📡 Remote stopped working 🔋 New battery, still won't work 🚗 Central locking not responding 💧 Fob dropped in water

Key Fob Repair & Replacement Diagnosed, Repaired or Replaced At Your Location

Remote key fob stopped working? Changed the battery and it still doesn't lock or unlock? Most fob problems don't need a new fob — a re-synchronisation, circuit board repair or simple re-pairing procedure resolves the majority of cases on-site. DB Car Keys diagnoses, repairs and replaces remote key fobs across Devon, Dorset & Somerset at your location, using the same equipment as main dealers.

★★★★★ 66 Google Reviews ✓ All Fob Types Covered ✓ Diagnose Before Replacing ✓ Renault Key Cards Stocked ✓ 24/7 Service

Call: 07830249408 WhatsApp

Diagnose First

Repair or Replace — We Advise

All Fob Types

Flip, Smart, Card, Remote

3 Counties

At Your Location

66 Google Reviews

★★★★★ 5-Star Rated

Same-Day Service

Most Fobs Fixed in 30 Mins

Why Is My Key Fob Not Working? The Four Most Common Causes

Before assuming you need a new fob, it's worth understanding what's actually wrong — because the majority of fob failures are not hardware failures. They're battery issues, synchronisation loss or water damage to the circuit board — all of which are repairable or resolvable without buying a new fob from a dealer. We diagnose the exact cause before recommending anything.

🔋

Dead or Weak Battery

By far the most common cause. The fob button may still light up or click but the signal is too weak to reach the car receiver. A fresh battery — fitted correctly — often resolves it immediately.

Fix: Battery replacement — 2 minutes on-site

📡

Lost Synchronisation

Fobs can lose their paired frequency with the car's receiver — sometimes after a new battery is fitted, after another fob was programmed, or simply through electronic drift. The fob is physically fine but out of sync.

Fix: Re-synchronisation via OBD — 20–30 minutes on-site

💧

Water ingress from rain, a splashed drink or a beach visit corrodes the internal circuit board. Some components fail immediately; others fail gradually. Often diagnosed by the fob working intermittently or only at very close range.

Water or Impact Damage

Fix: Circuit assessment — repair or replacement fob sourced and programmed

📻

Signal Interference

Temporary RF interference from nearby electronics, car park barriers or other key fobs can block the signal. If the fob works fine the next day or in a different location, interference was the cause — no action needed.

Fix: Usually resolves itself — call us if it persists

📍 Real Callout — Weymouth Beach Car Park, Dorset

"Summer beach callouts for fob failures are a regular part of our work along the Dorset coast. A family at Weymouth beach car park — fob dropped in the sea, dried out, but the central locking no longer responds. Salt water is particularly corrosive to the small surface-mount components on fob circuit boards. In this case the board was unrecoverable, but we had a compatible replacement fob in stock, programmed it to the car on the spot, and the family were back on the road within 45 minutes."

📍 Real Callout — Glastonbury Area, Somerset

"A Land Rover Discovery owner near Glastonbury contacted us when his smart proximity key stopped being detected by the car. The door wouldn't unlock when he approached, and the push-button start wouldn't respond. This turned out to be synchronisation loss — possibly triggered by RF interference at a nearby agricultural facility. A re-synchronisation via our AUTEL took 25 minutes. The fob itself was completely undamaged."

📍 Real Callout — Yeovil, Somerset

"Renault key card replacements are among the most common fob callouts we attend across Somerset and West Dorset. Renault's credit-card-style key is elegant but fragile — a slight bend, a cracked corner or sitting in a back pocket can break the internal circuit. An owner near Yeovil had cracked her Renault Megane card. We carry Renault card blanks, programmed a replacement to her car on her driveway in under 30 minutes."

⏱ When does a key fob need attention?

Central locking stopped working

New battery fitted — still doesn't work

Fob works only at very close range

Fob dropped in water or sea

One button works, others don't

Just bought car — fob doesn't work

Renault key card cracked or bent

Smart key not detected at door

Key Fob Services We Provide

From a simple battery to a full replacement fob — diagnosed and resolved on-site

Key Fob Battery Replacement

The right battery type fitted correctly — with the fob fully tested before we leave. Not all fob batteries are the same: CR2032, CR2025, CR1620 and others are used across different makes and models. Using the wrong battery, or fitting it with the polarity reversed, can damage the internal components. We carry a full range of fob batteries.

Takes: 5–10 minutes · Covers all makes and fob types

Key Fob Reprogramming

If the fob has lost its synchronisation with your car's receiver — a common occurrence after fitting a new battery, after another key was programmed, or through electronic drift — we re-pair it via OBD. In most cases the existing fob is retained and re-synchronised. No new fob is needed, and the cost is a fraction of a full replacement.

Takes: 20–30 minutes on-site · No new parts in most cases

Replacement Fob Supply & Programming

When the fob is beyond repair — physically damaged, water-corroded circuit, broken housing — we supply a compatible replacement blank and program it to your vehicle on-site. We carry stock for the most common makes including Renault key cards. For less common fobs we source quickly and attend as a follow-up visit.

Takes: 30–45 minutes once fob is sourced · All makes covered

Flip Key Fob Repair

Flip keys combine a folding blade with a remote fob in a single housing. When the remote element fails, the blade still opens the car manually — but central locking no longer works. We assess whether the fob element needs reprogramming, a replacement housing, or a full new flip key cut and programmed. Very common on VW, Audi, Peugeot and Citroën models.

Common on: VW Golf/Polo, Audi A3/A4, Peugeot 207/208, Citroën C3/C4, Seat Ibiza

📞 Call Now: 07830249408

We diagnose by phone where possible — saving you time before we even arrive

Key Fob Types We Work With

Every type of remote key currently in use on UK roads

Car key fobs and remote keys programmed by DB Car Keys across Devon Dorset Somerset

Most Common

Remote Fob + Separate Blade

A standalone fob for central locking with a separate mechanical blade key. The two elements work independently — the blade opens the door manually, the fob controls locking remotely. When the fob loses sync, the blade still works.

Common on: Ford Fiesta/Focus (older), Vauxhall Corsa/Astra (pre-2010), older Toyota and Honda models

Flip key fob repair and programming by DB Car Keys Devon

Very Common

Remote Flip Key

The blade folds neatly into the fob body. Both elements are integrated — the remote unlocks the car and the blade (when flipped out) operates the ignition and door lock. A damaged flip key housing can often be replaced without re-programming if the internal electronics are intact.

Common on: VW Golf/Polo, Audi A3/A4, Seat, Skoda, Peugeot 207/208/308, Citroën C3/C4

Smart key and proximity fob programming by DB Car Keys South West

Premium Vehicles

Smart Key / Proximity Fob

Keyless entry and push-button start systems. The car detects the fob in your pocket — the door unlocks on touch and the engine starts with a button. When these lose sync, the car behaves as if there's no key present. Re-synchronisation via OBD resolves most cases without a new fob.

Common on: BMW, Audi A4/Q5, Land Rover, Mercedes C/E-Class, VW (post-2015), Jaguar, Volvo

Renault key card replacement and programming by DB Car Keys Devon Dorset Somerset

Renault Specific

Key Card (Renault System)

Renault's credit-card-sized key is distinctive and practical — but notoriously fragile. A slight bend, a cracked corner or a back-pocket carry can split the internal circuit. We carry Renault card blanks in stock for the most common models and program them on-site. Very common callout along the Somerset and Dorset borders.

Common on: Renault Megane, Laguna, Vel Satis, Espace, Scenic — also Nissan Micra (some models)

Most Common Vehicles for Key Fob Callouts

The makes and models we attend most frequently across Devon, Dorset and Somerset

🚗 Most Frequent Fob Callouts

Ford Fiesta / Focus / Ka Vauxhall Corsa / Astra VW Golf / Polo (flip fob) Renault Megane / Clio (card) BMW 1 / 3 Series (smart key) Peugeot 207 / 208 (flip) Citroën C3 / C4 (flip) Land Rover (smart key) Hyundai / Kia Honda Jazz / HR-V

Renault key card callouts are particularly common in Yeovil, Sherborne and along the Somerset/Dorset border where older Meganes and Lagunas are widespread on rural roads.

🌊 Coastal & Tourist Fob Failures

Any make — wet fob Hire cars — any brand Ford (most common UK car) VW / Audi flip key corrosion Land Rover smart key BMW comfort access

Salt air along the Dorset and Devon coasts — Lyme Regis, West Bay, Charmouth, Exmouth, Sidmouth — accelerates circuit board corrosion inside fobs. Summer beach car park callouts are particularly common from June to September.

Recent Key Fob Callouts

Recent fob repair and replacement jobs completed across Devon, Dorset & Somerset

Renault Megane key card — cracked, replacement programmed on-site

📍 Yeovil, Somerset 25 mins

Land Rover Discovery — smart key re-synchronised, no new fob needed

📍 Glastonbury area, Somerset 25 mins

VW Golf flip key — remote element re-paired, blade cut

📍 Torquay, Devon 30 mins

Ford Fiesta fob — lost sync after battery replacement, re-programmed

📍 Barnstaple, Devon 20 mins

BMW 3 Series comfort key — sea water damage, replacement sourced & coded

📍 Weymouth Beach, Dorset 45 mins

Vauxhall Astra fob — battery replaced incorrectly, re-seated and reprogrammed

📍 Chard, Somerset 15 mins

Updated regularly · Call 07830249408 to describe your fob issue — we often diagnose by phone

Dean — DB Car Keys

Mobile Auto Locksmith · Honiton, Devon · 15+ Years Experience

✓ All Fob Types & Makes ✓ AUTEL Certified ✓ Xhorse Trained ✓ Renault Cards Stocked ✓ Fully Insured ✓ DBS Checked

“Dean was absolutely brilliant. My key fob stopped working while on holiday in Lyme Regis. He arrived within 30 minutes, diagnosed the issue on the spot and had it sorted before we even finished our ice cream. Couldn't recommend more highly.”— CK Radue, Google Review ★★★★★

“Friendly, helpful and sorted out my issue within minutes. Dean was the only one who actually seemed bothered to help me.”— Ryan Higgins, Google Review ★★★★★

What Our Customers Say

Verified reviews from drivers across Devon, Dorset & Somerset

Makes We Repair & Program Key Fobs For

Remote fob repair, reprogramming and replacement for all major vehicle makes

FordAll fob types VauxhallAll models PeugeotFlip keys CitroënFlip keys FiatAll models HyundaiAll models KiaAll models HondaAll models

BMWSmart key

AudiFlip & smart

VolkswagenFlip key

MercedesSmart key

ToyotaAll models

NissanAll models

Land RoverSmart key

RenaultKey cards

SeatFlip key

SkodaFlip key

MazdaAll models

VolvoAll models

Call 07830249408 with your make and model — we confirm what we can do before travelling.

Key Fob Repair Areas We Cover

Mobile key fob repair and replacement at your location across all three counties

Devon

EX, PL, TQ postcodes — including coastal towns with higher fob corrosion risk

Exeter Plymouth Torquay Exmouth Newton Abbot Barnstaple Honiton Sidmouth All Devon →

Dorset

DT postcodes — Jurassic Coast beach callouts highest in summer months

Bridport Dorchester Weymouth Lyme Regis Charmouth West Bay Portland All Dorset →

Somerset

TA & BA postcodes — Renault key card callouts common in Yeovil and Sherborne

Taunton Yeovil Bridgwater Chard Ilminster Wells Sherborne All Somerset →

Call 07830249408 · EX · PL · TQ · DT · TA · BA postcodes all covered

Key Fob Repair — FAQs

Common questions about remote key fob repair and replacement

Several possibilities: the new battery may be the wrong type, fitted with incorrect polarity, or have a poor contact. Alternatively, fitting a new battery on some vehicle makes causes the fob to lose its synchronisation with the receiver — the fob is working but is no longer paired. Finally, the fob circuit board may have been damaged before the battery was changed. We diagnose the exact cause on-site — call 07830249408.

In most cases we can re-synchronise or re-pair your existing fob — no new parts needed. A replacement fob is only necessary when the existing one is physically damaged beyond repair (cracked housing, corroded circuit board, broken blade on a flip key). We always assess the existing fob first and advise you honestly whether repair or replacement is the right approach.

This almost always means the battery is very weak — enough power to transmit a signal at close range but not the full distance. A fresh battery usually resolves this completely. If a new battery doesn't fix it, the fob's transmitter circuit may have water damage or corrosion that's reducing output power. We assess and advise on-site.

Yes. We carry Renault card blanks in stock for the most common models — Megane, Clio, Laguna, Scenic and others. We program the replacement card to your vehicle on-site using our AUTEL diagnostic equipment. Most Renault card replacements are completed in under 30 minutes. Call 07830249408 with your model and year to confirm we have your card in stock.

A quick test: try locking and unlocking using the key from the inside of the car (the door lock button or switch, if your car has one). If that works, the car's locking mechanism is fine and the issue is with the fob or receiver. If that doesn't work either, the problem may be with the car's central locking system rather than the fob. We can diagnose both. Call 07830249408 and we'll guide you through a quick phone test first.

Sometimes. Fresh water damage where the fob was dried quickly has a reasonable chance of being repaired — the circuit board may be undamaged. Salt water (beach, sea) is far more damaging and often corrodes the circuit board irreparably. We assess the board condition on-site and advise honestly. If a replacement is needed, we source and program a compatible fob. For beach callouts across the Dorset and Devon coast, we're often on-site within 30–45 minutes.

Yes — for most makes we can source and program a replacement fob without the original present. We use your vehicle's VIN and our AUTEL diagnostic equipment to program the new fob to your car's receiver. Your other existing keys and fobs are not affected. Call 07830249408 with your registration for an instant confirmation and quote.