Car Key Button Repair
A broken car key can be a source of frustration. You may 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 especially true when an old switch or damaged contacts are at the root of the issue.
Battery
If the buttons on your key fob don't respond to pressing the buttons, that could be a indication that the battery is dead or nearing the end of its life. It's simple to replace the battery on your own, rather than paying for locksmiths or dealers.
Locate the battery compartment first. The battery compartment is typically located on the back of the key fob and may be hidden behind a cover which can slide out or a button that opens the access point. Once the compartment is opened then you will find the small battery. It is usually shaped like an ordinary coin and is identified with a plus and the minus symbol. Remove the battery from the old one and insert a new one in its place, ensuring that the plus and minus symbols are correctly aligned.
Close the compartment and snap together the two parts of your key fob. Make sure you align the parts and snap them in place correctly prior to closing the door and testing your keys. Press any of the buttons to ensure that they work properly.
If your remote key fob stops working even after you replace the battery, it could be experiencing other issues that require a different type of repair. Physical damage caused by dropping the device in a puddle for instance could cause it to stop functioning altogether. It could also be a problem with the internal electrical system or need to be deprogrammed. Take a look at these other automotive troubleshooting methods to determine whether your key fob may be suffering from a different issue.
Switches
Based on the year and the manufacturer, there are various types of switches that are used in the keyfob of your car. The older style key has an embedded chip that can be seen in the case. The latest keys operate by sending signals to your car. The buttons on a key can be damaged or worn out through normal use, regardless of the type. As a result, they become difficult to press or even unresponsive. If you force the button it could cause more damage. It may also prevent the key from functioning in the future.
If your key doesn't appear 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. Because these tiny electronic switches are constantly getting jostled around, they are more likely to break down than the larger parts of your key.
The switches are rubber-like, and are coated with an electric conductor film that can wear down over time. Fortunately, they're small and inexpensive to replace. They are soldered onto the circuit board, so you need to carefully remove the old ones without damaging any other part of the circuit. Then, you can solder the new ones into and reassemble your fob.
One way to prevent your car key fob from becoming damaged is to avoid using it for more than a few hours at a time and to avoid leaving it in visible locations that it will be visible. Also, you should locate a safe place to keep your key in when you're not using it.
If you've tried cleaning your key fob or replacing the battery, but the issue continues to persist it's the right time to seek out the services of a locksmith. A professional locksmith will test the frequency of your key to determine if your vehicle is still capable of communicating. They can also open and replace microswitches, alter cases, and much more.
Outer Case
A key fob spends much of its time bouncing around, and if the buttons aren't free to move up and down within the case, they could become stuck or even broken. If replacing automotive key repair or cleaning with the help of a cotton swab or rubbing alcohol don't resolve the problem, removing the case and examining it might be necessary. If the contacts the buttons touch are not suitable for the application or if they're worn, changing them might be the only option.
Some keys are equipped with buttons made of rubber, which wear away over time. The rubber stretches and nails cut into it and the buttons can become difficult to press. This can cause the key to fail, and in this case it's time to get an entirely new case or buttons. This repair involves disassembling your remote, finding the buttons on the board, then heating the solder, and carefully removing them. The circuit board is soldered with new buttons. The case can be rebuilt and the horseshoe key blade can be inserted. The new buttons must be snugly fitted into the case to stop them from falling out.
Inner Case
Over time, your key fob's buttons could become damaged or stuck as a result of the constant jostling and accidental pressing. With the help of metal tape and a hole punch, you can often quickly fix this problem when your car is away from home when the key fob isn't working, allowing you to unlock the doors, but not to start the engine. This simple fix can enable you to safely make it back to your vehicle and finish your trip.