Don't get ripped off due to broken car remote keys
Discussion
Basically, we bought a Smart car this week for the smaller journeys we make all the time and it was very cheap, with no warranty offered or implied. I'm talking a 2009 Phase 2 Smart with the bigger 1 litre engine and 12 months' MOT for £1,500. Just 43,000 miles from new and FSH. A steal.
Anyway the remote will open the doors but not lock them. Tried a dealer. Can't repair it, £260 for a new one, coded to my car. Auto Electrician. Nope, they checked it but the main board is broken so they can't sort it. Car locksmith next. Nope, he won't touch remotes as repairs rarely last and it means people are back hassling him forever more, so not cost effective.
We were about to bite the bullet for a new key and i tried a mobile 'phone repairer as a last gasp.
15 minutes later, the thing was working, the remote back on the keyring and all good to go.
FIVE pounds he charged me.
Not only did that restore my faith in industry a few % but it's worth knowing, for others in my situation always told that we need a new remote at huge cost.
Anyway the remote will open the doors but not lock them. Tried a dealer. Can't repair it, £260 for a new one, coded to my car. Auto Electrician. Nope, they checked it but the main board is broken so they can't sort it. Car locksmith next. Nope, he won't touch remotes as repairs rarely last and it means people are back hassling him forever more, so not cost effective.
We were about to bite the bullet for a new key and i tried a mobile 'phone repairer as a last gasp.
15 minutes later, the thing was working, the remote back on the keyring and all good to go.
FIVE pounds he charged me.
Not only did that restore my faith in industry a few % but it's worth knowing, for others in my situation always told that we need a new remote at huge cost.
Countdown said:
Sounds interesting.
Would this person be able to provide new keys or does he just fix faulty ones?
He is a one man band who does things like intricate welding to broken terminals like with my remote. Also he was genuinely keen to get stuck in and help. I had a £20 note ready and was stunned when he said a fiver.Would this person be able to provide new keys or does he just fix faulty ones?
I'm guessing he just soldering something back into place? I had a Mazda 5 that randomly developed a immobiliser fault overnight. I could hear something rattling in the key, so took it apart and some black thing had come loose and I could see where it should have been stuck. So I super glue'd it back in the same place and the car was fine after that.
Nice one OP - this is a great thing to share we all love to have a moan when something is s**t but nice to hear a story with loads of positive outcomes.
I had an Alfa key fob which used to stop unlocking the car or popping the boot and it was the little switches breaking off inside - bit of solder and a steady hand and they were back in action. Like you say - most dealers etc turn you away in terms of repair - everything has to be replaced with a new one. I think the average person would be amazed at how cheap and easy repairs can often be with a little bit of curiosity.
I had an Alfa key fob which used to stop unlocking the car or popping the boot and it was the little switches breaking off inside - bit of solder and a steady hand and they were back in action. Like you say - most dealers etc turn you away in terms of repair - everything has to be replaced with a new one. I think the average person would be amazed at how cheap and easy repairs can often be with a little bit of curiosity.
I use a place in Leicester called https://www.remotefobcentre.com/
They also cut the blade to fit, so not bad for around 25 notes.
They also cut the blade to fit, so not bad for around 25 notes.
vikingaero said:
I use a place in Leicester called https://www.remotefobcentre.com/
They also cut the blade to fit, so not bad for around 25 notes.
Just to update this old thread, the rubber buttons on my father-in-law’s remote fob had disintegrated. Posted it to the remote fob centre on Monday and received it back today (Weds). They charged £40 plus postage whereas the Vauxhall dealer wanted £250!They also cut the blade to fit, so not bad for around 25 notes.
MrHappy said:
vikingaero said:
I use a place in Leicester called https://www.remotefobcentre.com/
They also cut the blade to fit, so not bad for around 25 notes.
Just to update this old thread, the rubber buttons on my father-in-law’s remote fob had disintegrated. Posted it to the remote fob centre on Monday and received it back today (Weds). They charged £40 plus postage whereas the Vauxhall dealer wanted £250!They also cut the blade to fit, so not bad for around 25 notes.
Glad it worked out.
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