If your Dodge RAM key fob is not opening your car as it should, you might be dealing with a damaged key fob that would have to be replaced.
But not so fast! There are actually a few fixes you can apply and get the key fob working again without having to spend extra on a replacement.
In this guide, we have covered the likely issues you would encounter when using a Dodge RAM key fob and the right fixes to apply that would get the key fob working as new.
Dodge Ram Key Fob Not Working: Causes
There are several causes of key fob problems but you’re most likely to encounter are listed here.
Damaged key fob remote transmitter or receiver
Key fobs are subjected to more physical abuse than even your mobile phone and while they’re built to be durable, they aren’t indestructible. There are chances that the terminal contacts have been shifted and the buttons have been moved or broken.
In some cases, it could be that the key fob had been damaged due to a fall or as a result of you accidentally sitting on it. Even if here are no physical signs of damage on the key fob, there could still be internal damage which will impair the key fob’s functionality.
Key Fob Not Programmed Properly
A key fob or car remote is a security tool that will unlock your car doors and as such, it needs to be programmed to work only on your car. This is done by pairing the key fob with the receiver unit in your car. With this step, anyone with the same key fob make and model won’t be able to unlock your car with theirs.
Sometimes the key fob could be programmed wrongly or it could just have to be reprogrammed to get it working again.
Dead Battery
Key fobs are simple devices that require a battery to work. Being a simple device, the fob doesn’t need much power to run which means the battery should last up to 1 year. If you’re experiencing issues with the key fob, it could be due to a dead battery.
Dodge Ram Key Fob Not Working: Fixes
Change the Battery
Before you get down to changing the key fob’s battery, you should first try another key fob. If the other key fob works, then you can simply swap the batteries.
If this works, then there is no other step to take than to get new batteries for the key fob.
If you don’t have a backup key fob, you can go ahead to replace the batteries, then test to see if it works.
Inspect and Repair the Key Fob
To confirm that the key fob is damaged, you would have to perform a visual inspection. You should start off by checking the exterior parts of the key fob for any signs of damage. If everything looks good, then you would have to pull the remote part and perform a thorough visual inspection.
Check the battery connector terminals if they are broken. They could also feel loose. If this is the case, then you can carefully solder them back in place to fix the problem with the key fob.
You should also check the buttons if they’re broken. Soldiering back the battery may as well fix the problem. However, if the button has been physically snapped off, then you would have to shop for a replacement.
Reprogram the Key Fob
If you’re having issues with your key fob, there are chances that it wasn’t programmed properly and would have to be reprogrammed.
This fix should come after checking the batteries but you might want to confirm some things before going ahead. You should check to ensure that the doors are not having any electrical or physical faults.
You can check for physical faults by using a physical key. If your physical key gets the door open easy, then you’ve ruled out a physical fault. To confirm that there are no electrical problems with the door locks, try using the car’s primary control system to open the doors. If it works, then you can go ahead to reprogram the key fob.
- Reprogramming the key fob is an easy process that won’t take a while
- Get into the driver’s seat and lock the door.
- Put your key in the ignition and have it turned on.
- Press the UNLOCK button and hold it for 4 to 10 seconds. Within that timeframe, press the PANIC button for just 1 second.
- Release both buttons and you should hear a chime to confirm that the step was a success.
- Hold down both the UNLOCK and LOCK buttons, then release down at both times. Click the UNLOCK button again and release it. You will hear another chime to confirm that the remote has been programmed.
Getting the Remote Replaced
The steps above will only work if the key fob has not been badly damaged or just requires a minor fix. In some cases, the key fob might have been damaged due to a fall. In other cases, the key fob might have just failed and would have to be replaced.
If you notice that the buttons or the exterior of the key fob is damaged, it might be best to have it replaced than to fix it. You might want to try fixing it by opening up the key fob but getting it replaced might be the best idea so you won’t have to deal with the problem in the future.
Final Thoughts
Dodge Ram Key fob problems are bound to happen so it would be a wise decision to have a backup option at the ready. In some cases, you might experience issues with the backup option too even after the original remote has failed. If you stored the backup key fob the right way, it might be a simple problem that requires changing the battery or programming it properly.
With that said, most key fob issues always have to do with dead batteries or the key fob being totally damaged. You would less likely need to reprogram it.
