing the door, align and snap the components in place. Press any of the buttons to verify that they function correctly.

If the remote keyfob does not work after replacing the battery, there could be other problems that require a different kind of repair. Damage to the physical structure caused by dropping the fob in a puddle, for example may cause it to stop working altogether. It could also be due to a problem with the internal electrical system, or it may need to be deprogrammed. Take a look at these other car troubleshooting tips to see if your key fob is having a problem of its own.

Switches


There are various types of switches used in the car key fob, depending on the year and make. The older style keys have a chip that is visible in the case. The newer keys work by transmitting signals to your car. Regardless of the type of key, the keys' buttons can be damaged or worn out during normal use. They become hard to press or ineffective. If you attempt to press the button too hard, it can cause further damage, and could even prevent the key from being able to start your vehicle in the future.

If your key doesn't appear to be working, you should first try changing the battery. If key repair service doesn't work it may be necessary to clean your key fob and re-adjust the switches. Since these tiny electronic switches are constantly getting jostled around, they are more likely to break down than the larger parts of your key.

key repair service are made of rubber, and are coated with an electric conductor film that is prone to wear out over time. Luckily, they're also a very small part and cheap to replace. They're soldered to the circuit board, therefore you need to carefully take them off without damaging any other part of the circuit. You can then solder new ones in and reassemble your fob.

Do not use your car key fob for more than a couple of hours at a time, and don't leave it out in the open. If you're not using your key, store it in a secure location.

If you've tried cleaning your key fob and replacing the battery, but the problem persists it's probably time to think about hiring the services of a locksmith. A professional locksmith will test your key's frequency to see whether your vehicle is able to communicate. They can also open and replace microswitches, change cases, and more.

Outer Case

A key fob spends many hours bouncing around and when the buttons aren't allowed to move up and down within the case, they may become stuck or even broken. If changing the battery or cleaning it with the help of a cotton swab or rubbing alcohol don't resolve the issue, taking off the case and examining it may be necessary. If the contacts where the buttons touch don't fit well or are worn out, adjusting them could be the only option to fix the issue.

Some keys use buttons made of rubber that wear away over time. The rubber expands, nails gouge into it, and the buttons become difficult to press. In this case the key may fail, and it's time to replace the case or buttons. This repair involves taking apart your remote, locating the button switches on the board, then heating the solder, and then carefully remove them. New buttons are then soldered to the circuit board. The case can be reassembled, and the key blade of the horseshoe can be inserted. The new buttons should be fitted snugly inside the case to keep them from falling out.

Inner Case

Since your key fob is prone to get jostled around and may occasionally be pressed by accident, the buttons inside can be damaged or stuck over time. With the help of metal tape and a hole punch you can solve this issue in the event your car is away from home when the key fob doesn't work and you are unable to open the doors, but not start the engine. This quick fix could allow you to safely return to your vehicle to complete your journey.