Key fob not working, or need a new one programmed?
Most fobs that quit only need a new coin battery, so check that first. A new remote or push-to-start key is programmed at your car, and we text the all-in price before we drive out.
No surprises
Price first, by text, before we drive.
You never pay more unless you approve a new total by text. How it works.
We text or call you back with the all-in price, before anyone drives out.
- Mobile serviceAt your car, home or business.
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Is it just the fob battery?
Often, yes: a weak coin cell is the most common reason a fob stops working. These checks are free:
- Try your spare fob. If the spare works, the car is fine and the first fob is the problem.
- Watch the little light on the fob as you press a button, if it has one. No light or a faint flicker points to the battery.
- Notice the range. A fob that only works a step or two from the door is usually a dying cell.
- Open the case at the seam with a coin or a small flat screwdriver. The cell type is printed on it, often CR2032 or CR2025. Buy the exact same number.
- Dim dash lights and no response from any fob mean the car battery is low. That is a jump start, not a key job.
On a push-to-start car with a dead fob, many models still start if you hold the fob right against the start button, or set it in a marked spot in the console. Your owner's manual shows where. The blade hidden inside the fob opens the driver door.
What does key fob programming actually mean?
It means pairing each part of the fob with the car: the buttons, the immobilizer chip and, on smart keys, the proximity antenna.
One fob can hold up to three separate parts, and each one is set up on its own:
- Remote buttons for lock, unlock and trunk, paired to the car's body module.
- Immobilizer chip that lets the engine run.
- Proximity antenna on smart keys, so the car knows the fob is inside before you press start.
On some older cars, owners can add a remote on their own with a door and ignition sequence from the manual. Chips and smart keys almost always need a programming tool plugged into the port under the dash.
Factory (OEM) or aftermarket?
Both work. A factory fob matches the original exactly, and an aftermarket fob costs less and suits an older car or a spare that lives in a drawer.
| Factory fob | Aftermarket fob | |
|---|---|---|
| Fit and feel | Identical to the one the car came with | Close match; buttons and case can feel different |
| Range and battery life | As the maker designed | Usually fine; cheaper units can have shorter range |
| Price | Higher | Lower |
| Good choice for | A car you plan to keep for years | An older car, or a spare that lives in a drawer |
Where both exist for your car, we text both prices and you pick.
Can you replace a push-to-start key?
Yes, on most cars, at the car. It is the most involved fob job, because the new key needs its chip and its proximity antenna paired.
On many cars every remaining key is paired again in the same session. A spare, made while you still have one working smart key, costs much less than replacing the last one, which is priced as a lost-key job.
Locksmith or dealer for a key fob?
Both can program one. The dealer does it in its service bay, so the car has to get there; we bring factory or aftermarket fobs to the car.
Dealer pricing varies, so ask them for the fob, the programming fee and any tow as one all-in figure, then compare it with our text.
Bought a fob online?
It may work, but many fobs sold online are used, and plenty of used smart keys are locked to the first car they were paired with.
Before you buy, check that the FCC ID and part number printed on the back match your old fob. Then send us both numbers and we tell you if it can be programmed.
What sets the price of a fob?
The fob type (remote-head, flip or push-to-start), factory or aftermarket, and whether you still have one that works.
A second smart key on the same visit costs much less than the first. If you have no working key at all, the job is priced as all keys lost. We text one all-in total, trip included, before we come.
Questions people ask
My fob locks the doors but the car will not start. Why?
On a push-to-start car this often means a weak battery. The buttons still have enough power, but the start antenna cannot read the fob. Try holding it against the start button, then change the cell.
Will programming a new fob erase my old ones?
On many cars, programming clears every fob that is not present and re-adds the ones in hand. Bring every fob you still have so they all keep working.
Does a new battery mean the fob needs programming again?
Usually not. Most fobs keep their pairing when you swap the cell. A few remotes need a short resync, and the owner's manual shows the steps.
How much does it cost to get a key fob programmed?
It depends on the fob. A remote-head key is the simplest, a flip key a little more, and a push-to-start smart key the most involved. The fob itself is in the quote, and a second one on the same visit costs much less.
Is a locksmith cheaper than the dealer for a fob?
Often, once you count a tow or a separate trip, but not on every car. Ask the dealer for an all-in figure and compare it with the quote we text you.
Can you program a fob I bought online?
Sometimes. Many used fobs are locked to their first car. Send us the FCC ID and part number from the back before you buy, and we tell you if it can be paired.
Send us your details
Tell us what happened and we'll text or call you back with the all-in price. Got a photo of the lock, key or VIN sticker? Reply to our text with it.