Key Fob & Remote Programming

A fob that has stopped working is not always a fob that needs replacing, and we would rather tell you that on the phone than charge you to find out in person.

Check these before booking anything

• Battery — the commonest cause by a distance, and often a coin cell you can change yourself
• Lost synchronisation — some vehicles drop the pairing after a battery change or a flat car battery
• Water damage — fobs live on keyrings and go through weather they were never designed for
• Worn buttons — the contact pad wears through before the electronics fail
• The receiver, not the fob — if two fobs both stopped working, the problem is in the vehicle

If one fob works and the other does not, the fault is in the dead fob. If neither works, look at the vehicle first. That single distinction saves people a lot of money.

Adding a spare versus replacing a lost one

Adding a fob while an existing one still works is straightforward. Replacing a fob that has been lost is a different job, because on many vehicles the lost fob has to be removed from the immobiliser's memory so it can no longer start the car. If your keys were stolen rather than mislaid, that step is not optional — say so when you call.

Push-button start vehicles

Proximity fobs are convenient until they are not. Most vehicles have a backup: holding the fob against a specific point on the start button or steering column lets the car read it even with a dead battery. The location varies by manufacturer and it is worth knowing yours before you need it.

Can you program a fob I bought online?

Often yes, if it is the correct part for your vehicle and has not been locked to another car. Aftermarket quality varies considerably, so check with us before buying.

My fob stopped working after I changed the battery.

It has likely lost synchronisation with the vehicle. Some models resynchronise themselves after a cycle of the ignition; others need reprogramming. Either way it is usually a smaller job than a replacement.

If my keys were stolen, is a new fob enough?

No. The stolen fob should be erased from the vehicle's memory so it can no longer start the car. Tell us it was a theft rather than a loss and we will handle that as part of the work.