A Rewind: How People Talked About Car Key Button Repair 20 Years Ago
Car Key Button Repair
A damaged car key button can be frustrating. It is possible to call an emergency locksmith service or purchase an alternative remote.
But, you may be in a position to save money by repairing an old key fob rather than replacing it. This is especially true if the switch is worn out or has faulty contacts are the cause of the problem.
Battery
If the buttons on the key fob aren't responding to pressing it, that could be a indication that your battery is dying or nearing the end of its life. Fortunately, replacing the battery is a simple task that you can complete on your own rather than hiring a locksmith or dealer to take care of it.
Find the battery compartment first. This is usually found on the backside of the key fob. It may be hidden behind the cover, which slides out, or an access point which opens when you press the button. Once the compartment is exposed, locate the small button battery. This is typically shaped like coins and has an minus and plus sign. Take the battery out and put a brand new one in its place, ensuring that the plus and minus signs are correctly aligned.
Close the compartment and snap together the two parts of your key fob. Before closing the door ensure that you align and snap the components into place. To test that the buttons work properly Press any of them.
If your remote keyfob still does not work after replacing the battery, it could be other problems that require a different form of repair. Read Even more from dropping the fob in a puddle for instance may cause it to stop working completely. Alternatively, it might be suffering from an internal electrical failure or might need to be deprogrammed by a dealer or locksmith. Take a look at these other auto troubleshooting techniques to determine whether your key fob is having a problem of its own.
Switches
There are various types of switches found in the car key fob depending on the year and model. The older style key has a chip that is visible in the case. The modern keys function by transmitting signals to your car. Whatever the model of key, the buttons on the key can be damaged or worn out when used regularly. The result is they become difficult to press or even unresponsive. If you press the button too hard it could cause more damage. It could also stop the key from working in the future.
If you can't get your key to function, try changing the batteries. If that doesn't work, you may need to clean your key fob and adjust the switches. These tiny electronic switches are more susceptible than larger components of the key to break since they are constantly jostled.
The switches have a rubbery feel and are coated with an electrical conductor. The film may be worn away over time. Luckily, they're also tiny and cheap to replace. They're soldered to the circuit board, so you need to carefully remove the old ones without causing any damage to any other part of the circuit. Then, you can solder in the new ones and put them back together.
One way to prevent your car key fob from being ruined is to avoid using it for more than a few hours at a stretch, and to avoid leaving it in areas in areas where it is visible. Also, try to locate a safe place to keep your key in when you're not using it.
If the problem persists after you've cleaned the key fob replaced the battery and attempted to clean it, you may need to consult a locksmith. A professional locksmith can test the frequency of your key to determine if it's still able to communicate with your vehicle, open and replace micro switches, swap cases and much more.
Outer Case
If the buttons can't move freely up and down in the case, they may be stuck or even break. 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 suitable for the application, or if they are worn, changing them might be the only option.
Rubber buttons get worn out over time. Rubber buttons can become difficult to press as they stretch, and nails may gouge them. In this situation the key could fail and it's time replace the case or buttons. This repair involves disassembling your remote, looking for the buttons on the board, heating the solder, and then carefully removing them. New buttons are then soldered to the circuit board. The case is then reassembled and the horse shoe key blade piece is attached. The new buttons should be fitted snugly into the case in order to prevent them from falling out.
Inner Case
Over time the buttons on your key fob can become damaged or stuck as a result of the continuous rubbing and accidental pressing. Utilizing metal tape and a hole punch, you can often quickly solve this issue in the event your car is away from home when the key fob doesn't work and allows you to open the doors, but not to start the engine. This quick fix may allow you to safely return to your vehicle to finish your journey.