Car Key Button Repair
A broken car key can be a source of frustration. It is possible to contact an emergency locksmith service that is available 24 hours a day for assistance or purchase a replacement remote.
However, you may be able to save money by repairing a worn-out key fob rather than replacing it. This is especially true if the problem is due to the worn-out switch or defective contact.
Battery
If your key fob's buttons are not responding to your pressing them, it could be a sign the battery has died or is nearing its end of life. Fortunately replacing the battery is an easy task that can be done on your own instead of hiring a locksmith or dealer to take care of it.
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 slides out or an open button that opens the access point. Once the compartment is opened you can see the small button battery. It's usually shaped like an ordinary coin and is has a plus and the minus symbol. Remove the old battery and insert a new one in its place, ensuring that the plus and minus marks are properly aligned.
Close the compartment and snap the two halves of your key fob. Make sure you align the two pieces and snap them into place properly prior to closing the door and testing your keys. To ensure that the buttons work properly, press any of them.
If remote car key repair doesn't work after replacing the battery, there could be other issues that require a different kind of repair. The fob's dropping into a puddle can cause it to cease functioning. Alternatively, it might be experiencing an electrical issue within the device or it may require to be deprogrammed by a dealer or locksmith. Also, take a look at these common car troubleshooting tips to see whether your key fob may be suffering from a different issue.
Switches
Based on the year and the manufacturer, there are various kinds of switches that are found on the keyfob of your car. The older style of key often has an additional chip that is visible in the case, while the modern keys are more sophisticated and operate by sending signals to the car. The keys' buttons can be damaged or worn out due to normal use, regardless of the type. This causes them to become difficult to press, or even unresponsive. If you press the button with force, it could cause further damage. It could also stop the key from working in the future.
If you can't get your key to work, try changing the batteries. If that doesn't help it may be necessary to clean the key's fob and re-adjust the switches. These tiny electronic switches are more likely than larger parts of the key to break due to the fact that they are constantly tossed about.
The switches are rubber-like and are coated with an electric conductor film that can wear down over time. Fortunately, they're tiny and inexpensive to replace. They're soldered on 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 the new ones into and then reassemble your fob.
Avoid using your car key fob for more than two hours at a time and do not leave it open. If you don't use your key, keep it in a secure place.
If you've already tried cleaning your key fob and replacing the battery, and the issue persists it's time to think about hiring the services of a locksmith. A professional locksmith can test the frequency of your key to see whether it's still able communicate with your vehicle. They can also open and replace micro switches, swap cases and much more.
Outer Case
A key fob spends a lot of time jostled around and when the buttons aren't able to move up and down within the case, they may become stuck or even broken. If replacing the battery or cleaning with the help of a cotton swab or rubbing alcohol doesn't fix the issue, then removing the case and inspecting may be necessary. If the contacts the buttons touch are not suitable for the application or are worn, adjusting them may be the only solution.
Certain keys have buttons made of rubber that wear away over time. The rubber expands and nails pierce it and the buttons can become difficult to press. In this case the key may fail, and it's time to replace the case or button. This repair involves disassembling the remote, then locating the button switches on the circuit board, then heating the solder, and then 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 should be snugly fitted inside the case to avoid them from falling out.
Inner Case
Since your key fob is likely to be tossed around and sometimes be accidentally pressed and the buttons within can get damaged or stuck over time. Using metallic tape and a hole punch you can usually fix this problem in the event that your vehicle isn't at home and the key fob doesn't work, allowing you to unlock the doors, but not to start the engine. This quick fix could allow you to safely get back to your car and continue your journey.