Troubleshooting Remote Key Won’t Unlock Car Door

A key fob is a nice convenience, but it’s frustrating when the remote key won’t unlock car door. A dead key fob means you’re locked out of the car, which is the last thing anyone would want when in a hurry.

A smart fob can stop working for several reasons and diagnosing them is quite simple. In most cases, it’s the battery that has gone bad, but there could be a couple of other problems too.

Troubleshooting of Remote Key Won’t Unlock Car Door

Before starting to diagnose the causes, you can use a backup key fob (if you have one) to see whether the problem is with the remote or the car door. 

If the backup remote can lock and unlock the door, you will know for sure that there’s something wrong with the main remote.

Here are the things that you can do to resolve the problem.

Swap the Battery

If the smart fob does not have any physical damage, the easiest solution to fix this issue is to change the battery. Open the battery cover and pry out the battery with something like a small screwdriver or a key. 

Take notes of the numbers on the battery and replace it with a similar one. If a dead battery is the source of trouble, the remote key should be working after the replacement.

Change Broken Internal Contacts

A key fob casing is mostly plastic, and it gets exposed to lots of abuse. The two most vulnerable components are the buttons and the battery terminal contacts. 

A visual inspection is enough to find out if the terminals are broken or loose. Soldering them back to their position is likely to solve the problem.

Buttons can also be soldered in place if they feel loose. But there is no way to fix when the buttons are snapped off or when rubber buttons don’t sit in their slots properly.

Unlock the Door Manually

If the problem occurs due to a dead battery but there is no shop around to buy a new one, hold the fob against the door’s handle and try to pull it. 

The battery may have a little juice left that can open the door when you keep the fob at a close distance.

SEE MORE

• Is It Possible to Drive Without a Key Fob?
• A Guide To Replacing Car Door Locks

Remote Unlocking of the Door

If the remote key won’t unlock car door even after battery swapping or fixing the battery contacts, try a distant unlocking service.

Most car brands offer a remote door unlock service for emergencies such as a broken smart fob and locking the keys inside the car. You will need to set these services up ahead of time. 

For example, the American-based car brands including Fiat, Chrysler, Jeep, and others use the Uconnect Access service for their vehicles.

 You have to be an Unconnect subscriber to get the Remote Vehicle Start facility. It also offers a few more services like calling roadside assistance and 9-1-1, vehicle finder, stolen vehicle assistance, and more.

Similarly, BMW, Chevrolet, Lexus, Mazda, Honda, Nissan, Jaguar, and plenty of other automakers offer this service for remote unlocking of the car door. 

If your car does not have any such option, which is highly unlikely, you can still call a roadside assistance service for help.

Get the Hidden Key

Vehicles have a physical key for locking and unlocking the door. If you close and open your car door with the smart fob, this key is likely to be hidden inside the fob. 

There should be a release button or catch in the remote, pressing which will pop out the spare key.

But some vehicles may not have a visible keyhole. Don’t worry. They have a keyhole concealed near the door’s handle. A trim piece is there with a small slot to insert the key. 

You may need to prise away the trim piece to access the hole. Be careful because doing so may chip off the paint or denting the trim piece.

When the physical key can lock or unlock the door, be sure that the mechanism of the locks is fine. There could be an electrical issue that prevents the fob from connecting to the door’s receiver sensor.

Reprogram the Smart Fob

These are mostly the reasons and troubleshooting options when a remote key won’t unlock car door. Sometimes, the remote still does not work after checking for all possible reasons. 

In that case, you may have to reprogram the remote so that it pairs up with the car’s receiver unit. However, this will require getting into the car and inserting the keys into the ignition.

Without kicking off the engine, turn the key to ‘run’ and ‘lock’ positions several times until you hear a chime, which means the reprogramming is successful.

FAQs on Remote Key Won’t Unlock Car Door Issue

1. What should I do if replacing the remote key battery doesn’t solve the problem?

If changing the battery doesn’t resolve the issue, it could be due to other factors like damaged key fob buttons or an issue with the car’s central locking system.

In this case, it’s advisable to seek professional assistance or consult your vehicle’s manual for troubleshooting steps.

2. Could electronic interference be preventing my remote key from working?

Yes, electronic interference from nearby devices or radio signals can disrupt the communication between the remote key and the car’s receiver.

Try unlocking the car from a different location or use the key fob at a different time to rule out interference.

3. What should I do if I have a spare key that works fine, but my primary remote key won’t unlock the door?

If your spare key works correctly but your primary remote key doesn’t, it’s possible that the primary key fob is damaged or malfunctioning. You may need to replace or repair the primary remote key.

4. Can I manually unlock the car door if the remote key isn’t working?

Yes, most vehicles have a manual keyhole on the driver’s or passenger’s side door that you can use to unlock the car manually. Refer to your car’s manual to locate the keyhole and learn how to use it.

5. What should I do if none of the remote keys work on my car’s doors?

If none of your remote keys work on the car’s doors, it could indicate a problem with the car’s central locking system or a malfunction in the receiver. 

Consult your vehicle’s manual for guidance and consider seeking assistance from a professional mechanic or dealership for a thorough diagnosis and repair.

6. Is there a way to reset or reprogram my remote key to work with the car again?

Some remote keys can be reprogrammed or reset to work with the car again. Refer to your car’s manual or contact a dealership or locksmith who specializes in automotive key fob programming for assistance with reprogramming.

7. Can extreme weather conditions affect the performance of remote keys?

Extreme weather conditions, such as extreme cold or heat, can affect the performance of remote keys. 

Batteries may drain faster in extreme cold, and electronic components can be sensitive to temperature extremes. Keeping your remote key in a moderate temperature environment may help.

8. When should I consider seeking professional help for a remote key issue?

If you’ve tried basic troubleshooting steps like replacing the battery and still can’t get your remote key to unlock the car door. 

If you suspect there’s an issue with the car’s central locking system, it’s best to seek professional help from a dealership or a qualified locksmith who specializes in automotive key systems.

Conclusion

In troubleshooting a remote key won’t unlock car door, several potential issues could be at play. These may include a dead key fob battery, a malfunctioning key fob, or problems with the car’s central locking system.

To resolve this issue, start by checking and replacing the key fob battery, ensuring it’s properly synced with the car. 

If the problem persists, consult the vehicle’s manual for specific troubleshooting steps or seek assistance from a professional locksmith or dealership for further diagnosis and repair.