A car key remote is an electronic device that is used to enable access to a car, as well as controlling some of the cars features without needing a physical car key. When a car key remote stops working, this causes issues and can prevent you from being able to use your car, and you may need the remote to be either repaired or replaced. But why has your car key remote stopped working? In this Keytek® Auto Locksmiths blog, we will help you to figure out what exactly has stopped your car key remote from working.
How Does a Car Key Remote Work?
Before we get into the list of reasons of why your car key remote might not be working, we’ll go through how the car key remote actually operates. The fob inside of the remote contains a chip that picks up radio signals coming from your vehicle, which the fob then relays its code to the vehicle. The car will then recognise the code that has come from the fob and will proceed to lock or unlock the doors of the car
Why Has My Car Key Remote Stopped Working?
The Battery Has Died
The most common issue for a car key remote to stop working is that the battery has died. Car key remotes are usually powered by lithium batteries as they are known for lasting for a long period of time. However, like all batteries, they will eventually need replacing. Luckily, car key remote batteries can be changed in just a few minutes by an Auto Locksmith, making it a quick and easy job to get you back on the road in no time!
The Transmitter Is Damaged
As your car key remote needs to be paired with the transmitter on the vehicle in order for it to work, a damaged transmitter means that the car key remote won’t be able to pair with the vehicle. Transmitters can become damaged due to a form of trauma, such as water exposure or shock. To try and fix the damaged transmitter, you should try and reset the car key remote or contact your local Auto Locksmith to help solve the issue.
The Car Key Remote Needs Reprogramming
Because your car key remote has to be paired with the transmitter on the vehicle, the car key remote will fail to work if the pairing becomes corrupted, which can happen due to low batteries, or shock causing the pairing to be lost.
Internal Components Damaged
Another reason for your car key remote not working could be that the internal components of the remote are damaged, which can happen after some form of trauma. In a situation like this, where the internal components of the car key remote are damaged, then the best option to undertake is getting a replacement car key remote from an Auto Locksmith, or car dealership.