Car Key Button Repair
A broken car key can be 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 saving money by fixing an old key fob instead of replacing it. This is especially true when the problem is due to a worn switch or faulty contact.
Battery
If the buttons on your key fob do not respond when you pressing them, this could indicate that the battery has failed or is nearing its end of life. Fortunately replacing the battery is an easy task that you can complete by yourself rather than hiring a locksmith or dealer to complete the task for you.
First look for the battery compartment. The battery compartment is typically located on the back of the key fob and may be hidden behind a cover which opens or an open button that opens the access point. When the compartment is open you can see the small button cell battery. It's usually shaped like the shape of a coin and is marked with an plus and the minus symbol. Take the battery out and put a brand new one in its place, making sure that the plus and minus signs are aligned correctly.
Close the compartment and snap the two parts of your key fob. Make sure to align the parts and snap them into place properly before closing the door and testing your keys. To verify that the buttons function correctly, press any of them.
If the remote keyfob doesn't work after replacing the battery, it could be other problems that require a different kind of repair. Damage to the physical structure caused by dropping the device in a puddle, for instance may cause it to stop functioning altogether. It could also be a problem with the internal electrical system or the need to be deprogrammed. Take a look at these other auto troubleshooting techniques to determine whether your key fob may be suffering from a different issue.
Switches
Depending on the year and manufacturer, there are various kinds of switches available that are used in the car keyfob. The older style key is equipped with an electronic chip that is visible in the case. The newer keys work by sending signals to your car. The keys' buttons can be damaged or worn out through regular use, irrespective of the model. They can become difficult to press or ineffective. If you attempt to press the button too hard, it can cause further damage and potentially stop the key from being able to start your vehicle in the future.
If your key doesn't seem to be working, first try changing the battery. If that doesn't work, you may need to clean your key fob and re-adjust the switches. Because these tiny electronic switches are constantly being tossed around they are more prone to fail than the larger parts of your key.
The switches are rubber-like, and are coated with an electricity conducting film that can wear down over time. Fortunately, they are also small and inexpensive to replace. The older ones are soldered to the circuit board so you will need to carefully remove them without causing damage to other parts. Then you can solder the new ones in and rebuild your key fob.
A good way to keep your car key fob from being ruined is to avoid using it for more than a few hours at a time, and to keep it out of the way in areas in areas where it is visible. Also, try to find a secure location to store your key when you aren't using it.
If the problem persists after you've cleaned your key fob replaced the battery and attempted to clean it, then you may need to talk to an expert locksmith. A professional locksmith can test your key's frequency to see if your vehicle is still able to communicate. They can also open and replace microswitches as well as change cases, and much more.
Outer Case
Key fobs spend much of its time bouncing around and when the buttons aren't able to move upwards and downwards within the case, they could become stuck or broken. If cleaning the case with rubbing alcohol and a cotton swab fails to work, it could be necessary to remove the case. If the contacts that the buttons touch aren't fitting well or are worn out, adjusting them may be the only way to fix the problem.
Rubber buttons may wear out over the years. The rubber is stretched and nails pierce it, and the buttons become difficult to press. In this situation, the key may fail, and it's time to replace the case or the buttons. This repair involves disassembling the remote, locating the buttons on the circuit board, and then heating the solder before carefully remove them. The circuit board then gets soldered with new buttons. The case can be rebuilt and the horseshoe key blade can be attached. The new buttons should be securely fitted inside the case to keep them from falling out.
Inner Case
Over time the buttons on your key fob could become damaged or stuck as a result of the constant jolting and accidental pressing. Utilizing metallic tape and a hole-punch, you can usually solve this issue when your car isn't at home and the key fob won't work and allows you to open the doors, but not to start the engine. broken car key repair could allow you to return safely to your vehicle to complete your trip.