All modern cars come with sophisticated remote key fobs these days which are much more convenient to use than a key – when they work that is. But when things go wrong, not only is it inconvenient, but it can cause your stress levels to go through the roof.
But don’t worry, sometimes fixing a remote is as easy as changing the battery. And even if it turns out to be something more serious.
So let’s look at the 5 most common reasons why car remotes fail and what you can do about it.
1. No power
Most remotes are powered by lithium batteries which last a long time. But at some point, the battery is going to need replacing. So if your remote becomes unresponsive, the battery is the first thing to check.
2. Needs reprogramming
To work properly, your remote needs to be paired with the receiver on the vehicle. If this becomes corrupted, the key fob will fail to operate as normal. This usually happens because of low batteries, but shock can also cause the fob to lose its pairing.
Most remotes can be reset, so check your car’s user manual for the resetting sequence. If resetting fails to solve the problem, the fob will need to be reprogrammed. This will need to be done by an automotive locksmith or main dealer.
3. Damaged transmitter or receiver
As mentioned above, your remote works by exchanging signals with a paired receiver. So if either the transmitter or receiver are damaged, your remote won’t be able to pair. This usually happens after some form of trauma such as shock or water exposure.
This can be a difficult problem to diagnose, however, since the symptoms are similar to a loss of pairing (see above). Try resetting the remote – if this fails to solve the issue, contact your local automotive locksmith.
4. Damaged components
Most remotes are designed to be shockproof, but in extreme circumstances, the components inside may be damaged. So if your remote stops working after some form of trauma, the chances are that the internal components are damaged.
In this case, it is usually more cost-effective to purchase a replacement remote from your automotive locksmith or main dealer. The replacement remote will then need to be paired with the transmitter on the vehicle.
5. Intermittent fault
Sometimes your remote only works intermittently. This is usually a sign the battery is running low and needs to be replaced, so start by replacing the battery. It is always easier to do this while the remote is still working.
If this doesn’t solve the problem, it may be due to interference with another vehicle or a faulty transmitter. Either way, you will need to contact your local automotive locksmith who should be able to diagnose and fix the problem quickly.