A fob that has stopped working is not always a fob that needs replacing. Before anything else we check the obvious things, because a dead battery and a fob that has lost its pairing look identical from the driver's seat and one of them costs three dollars to fix.
Typical range: $90–$450 CAD. Ranges are typical for the GTA and depend on the door, the hardware and the time of day. We confirm the price before dispatching.
What we check first
The battery, which is the cause far more often than anything else and is worth ruling out before spending money. The contacts inside the fob, which corrode and can be cleaned. Water damage, which is common and sometimes recoverable if the fob is dried properly and promptly. And whether the fob has simply lost its pairing, which is a reprogram rather than a replacement.
We tell you when the fix is a battery. It is a short conversation and it costs you almost nothing, and we would rather have that reputation than sell an unnecessary fob.
Programming fobs you bought yourself
Buying a fob online and having it programmed is legitimate and often cheaper, and we do it regularly. There are two things worth knowing before you order.
First, the fob must be the correct part for your exact year, make, model and market — FCC ID and part number matter, and a fob that looks identical may use a different frequency or protocol. Send us the numbers before you buy and we will confirm compatibility, which saves the common disappointment of a fob that cannot be programmed to anything.
Second, some vehicles only accept virgin fobs that have never been paired to another vehicle. Used fobs from a scrapyard or an online marketplace are frequently already locked to a previous VIN and cannot be reused. Buy new for those makes.
Proximity and push-to-start fobs
Smart keys are more involved than a conventional remote. Programming has to go through the vehicle's security system, and on many makes that means an access-controlled procedure with a timed security wait built in by the manufacturer.
Some vehicles also limit the total number of keys that can be registered, and on a proportion of makes adding a new key means erasing all existing keys and reprogramming every one you want to keep. Bring all your keys to the appointment — if one is at home, it will stop working.
Repairing rather than replacing
- Battery replacement, including the fiddly ones that need the case split
- Fob case and shell replacement where the electronics are sound but the housing has broken
- Snapped emergency blade replacement on smart keys
- Worn or unresponsive button pad replacement
- Contact cleaning and corrosion repair
- Water damage assessment, which is sometimes recoverable
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you program a key fob I bought online?
Yes, and it often saves money. Send us the FCC ID and part number before you order and we will confirm it is right for your exact vehicle — a fob that looks identical can use a different frequency and will not program. Also note that some makes only accept new, never-paired fobs, so a used one from a marketplace may be locked to a previous vehicle and unusable.
Why did my key fob suddenly stop working?
A dead battery, by a wide margin. Beyond that: corroded contacts, water damage, a broken button pad, or the fob losing its pairing. Check the battery first — it is the cheapest possibility and the most likely one. If a new battery does not fix it, the fob may need reprogramming rather than replacing, which is also cheaper than a new unit.
Do I need to bring all my keys to have a new one programmed?
Yes, bring every key you want to keep working. On a number of makes, adding a key requires erasing all stored keys and reprogramming each one. A key left at home will simply stop working, and getting it back means a second appointment and a second charge.
How much does key fob programming cost?
Programming alone, on a fob you supply, is at the low end. A new fob supplied and programmed depends heavily on the vehicle — a basic remote for a common model is modest, a proximity smart key for a recent luxury vehicle is substantially more because of the blank cost. Give us the year, make and model and we will quote accurately on the phone.
Key Fob Programming across the GTA
We provide key fob programming & replacement throughout the Greater Toronto Area. Pick your city for local detail, or call and we will tell you straight away whether you are in range.
Related services
Car Key Replacement
Keys cut and programmed on site for virtually every make on the road — mechanical, transponder, remote head, flip and proximity.
Transponder Keys
Chip keys cut and programmed to the vehicle immobiliser — the step that turns a cut key into one that actually starts the engine.
Smart Keys
Proximity smart keys for push-to-start vehicles — supplied, programmed and, where possible, repaired rather than replaced.
All Keys Lost
Every key gone and no original to copy — key originated from the vehicle itself, on site, without a tow.