What To Do If Your Car Fob Dies?

Losing access to your car can be extremely frustrating and disruptive.

For many of us, our car is imperative for getting to work, picking up the kids from school and going about our daily lives. With this in mind, a broken car key fob can spell disaster.

If your car fob has died and you need quick access to your vehicle, there are a few things you can do. In this article, we’ll take a look at what to do if your car fob has died — but remember: professional repairs are always the best choice.

Signs of a dead car FOB battery

If you have a broken car key fob, there are a number of signs you’ll likely notice.

These include:

You can’t open your car

The most obvious sign to indicate that the car key battery is broken is if you can’t open your car door. If you’re pressing the button but the door is still not opening, then the most likely problem is a dead fob.

Decreased range

Most modern car key fobs have great range and can be triggered from long distances. However, if you’ve started to notice that the fob needs to be ever closer to your vehicle, then it is a sign that the battery may be dying.

Button sensitivity

If the button on your fob has become less sensitive and needs you to push much harder than usual to get it to work, then it might be a sign that the battery is waning. However, it might also mean that the fob is damaged, so you should check with a professional when you get the chance.

Some of these signs might be noticeable before the battery finally dies, so if you notice any of them, or if physical damage has occurred to the fob, you should seek a car key fob repair immediately.

DIY fix for a dead battery

If your fob has completely died and you need your vehicle urgently, there is a DIY fix you can try:

Identify the battery needed – First, you need to source the battery. Your vehicle manual should tell you which one you need and the fob itself may also tell you. You can buy new batteries online, in supermarkets or from automotive repair shops.

Open the key fob – If it’s possible to do so carefully and without damaging the fob, try and open it.

Replace the battery – Swap out the dead battery for your new one.

Reassemble the fob – Screw the fob back together. Now, your fob should work again.

While this DIY process may seem simple, you might inadvertently damage the fob in the process so it should only be done as a last resort. Always seek professional help if your key fob dies.

When to seek professional help

As previously mentioned, seeking a professional car key fob repair or car fob replacement should always be your first priority if your fob has died.

This is especially the case if the key fob has become damaged, as DIY repairs may not be possible. In some instances, the circuitry may have become faulty and replacing the battery will not be enough to fix the problem. Only professional help will be able to fix these issues.

Car fob repairs

At Ken’s Autos, we’ve spent more than 45 years providing leading car key fob repairs to drivers across Nottingham, Mansfield and Derby, helping you get back behind the wheel in no time at all. No matter what kind of vehicle you drive or the type of fob you have, we can replace or repair it to minimise disruption. For more information, contact our expert team today.