Most everyone has come to depend on keyless entry car remotes. Gone is the struggle of trying to insert a key into an obscured lock while laden with packages or a baby. Gone is the ring of key scratches encircling the lock of the car door. Still, no thought is given to the lowly remote. That is, until the day it stops working. The car dealership will replace or repair your remote for no cost if your car is still under warranty. Often though, by replacing the battery, followed by a little reprogramming, these small contraptions can be revived at home.
Get in the driver's seat. Start the car, and go for a drive. There is no absolute time required, but 15-20 minutes should suffice.
Stop the car, get out, and attempt to lock and unlock the car with the remote. If it works, you have successfully reset the remote timer, and do not need to continue.
Press both the "open" and the "lock" button on the remote, at the same time, if the previous step failed. Keep the buttons held down for about one minute. If the car lights go on and off, you were successful in resetting the remote. (Some makes of cars may also beep the horn.)
Change the remote battery. Slide a dime into the groove between the two case halves, if present, and twist. Some remotes have a small screw, or sliding cover on the back, for easy battery access.
Insert the new battery while seated in the car, as the next step should be done soon after the new battery is in place. Turn the car on and off, eight times, in under 10 seconds. Leave the car on. Press any button on the remote, for a second, to synchronize the remote.
Turn off the car, and get out. Attempt to lock and unlock the car. If unsuccessful still, you will need to seek assistance from the dealer, as a new remote may be in order.
