Dependability is one of the most important considerations when it comes to choosing a vehicle. Whether you drive a car, truck, or SUV, there are countless components in any vehicle that function in unison to get you where you’re going. Though reliability is crucial, even the most dependable vehicle won’t do you much good if you can’t get into it in the first place.

Many cars today feature keyless entry. As you probably know, these systems an electronic key fob to access many features of the vehicle, especially locking and unlocking the car doors. As anyone who has carried and used one of these fobs for some time will also likely know, they tend to work less reliably as time goes on and sometimes cease functioning altogether.

Why does your car’s keyless entry system stop functioning correctly? The answer may not be as simple as you think. Here are five common issues with keyless entry systems to help you troubleshoot the problem.

Dead Batteries: Like any electronic device, your key fob needs a battery to produce the signal that locks and unlocks your car door. The most common culprit for a malfunctioning key fob is often a dead or weak battery. Check your car’s owner’s manual for instructions on changing the battery, as well as which type of battery is right for your particular fob. If swapping out the battery doesn’t fix the issue, you can be sure that there is another problem that needs to be addressed.

Defective/Worn Out Fob: If your car is several years old, the key fob has likely seen some serious wear and tear. Over thousands of button presses throughout its lifespan the “unlock” button on these devices can sometimes wear out and stop making proper contact with the internal mechanism that sends the signal to your car’s keyless entry system. Years of jangling around in your pocket or purse can also lead to serious wear and tear on your key fob. Thankfully, there is a simple way to determine if a worn-out fob is to blame for trouble with your keyless entry system. If you have a second fob that has seen less wear and tear, give it a try. If it performs better than its battle worn counterpart, it may be time to swap fobs.

Broken Locks: Though less common than issues with the fob itself, your car’s door locks can sometimes lead to problems with keyless entry. Like any mechanism in your car, the locks have many moving parts that can degrade with time or use. If you think your vehicle’s locks are not functioning as they should, a locksmith should be able to quickly diagnose the problem and provide repairs as needed.

Electrical Issues: Perhaps most serious of all, a problem with your car’s keyless entry could be a sign of a bigger problem with the vehicle’s electrical system. These problems could be the result of natural wear and tear, a manufacturing defect, or even poorly executed maintenance. If you are experiencing issues with other electrical components, such as interior/exterior lights, sound system, or horn, and electrical malfunction could be the root cause of your keyless entry issues. Contact a mechanic to get to the bottom of these potentially serious issues.

Residents of Dublin experiencing issues with car locks or locks of any type need look no further for assistance than Dublin Mobile Locksmith. As your local lock and key specialists, our locksmiths are here to help with any lock-related need, 24/7. Call us any time at (614) 591-4727.