Key fobs have taken us from the old-fashioned keys that got lost, scratched car doors and wouldn’t work on frozen door locks to the technology-rich convenience of using mini handheld computers.
When working well, key fobs save a lot of time and spoil us with the options of starting and locking cars from a distance or sounding an alarm when we can’t remember where we parked our vehicle.
Much like feeling lost without access to your cell phone, fixing an inoperable key fob moves to the top of the priority list, as well.
Here are some common reasons for a key fob to stop working and what you can do to get it back up and running fast.
Dead Battery
Whether your remote works intermittently or goes completely dead, the first thing to check is the battery.
Key fobs are powered by a lithium battery, which typically last a long time.
Changing the battery in a key fob is a very simple process that literally takes about five minutes. Consult your vehicle owner’s manual or head over to YouTube for helpful instructional videos.
Damage
Damage to either your fob (also known as a remote transmitter) or your vehicle’s receiver will disable pairing and in turn, the fob. This happens when either the transmitter or receiver incur damage or shock of some kind, including water damage.
If the damage isn’t too severe, try resetting the fob first per instructions in your owner’s manual. If that doesn’t work, contact a dealership for analysis and possible reprogramming or replacement of the fob.
There is also the possibility that internal fob components have been damaged due to shock or trauma. In that case, the professionals at a dealership will need to take a look to rule out that possibility or replace the damaged components.
Programming Issues
Your key fob works by pairing with the receiver in your vehicle. If there’s an issue with the receiver or fob programming, your fob won’t work properly. Programming issues can be caused by a low or dead battery or damage to the fob itself.
Directions for resetting the fob can be found in your owner’s manual. If that doesn’t work, you should schedule a visit to a dealership so they can reprogram the fob and re-establish pairing with your vehicle.
Conclusion
We hope these tips help you avoid unexpected downtime with your key fobs.
For more expert advice and handling of more serious issues such as dent or collision repair, reach out to the experts at Downtown Autobody in Rohnert Park.
In the New Year and always, our goal is to get you back on the road quickly and safely.