The 10 Scariest Things About Car Key Button Repair

Car Key Button Repair

A broken key repair car key button is frustrating. You might need to call an emergency locksmith service that is available 24 hours a day for help or purchase a new remote.

However, you may be able to save money by fixing an old key fob rather than replacing it. This is especially true if the problem is due to a worn switch or faulty contact.

Battery

If the buttons on your key fob don't respond to pressing the buttons, it could be an obvious indication that your battery is dying or at the end of its life. Fortunately, replacing the battery is a simple task that can be completed on your own rather than hiring a locksmith or dealer to complete the task for you.

Locate the battery compartment first. The battery compartment is usually located on the back of the key fob and is often concealed behind a cover that opens or an open button that opens the access point. When the compartment is open then you will find the small battery. It is usually shaped like coins and identified with an minus and plus sign. Remove the battery that is old and replace it with a new one. Check that the plus and minus symbols are aligned correctly.

Close the compartment and snap the two halves of your key fob. Be sure to align the pieces and snap them in place properly before closing the door and testing your keys. Press any of the buttons to verify that they work properly.

If the remote keyfob isn't working after replacing the battery, there may be other problems that require a different type of repair key. Dropping the fob into a pool of water can cause it to stop functioning. Or, it could be suffering from an internal electrical failure or may need to be deprogrammed by a locksmith or locksmith. Check out these other common automotive troubleshooting methods to determine whether your key fob may be having a problem of its own.

Switches

There are many kinds of switches used in the car key fob according to the year and model. The older style of key usually has a separate chip which you can see in the case, while the modern keys are more sophisticated and function by sending signals to the car. Regardless of the type of key, the buttons on the key may become worn out or damaged with normal use. As a result, they 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 functioning in the future.

If your key doesn't seem to be working, you should first try changing the battery. If that doesn't help, you may need to clean your key fob and adjust the switches. Because these tiny electronic switches spend a lot of time getting jostled around, they are more likely to wear out than larger components of your key.

The switches have a rubbery feel and are coated with a film that conducts electricity. The film is prone to be worn away over time. Luckily, they're also tiny and inexpensive to replace. The old ones are soldered onto the circuit board so you'll need to be careful to remove them without causing any damage to anything else. Then, you can solder the new ones in and reassemble your key fob.

A good way to keep your car key fob from becoming ruined is to avoid using it for longer than a couple of hours at a stretch, and to avoid leaving it in places in areas where it is visible. When you're not using your key, store it in a safe place.

If you've already tried cleaning your key fob and replacing the battery, but the issue persists it's probably time to think about hiring the services of a locksmith. A professional locksmith can test your key's frequency to see whether your car key remote repair near me is able to communicate. They can also open and replace microswitches, alter cases, and much more.

Outer Case

If the buttons aren't able to move freely up and down the case, they may be stuck or even break. If changing the battery or cleaning with an alcohol-based swab and a cotton pad alcohol rubbing doesn't solve the problem, removing the case and checking it out could be required. If the contacts that the buttons touch are not a good fit, or if they are damaged, adjusting them could be the only solution.

Certain keys have rubber buttons which can be worn out over time. The rubber expands and nails pierce it, and the buttons become difficult to press. This can cause the key to fail and in this instance it's time to get an entirely new case or buttons. This repair involves disassembling your remote, looking for the button switches on the board, heating the solder, and carefully remove them. The circuit board is soldered with new buttons. The case is then reassembled and the horse shoe key blade piece inserted. The new buttons must be tightly fitted into the case to prevent them from falling out.

Inner Case

Since your key fob is prone to get jostled around and may sometimes be accidentally pressed and the buttons within can be damaged or stuck over time. With the help of metallic tape and a hole punch, you can fix this problem when your car is away from home when the key fob doesn't work, allowing you to unlock the doors, but not start the engine. This quick fix may allow you to safely return to your vehicle and complete your journey.