While there are a few reasons that a keyless entry remote might stop working, most of them are pretty easy to check yourself. The most common problem with these car key fobs is that the batteries go dead over time, in which case replacing the battery should fix the problem. Other key fob remote problems are more complicated, but it’s still possible to fix them. Here are the five things you’ll want to check first when your remote stops locking or unlocking your car doors:
Verify that the remote is bad by using a backup remote.Check and replace the key fob battery as needed.Take the key fob apart and check for broken contacts or misaligned buttons.Reprogram your remote yourself or have a professional do it.Replace your remote if necessary.
Is Your Car Key Remote Actually Bad?
It’s extremely basic stuff, and it won’t apply to many people, but the first step in figuring out what is wrong with a car key remote is to verify that the problem is the remote. So if you have a second remote, and you haven’t already done so, you’ll want to check whether or not it works. If the backup remote can lock and unlock your doors, then you’ll know for sure that there’s a problem with your main remote. If your backup remote doesn’t work either, it’s always possible that it is also bad. However, there could also be a mechanical or electrical problem with the door locks. At this point, you’ll want to check and make sure that your physical key, or emergency valet key, can work the locks.
What About Cars With No Physical Keys?
Some cars have push-button ignitions that only operate when the key fob is close. These vehicles usually have a physical key for locking and unlocking the doors, but it may be hidden. The key fob will often have a hidden key inside, so if you don’t have a physical key for your vehicle, check the fob for a release button or switch. The other issue you may run into is that some car doors don’t have any visible place to insert a key. Most of these vehicles still have a keyhole, but it may be hidden behind a trim piece near the door handle. In that case, you will want to look for a trim piece with a small slot in it, which you will have to pry away to access the keyhole. The locks are probably fine mechanically if you can lock and unlock the doors with the physical key. However, there could still be an electrical problem. You can rule part of this out by locking and unlocking all of the doors via the primary physical control inside the vehicle, which would indicate that the electronics are OK. There is always a possibility that the receiver could be bad or even disconnected, but it’s more likely that there’s just an issue with your keyless entry remote. You can check behind and under the dashboard for loose wires, but don’t connect or plug anything in if you can’t verify that it’s the wireless door lock receiver.
Check Your Keyless Entry Remote Battery
Most car key remotes use category 4 button cell batteries that aren’t expensive. However, it’s still a good idea to verify the actual battery your remote uses and check whether it’s good. There are a few ways to determine the type of battery you need. It may say in your manual, or you can contact a local dealer. You can also open up the remote and look at the battery, which will typically have a number printed or stamped into its surface. Once you know what type of battery is in your remote, you can either check the voltage with a multimeter or swap out a known good battery since they aren’t that expensive. Most of these batteries should show about 3 to 3.6 volts. If your car key remote works after replacing the battery, then you’re done. You’ve fixed the problem, and you can go back to using your key fob as usual. If the remote still doesn’t work, there could be another problem with the remote, like broken battery contacts or a problem with the buttons. It’s also possible that your vehicle may have forgotten your fob, in which case you will need to reprogram it.
Broken Internal Contacts in Car Key Remotes
Key fobs get their fair share of physical abuse, and they aren’t indestructible. The two most common points of failure are the battery terminal contacts and the buttons, although there are many other ways they can break. The best way to check this out on your own is to pull the remote apart again and do a thorough visual inspection. If the battery connector terminals are broken, you can tell by looking at them, and they may also feel loose. If they are, carefully soldering them back in place may return your broken key fob to useful service. If the battery terminals don’t look broken, you may find an issue where the buttons are soldered and have come loose. They may be soldered back in place as well if you find that they have come loose unless a button physically snaps off. In that case, you’ll typically need to obtain a new remote. The rubberized buttons used by most car key remotes can fail in many ways. If you notice that one or more of the buttons look like they aren’t popping back out correctly or seem to have come apart inside, that can prevent a car key remote from working properly. In that case, try removing the buttons, cleaning them, flexing them in and out, and then reassembling the remote. If the buttons still don’t work, you’ll need to obtain a new remote.
Reprogramming a Car Key Remote
For a car key remote to work securely, it has to be effectively paired with the receiver unit in your car. Then someone with the same make and model can’t walk up and use their fob to unlock your vehicle. If your keyless entry remote and your car are no longer on speaking terms, you will have to reprogram your car’s keyless entry system to regain your car key remote functionality. You can accomplish this by turning the key in the ignition several times with the doors shut.
Standard Key Fob Programming Sequence
Here’s the basic procedure for a standard key fob programming sequence:
Alternative Programming Sequence
Different vehicles use different procedures. Here’s another one you can try if the first didn’t work: There are other methods, and some require special equipment. In that case, you may have to contact your local dealer or an independent shop that has experience with your particular make and model of vehicle. If you have an aftermarket car security system that includes remote-controlled door locks in addition to a car alarm, then you’ll need to check for any special reprogramming procedures associated with it.
Replacing a Broken Car Key Remote
If nothing else works, there is always a chance that the receiver inside your car is broken or disconnected. In that case, you’ll probably have to take your vehicle to a professional. The other option is to buy a replacement remote, which you can obtain either new from your local dealer or used. If you get a used one, you will have to reprogram your vehicle to recognize it before it will lock and unlock your doors. So if you discovered in an earlier step that your car uses a remote that one can’t easily reprogram at home, keep that in mind. Used car key remotes are typically cheaper than new ones, but costs associated with programming may outweigh the savings.
