10 Things We All Hate About Car Key Button Repair

Car Key Button Repair

A broken car key button is frustrating. It is possible to call an emergency locksmith service or purchase an alternative remote.

However, you might be saving money by repairing a worn-out key fob rather than replacing it. This is particularly true if the issue is caused by an old switch or a damaged contact.

Battery

If your key fob's buttons are not responding to your pressing them, this could indicate that the battery is dead or is about to reach the end of life. Fortunately replacing the battery is an easy task that can be done on your own rather than hiring a locksmith to do it for you.

First find the battery compartment. This is usually found on the backside of the key fob. It could be hidden behind the cover, which slides out, or an access point that opens when you push the button. After the compartment is exposed then look for the small button-cell battery. It is usually shaped like coins and has a plus and minus sign. Take the old battery out, and replace it with a brand new one. Make sure the plus and symbol are aligned correctly.

Once the battery is in place, close the compartment and snap the two halves of the key fob together. Make sure to align the parts and secure them correctly prior to closing the door and testing your keys. Press any of the buttons to ensure that they work properly.

If the remote keyfob does not work after replacing the battery, it could be other issues that require a different type of repair. The fob's dropping in a puddle could cause it to stop working. It could also be a problem with the internal electrical system or need to be deprogrammed. See if you can find out if the problem is related to your key fob using these other car troubleshooting techniques.

Switches

Depending on the year and make, there are different kinds of switches that are found in the keyfob of your car. The older model of key often has a separate chip that you can see in the case, whereas newer keys are more advanced and function by sending signals to the car. Whatever the model of key, the buttons on the key can get worn down or damaged when used regularly. As a result, they become difficult to press, or even unresponsive. If you attempt to force the button to function, it can cause further damage and potentially stop the key from starting your vehicle key repairs in the future.

If your key doesn't seem to be working, first try changing the battery. If that doesn't help then you might need to clean your key fob and re-adjust the switches. These tiny electronic switches are more likely than the larger parts of the key to break due to the fact that they are constantly tossed about.

The switches have a rubbery feel and are coated with an electrical conductor. The film is prone to fade over time. Fortunately, they are also small and affordable to replace. They are soldered onto the circuit board, therefore you must carefully remove the old ones without causing any damage to any other part of the circuit. Then, you can solder the new ones in and reassemble your key fob.

Don't use your car key fob for more than two hours at a time, and don't leave it out in the open. If you're not using your key, put it away in a safe place.

If you've tried cleaning your key fob or replacing the battery, and the issue persists it's probably time to think about hiring a locksmith. A professional locksmith can test the frequency of your key to see if it's still able to communicate with your vehicle, open and replace micro switches, change cases and more.

Outer Case

Key fobs spend many hours bouncing around, and if the buttons aren't free to move between the case, they could become stuck or even broken key repair near me. If cleaning the case using rubbing alcohol and a cotton swab doesn't work, it might be necessary to take off the case. If the contacts that the buttons touch aren't an ideal fit or are damaged, adjusting them could be the only option.

Some keys are equipped with buttons made of rubber, which wear away over time. The rubber is stretched, nails gouge into it and the buttons can become difficult to press. This could cause the key to fail and in this instance it's time for an entirely new case or buttons. This repair involves disassembling the remote key repair near me, finding the button switches on the circuit board, and then heating the solder and carefully removing them. New buttons are then attached to the circuit board. The case can then be rebuilt with the horse shoe key blade piece inserted. The new buttons should be snugly fitted into the case to prevent them from falling out.

Inner Case

Since your key fob is prone to be tossed around and could sometimes be accidentally pressed and the buttons inside may become stuck or broken over time. If your key fob isn't working when you are away from home, you can fix the problem quickly by using metallic tape and a punch hole. This will allow you to unlock doors, but not start the car. This quick fix could allow you to safely return to your vehicle to complete your journey.