Question: Why isn’t my car key remote working?
My car has one of those car key remote things that you can use to lock and unlock the doors. It always used to work, but it just quit all of a sudden. It’s a huge pain because I like to be able to use that when my hands are full, like when I’m grocery shopping, and getting to my car and having the key remote thing not actually unlock the doors is incredibly annoying. Is there any way to get it working again, or figure out why it stopped working, or am I out of luck?
Answer:
There are a few different reasons that a keyless entry remote might stop working, and most of them are pretty easy to check yourself. The most common problem with these car key fobs is that the batteries just go dead over time, in which case replacing the battery should fix the problem.
If the battery is okay, or replacing the dead battery doesn’t do the trick, then reprogramming your vehicle to accept your remote may be the answer to your problem. This is a process that you can often do at home if you are able to find the right procedure, but you can also get it done at a dealership or qualified independent shop.
Car key remotes can also suffer from button problems that you may or may not be able to fix yourself. In a worst case scenario, if your remote is not repairable, buying a replacement is also an option.
Is Your Car Key Remote Actually Bad?
This is extremely basic stuff, and it won’t apply to a lot of people, but the first step in figuring out what is wrong with a car key remote is to verify that the problem is actually 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 is able to lock and unlock your doors, then you’ll know for sure that there’s actually some kind of 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. If your physical key, or emergency valet key, is able to work the locks, then they’re probably fine physically. And if you can lock and unlock all of the doors via the physical master control inside the vehicle, that means the electric locks are in working order.
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.
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 to see whether or not 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 just open up the remote and look at the battery, which will typically have a number printed or stamped into its surface. Car key remotes typically use CR2025 or CR2032 batteries, although CR1620, CR1632, and others are also used in some applications.
Once you know what type of battery is in your remote, you can either check the voltage with a multimeter, or just 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. If it doesn’t, then 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 are exposed to more physical abuse than most electronics, and they aren’t indestructible. The two most common points of failure are the battery terminal contacts and the buttons, although there are a lot of other ways they can break.
The best way to check this out on your own is to just pull the remote apart again and do a thorough visual inspection. If the battery connector terminals are broken, you should be able to tell by looking at them, and they may also feel loose. If they are, then 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 in place. They may be soldered back in place as well, if you find that they have come loose, unless a button is physically snapped off.
The rubberized buttons used by most car key remotes can fail in a number of ways. If you notice that one or more of the buttons look like they aren’t popping back out correctly, or they seem to have come apart inside, that can prevent a car key remote from working properly.
Reprogramming a Car Key Remote
In order for a car key remote to work in a secure manner, it has to be effectively paired with the receiver unit in your car. This prevents anyone with the same make and model from walking up and using their fob to unlock your car.
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. This is often accomplished by getting in your vehicle, closing the door, and inserting the keys in the ignition. Rather than starting the vehicle, you will have to turn the key to the run position and back to the locked position several times in a row. If you turn the key to the start position, and the starter engages, you’ve turned it too far.
In the case that your vehicle uses that method of reprogramming, you will typically hear a chime after you have cycled the key several times. You can then press one of the lock or unlock buttons on the remote, after which you should hear the chime a second time.
Another method that some vehicles use is to get in the car and lock the door. You will then have to insert your key into the ignition and pull it back out six times within the span of 10 seconds. If your vehicle uses this method, and you succeed in doing it correctly, the exterior and interior lights will flash.
After the lights flash, you will have to insert your key and turn it to the accessory position, then push one button on your remote. If everything worked correctly, your hazards will flash.
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 included remote-controlled door locks in addition to an alarm, then you'll need to check for any special reprogramming procedures associated with the system you purchased.
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. You’ll probably have to take your car to a professional if you want to be absolutely sure that it’s working, however
The other option is to just buy a replacement remote, which you can obtain either new from your local dealer or used. If you buy a used one, you will have to reprogram your vehicle to recognize it before it will actually lock and unlock your doors. So if you discovered in an earlier step that your vehicle uses a remote that can’t be easily reprogrammed at home, you’ll want to keep that in mind. Used car key remotes are typically cheaper than new ones, but the programming cost may outweigh the savings.
Sources: lifewire
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