Car Key Replacement Services
If your car's remote fob stops working, it can be frustrating. Fortunately, the majority of automotive locksmiths and dealerships offer car key replacement services that can get your key functioning correctly.
Before you rush to the dealership or a locksmith professional take a few steps at home first.
Keys that have been stolen or lost are
If you dropped it in the car, left it on the counter when you ran to the store for groceries, or simply lost it and not having your key fob can be a big inconvenience. Most of these issues can be easily fixable by you, even if you don't have an expert. You may have to replace the battery, or the fob may be missing the pairing information. Both of these problems can be easily fixed.
Modern cars have remote controls that communicate with the vehicle via a radio frequency. When your fob works, it sends out a signal allowing you to lock and unlock the vehicle remotely, as in starting the engine. The fob isn't a key that can be used mechanically, so you can't simply cut it at a hardware store and used to unlock your car. The latest fobs also come with a transponder chip that must be programmed to your particular vehicle in order for keyless entry to function.
The most frequent issue with a car fob is when it loses its connection with the vehicle. This could happen if the battery goes dead or there is a power failure. Refer to the owner's manual for the correct procedure. While most modern cars offer the option of reset and re-establish the pairing, you must also refer to the manual. If reseting your fob doesn't fix the issue, you will need to have it reprogrammed. This usually requires the assistance of an automotive locksmith or a dealership.
It's costly to purchase a replacement fob for the key, and it may take a few days for a dealer to order it and program it. Some car insurance policies will cover the cost of replacing a fob, but if yours doesn't it's worth getting in touch with your car's manufacturer or a locksmith in your area to discuss having the fob replaced. They can often copy a key on the spot which will save you the cost and hassle of the tow truck. Locksmiths can also cut a new key and replace the transponder chip. This will need to be synced with your car's receiver module.
Bad Battery
While modern car remotes are convenient and offer a safer method of starting your vehicle but they can be frustrating when they stop functioning. This is usually a problem that can be resolved by simply replacing the battery on the key fob.
The majority of modern remote key fobs make use of lithium coin cell batteries that are ion. They are quite cheap and don't have any limits in life, but they do have a limit to the length of time they can last. The battery of a remote key may be more worn than normal if it is used frequently. This could be due to being pushed or pressed hard or being exposed to moisture, which could cause corrosion.
A worn out or dead battery is the most frequent cause of a car key not responding properly. If your remote key is not working, you should check this first. Often, this will fix the problem however, if it doesn't it's time to get a replacement battery.
Most of the time batteries fail because of oxidation or corrosion. It may also give off acidic fumes or leaking acid from the battery. This can cause weak connections between the terminals of the battery. You can fix this by taking the battery off and cleaning the contacts with baking soda and water. After cleaning, you can solder the connectors back in place and then test the remote again.
If you are looking for a dead battery or one that is deteriorating, you should also check whether any buttons are not working. This could be a sign of a more serious problem with your remote. You'll need to contact a professional to fix the problem. A specialist can tell you if your remote is repairable, or must be replaced. You can either repair it immediately using an onboard procedure or connect to your vehicle's OBD2 port to program a new key fob in an efficient and secure manner.
Bad Transponder Chip
Similar to the way that the remote for your garage door transmits a specific signal to its receptor so that it opens or closes and closes, the chip in your car key sends a unique code to the computer system in your car. This code tells the vehicle that it's the owner who is legitimate and prevents anyone else from starting the engine.
When you try to start your car but it doesn't start, this is an indication that your transponder has failed. This could be due to many reasons, but is typically an indication that you require an entirely new key.
A transponder chip which has failed is another indication. Your car won't lock with your key fob. In this case, you'll need to lock your car manually. This can be very frustrating, especially if your car is already locked.
The transponder can stop working if the battery in your key fob is not functioning. Over time, the battery will gradually lose its charge. Always keep a spare key fob on hand so you can swap the battery as required.
There are a variety of other issues with the transponder chip on cars, but these are the most prevalent. Contact an auto locksmith as fast as you can when your key fob's power source is dead or if the chip that controls transponder has become malfunctioning. They can either reprogram the key or replace it completely, according to what's required. linked here will be able to identify the issue for you and provide a dependable solution. They will usually be cheaper than taking your car to an auto dealer.
Pairings that are corrupted or lost
It's not uncommon to see your car's remote to lose its functionality over time. There are a few quick solutions you can attempt to make your remote work again.
The first thing you must try is using a backup key to unlock and lock your vehicle. This will ensure that the fob isn't the cause of the issue, and determine if there is any mechanical issues with the locks in the case that it is found to be an electrical issue.
Batteries are usually all you need to fix car key fobs. It's not costly to replace the batteries and you don't require special equipment.
It is essential to choose the correct type of battery. The majority of automotive remotes are designed to work with CR2025 or CR2032 batteries, though some may use other kinds. You can check the label on the remote or take a look inside if not certain. The battery will have a number written or printed on it. You can also utilize a multimeter to determine the voltage.
Another solution is to test a different pair of batteries. The batteries in the remote could be damaged or worn out over time. Replacing them may help restore the functionality of the remote.
If replacing the battery isn't working, try to clean out your fob and make sure all the buttons are working properly. Key fobs for cars can get pretty dirty from being bashed around in pockets and purses and aren't completely indestructible. In some cases, simply taking them off and cleaning them and flexing them back and out can get your remote back up and running.
If you've tried everything listed here and the car key fob not working it is likely that you require it to be changed by a professional. Grays Locksmiths will do this and will provide you with either a new replacement or a reconditioned one, if required.