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What To Do If Your Key Fob Stops Working
A non-functional key fob is an annoyance that may put your entire routine off.
While it may seem strange to think of your key fob as requiring regular maintenance, it is important to remember that if it fails, you will be unable to enter your vehicle at all, let alone start the engine.
If your key is broken, the first step is to figure out what’s wrong and whether it’s easier to fix it or replace the complete key fob.
There are a few options for accomplishing this. Here are some suggestions for dealing with a non-working key fob.
Replace the battery
The battery, as you might expect, is the most typical cause of an electric key fob’s failure. This is a reasonably simple problem to resolve, albeit you may need a ride to get to a store to purchase a replacement fob battery. Because this is such a prevalent issue, it’s a good idea to keep replacement batteries or even a backup key fob on hand at your home or in a handbag or backpack you use frequently.
While a dead key fob battery should be the first thing to look for, key fobs might also have additional issues that require more work to resolve.
Replace or Repair Your Key Fob
If changing the battery doesn’t solve the problem, there are a few other things you can do. Taking apart the key fob and ensuring that none of the buttons appear to be out of place or broken is one thing to try. Because your key fob is likely to get a lot of use and spend a lot of time being jostled around, buttons can break or become stuck, and changing them can be all you need to get it operating again. You can also have the remote checked by an expert. It’s possible that the key has to be reprogrammed or that it needs to be adjusted in some way.
While you may be able to repair a broken fob, it is often more convenient to replace it. A replacement fob can cost little depending on the make and model of your car, while they can be more expensive in other circumstances and wind up costing you quite a bit. While replacements can be costly, they are occasionally the best and safest alternative. You don’t want to put too much faith in a faulty key and end up stranded somewhere.
What To Do If You’re In A Rush
If you are stranded someplace far from home and can’t start your automobile, the scenario can be unpleasant at best and terrifying at worst. While being taken off guard by a key malfunction is never nice, being calm and considering your choices is critical. Even if you generally use the button to unlock your automobile, the fob often contains a real key. Even if it doesn’t work to start your car, at the very least you should be able to use it to get inside it (though it can start certain cars).
If your vehicle has a push-to-start button ignition rather than a turn-key ignition, a key that isn’t dead but has a low battery may not be recognized by the vehicle from afar. You could try pressing the key against the button and trying to start the car again. Some push-button ignition systems, usually between the steering wheel and the infotainment system, may also offer a spot to insert the physical key and start the vehicle.
Be Ready For Any Sudden Key Fob Problem
While it may be an uncomfortable addition to your day, the unfortunate truth is that no matter how well your key fob is cared for, it will eventually break. Fortunately, key fob problems are rarely significant or complicated, and can easily be resolved by simply replacing the battery. If you are still having issues after mending or replacing your key fob, it is possible you are dealing with something more serious. This could mean that something else is wrong with your car, but this is uncommon. Having a spare key is one of the greatest ways to prepare for key fob troubles and avoid being caught off guard.
