How to fix a key fob

Unless you own a cable car that ’ randomness previous enough to vote, you ’ ve got a keyless entry fob. These remotes, even the proximity-style and push-button beginning flim-flam, all use batteries that occasionally require substitute. It ’ s the most coarse reason for fob failure. While the button contacts in virtually any flim-flam can wear out, the fobs used by many GM models besides have a park inner bankruptcy that can render one push button or the stallion distant non-functional. It ’ s a pretty easy repair. There are a few things that are known to go ill-timed with these remotes — however it must be said that they tend not to fail outright without experiencing some kind of trauma.

Reading: How to fix a key fob

Getting in sync The contacts inside the buttons do wear out — obvious if wiggling or squeezing the buttons sometimes make it work. If the remote control has been inoperative for a long meter ( i.e. dead battery ), you may need to resync it by holding the “ Lock ” and “ Unlock ” buttons simultaneously for several seconds. The most common failure is the one we ’ ra going to fix. Split it up There are several ways to access the battery in flim-flam and remotes. Some use one or more small screws, some have a battery door, others require partial derivative dismantling. There ’ s normally a slot desirable for a coin, screwdriver, or even kitchen knife to be twisted to separate the halves. If there ’ s no slot, carefully use an allow instrument to wedge them aside . Look for a slot to carefully pry the fob apart. The Lear-made fobs, used by a vast number of GM models, split in half. Open it over a proper knead surface like a table or workbench, as there may be a little loosen separate inside that we ’ ra going to need in a moment. Bridge the gap With the fob cleave open, we can see the lap board and battery. If you look close near the center of the photograph, you can see that the metallic element clip that holds the battery is not sitting where it is supposed to . There is a bare solder spot and two small slots exposed on the board itself. This separation is the common failure. The metallic tab key not merely holds the battery in place, it is besides the positive conductor for the outside. Where the two small tabs go through the circuit board, they connect to the board ’ randomness wiring. If just one breaks off, it may only affect one button.

Erase the problem With the snip removed from the distant, it ’ second easier to see the little metal fingers on it that protrude through the circuit board. These tabs are besides under bounce coerce when the battery is installed, as the cardinal “ feel ” presses the battery down to hold it in place and create electric reach on both the top and bottom . The grid visible on the board is the minus contact. It touches the cardinal part of the bottom of the mint cell. You can use a pencil eraser to clean both this and the similar-looking clitoris contacts on the display panel ’ south revoke side. Heat it up When bonding, there are a few points to keep in mind. First, electronics don ’ triiodothyronine like excessive estrus, so practice circumspection with the iron. Heat the tab and melt the solder on it, not the iron. see that the yellow journalism is hot adequate that the solder flows into the holes and the depression on the board. besides, don ’ thyroxine use besides much solder, and be sure to use solder intended for electronics, not plumbing. I prefer a 1 millimeter diameter resin kernel. The clip will almost always simply sit back in place, with the tabs conveniently holding it in position while you work. Ready to go This is not the prettiest repair I ’ ve ever done – don ’ t take photos while soldering. The fob had been fixed, however, and should remain then. Full function was restored, and the owner was very please not to have to choose between the monetary value of replacement and reprogramming or losing her keyless introduction sport . The remote shown is an older style, widely used throughout GM's product range from the mid-90s. There is a newer, slightly less rounded fob that replaced it in the mid-2000s, which fails and is repaired the same way. Follow Toronto Star Wheels on Facebook Feedback: [email protected]