What a fob does
The buttons on your fob talk to a receiver in the car. They lock and unlock the doors, open the trunk and, on many cars, start it. A new or replacement fob doesn’t work until it has been paired to your car. That pairing is the programming.
Fobs come in a few kinds: a loose remote (a remote that isn’t attached to the key), a remote-head key, and a smart fob, also known as a proximity key, for a push-to-start car. Tell us what yours looks like when you call.
If the fob is also the key that starts the car, see transponder chip keys or push-to-start smart keys.
When you need one
- The fob stopped working and a new battery didn’t bring it back
- You lost a fob or remote
- The case cracked or the buttons wore out
- Some buttons work and others don’t
- You want an extra remote paired to the car
Tell us the year, make and model when you call, and what the fob does or doesn’t do. We quote the job on the phone before we dispatch. If the job turns out different from what we were told, we tell you and give you a revised price before any work starts.
How it works with mobile service
Same service call as any other job. Your car stays where it is.
- 1
You call
Give us the year, make and model, and what the fob does or doesn't do. You get a quote on the phone before we dispatch.
- 2
We come to you
We come to the car with a fob that fits it, wherever it's parked in the Santa Clarita Valley.
- 3
Paired and tested
We pair the fob to your car and test every button, so lock, unlock and the rest work the way they did.
Questions
My fob stopped working. Do I need a new one?
Try a fresh battery first. If the buttons still do nothing, the fob may need to be paired again, or replaced. Call and describe what it does, and we'll tell you which.
Can you replace a lost fob?
Yes. Lost and broken fobs are part of this service. If every key is gone, that's a lost car key replacement job, and we can do it in the same visit.
Do I have to go to the dealer?
No. We program the fob at your car. The dealer typically has to order the fob by VIN, and dealers supply only original-equipment (OEM) keys and fobs, which can be expensive. We can also offer high-quality universal fobs as an alternative, which can save you money.