There’s nothing like that moment when you hit the button on your European car’s key fob and nothing happens at all. When your key fob suddenly doesn’t work, it might take you a minute or two to find a way into your car. Jim’s German Auto has some tips for you that might help.
Try the Spare Key Fob
Most of the time, your German auto has a second key fob to use as a spare. If you’ve got access to it, you might want to give that spare a try to see if you can get it to work. This can help you to narrow down whether the problem is truly with the key fob itself or somewhere else entirely. That’s going to require a different solution.
Try Replacing the Battery in the Fob
If you’ve narrowed things down to the problem being in the fob itself, look for obvious signs of damage. A damaged fob may stop working suddenly, even if it kept working for a long time after the initial damage. The other solution might be swapping out the small battery inside the fob itself. That can sometimes be an easier answer than you might expect.
See if There’s a Key Option
You might wonder why it took so long to get to the key, right? The thing is, not every car comes with an actual key these days. Smart fobs and keyless ignition systems mean that there’s no key necessary. Well, except when the fob doesn’t work anymore for some reason. That’s why some manufacturers include a hidden key in the fob. If you’re not sure, check your car’s owner’s manual to find out what your options might be.
Determine if the Problem Isn’t Actually with the Fob
In some cases, you might be troubleshooting the fob when that’s not where the problem lies at all. The receiver for your key fob is inside the car and it needs a power supply of its own, too. That’s usually your car’s battery, and if your car’s battery or electrical system is having trouble, that’s going to be tougher than it seems at first.
Need help figuring it all out? Jim’s German Auto in Corona, CA has seen it all and we can help. Give us a call today and we’ll help you to figure out what’s going on with your European car’s key fob and line up a solution that actually works for you.
