Car Key Fob Replacement: Remotes, Buttons & Central Locking

You're standing in the car park pressing the button on your key. Nothing. You press it again. Harder, as if that helps. Still nothing.

Your car key fob has given up on life.

Before you start walking to a dealer for a quote that'll make you consider catching the bus permanently, know this: we replace and repair car key fobs on-site across Melbourne. A lot cheaper than the dealer. And with a 3-year warranty that actually means something.

Fob vs. Smart Key: What's the Difference?

People use "fob" and "smart key" interchangeably, but they're different things. Knowing which one you've got affects the fix and the cost.

A car key fob is a remote that has physical buttons for locking and unlocking, plus a traditional key blade that goes into the ignition. The remote part and the key part are usually one unit. Think of most cars from the early 2000s through to around 2015, the key that has the flip-out blade and a couple of buttons on it.

A smart key / proximity fob has no blade (or a hidden emergency one). The car detects it wirelessly and starts with a push button. If that's what you've got, check our proximity and smart key page.

This page is about the first type: the traditional remote fob with buttons and a key blade.

Common Car Key Fob Problems

Not every fob issue means you need a full replacement. Here's a quick diagnostic:

1. Buttons Don't Work

Likely cause: Dead battery. This is the number one reason fobs "stop working." It's also the cheapest fix: a CR2032 or CR2025 battery from any chemist. Takes 30 seconds to swap.

If the battery's fresh and buttons still don't work: The button membrane inside the fob is worn out. Years of pressing takes its toll. We can replace the internal contacts, or if the whole fob is knackered, replace the unit.

2. Intermittent Response

Likely cause: Low battery, corroded battery contacts, or a cracked circuit board. If the fob works from 30cm away but not from 5 metres, the battery is going. If it's random and unpredictable, the circuit board or antenna might be damaged.

3. Fob Works but Car Doesn't Respond

Likely cause: The car's receiver module might be the issue, not the fob. Or the fob may have lost its programming. This can happen if the battery dies completely and stays dead for a long time. Reprogramming usually fixes it.

4. Physical Damage

Cracked case, broken flip blade, buttons worn smooth, water damage. If the electronics still function, we can sometimes transplant the guts into a new shell. If the electronics are cooked, full replacement.

5. Lost Fob

Different ball game entirely. You need a new key and fob programmed from scratch. We can do that too.

Car Remote Key Replacement Cost: What to Actually Expect

This is what you came here for. Real numbers, not "call for a quote" runarounds.

The cost of a car key fob replacement depends on three things: your car's make and model, the type of fob, and whether we're adding a spare to a working key or replacing a lost one entirely.

Ballpark pricing:

These are indicative. Actual price depends on the specific vehicle. We'll give you an exact quote on the phone before we come out. No surprises on the day.

Vs. the dealer? Expect to save 40 to 60 percent on the same job. The dealer charges a premium because they can. Most people don't know they have a choice.

How Fob Replacement Works

If you need a full fob replacement (not just a battery or shell swap), here's the process:

1. Call us with your car's make, model, and year. We tell you the price and book a time.
2. We come to you. Fully mobile service across Melbourne.
3. Open the old fob (if you have it) to diagnose the issue. Sometimes the fix is simpler than expected, and we'll tell you that.
4. Cut the new key blade. Matched to your car's lock profile.
5. Program the new fob. We connect to the OBD port and register the new remote's frequency and transponder with the car's immobiliser and body control module.
6. Test. Lock, unlock, boot release, panic alarm, key-in-ignition start. All confirmed working.

Done. Usually under an hour.

The Case for Getting a Spare Fob

Your fob is going to die eventually. Buttons wear out. Batteries corrode. Shells crack. Electronics have a finite lifespan.

When it does die, having a spare means you switch to the backup and get the dead one replaced at your convenience. No emergency. No stress. No premium pricing.

Without a spare, your fob dying is an immediate problem. You can't lock the car with the remote, which means fumbling with the physical lock (if your car even has an external keyhole anymore). And if the transponder chip fails alongside the remote, you can't start the car at all.

Getting a spare fob made while your current one works is cheaper, faster, and smarter. Every time.

What About Aftermarket Fobs?

You can buy generic replacement fob shells online for $15-30. They'll physically fit. But there are catches:

• Button feel is poor. Cheap rubber membranes wear out fast.
• Fit is loose. The blade wobbles, the case creaks, buttons stick.
• No warranty. If it breaks in three months, you're buying another one.
• Electronics compatibility varies. Some aftermarket shells house the transponder chip differently, causing intermittent issues.

We supply quality fob replacements that we know work reliably with the vehicle. And we back them with a 3-year warranty on parts and labour. The small upfront saving on a $15 eBay shell isn't worth the headache when it fails six months later.

Brands We Cover

We replace and program fobs for most makes and models up to 2022:

• Japanese: Toyota, Mazda, Honda, Nissan, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Suzuki
• Korean: Hyundai, Kia, SsangYong
• European: BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, VW, Skoda, Peugeot, Land Rover, Range Rover
• Other: Ford, Holden, LDV, Jeep

For European and prestige brands, fob replacement and programming is one of the services where we save you the most compared to dealer pricing.

3-Year Warranty

We put a 3-year warranty on parts and labour on every fob we supply and program. Three years. If the remote develops a fault, the transponder stops communicating, or the buttons fail, we come back and sort it. That's the commitment.

Buzz has been doing this for 22 years. Over 30,000 keys cut and programmed. The warranty isn't a marketing gimmick. It's confidence built on two decades of knowing exactly which parts last and which programming methods hold up.

Fob playing up? Call Buzz on 0456 013 246 or contact us. We'll diagnose it, quote it, and fix it. At your location, with a 3-year warranty.