Key Fob Programming in Philadelphia, PA

Philadelphia weather and your fob

A remote that stops working is not always a programming problem. NOAA's Pennsylvania summary flags extreme heat and humidity as a particular concern in Philadelphia, and both are hard on a fob left on a dashboard through a July heat wave: they can shorten coin-cell life and let moisture into the case. Winter works the other way: cold lowers a battery's output, so a fob with a tired cell may unlock the car in September and fail at the curb once temperatures drop.

Water is the other culprit, and NOAA notes that extreme precipitation events have become more frequent across the state. A fob that went through a flooded street, a downpour in an open bag or a washing machine may need drying, cleaning and a new battery before anyone concludes it has lost its programming. Try a fresh battery first; if the fob still does nothing, programming or a new fob is the next step.

Garage or street

Programming is usually done from the driver's seat with the doors able to open. On rowhouse blocks with lower-level garages, such as the Airlite rows of East Mount Airy, the car sits in a tight space. If yours lives in one, say whether there is room to open the driver's door and whether the garage door can stay up during the work. If the car is on the street, give the block and side so it can be found without guesswork.

What to gather first

• Every fob and key you still have for the car. Some vehicles drop any key that is not present while a new fob is programmed, so a spare left in a drawer can stop working.
• The VIN, from the registration or the windshield on the driver's side.
• The make, model and year, and whether the ignition is keyed or push-to-start.
• If you bought a fob yourself, the part number or FCC ID printed on it. Not every aftermarket fob can be programmed to every car.

If no working key remains, see car key replacement. Read more on key fob programming and on local conditions in Philadelphia.