How to Repair a Keyed Car
The cutting of your car keys can be a stressful experience. There are fortunately, simple tricks that can help you solve the issue and restore your vehicle's pristine appearance.
Make sure your keyboard is unplugged and grounded prior to working on it. This will reduce the chance of damaging your keyboard due to static electricity.
Assess the issue
It can be quite frustrating when a keyboard key stops working. However, it's not an indication of a major issue and can be solved with some basic troubleshooting and easy repairs. This guide will help you understand how to identify the issue, remove the keycap and clean it, then repair or replace the mechanism. When the key is functioning properly it will allow you to use the key without issues.
Before you begin, it is important to examine the key you are working with and note any problems. Does the key feel stuck in a press position, or does it fail to register when it's pressed? Look at other factors that could be causing your issue. For instance, if a key is continuously making multiple letters when pressing, it could indicate that there is a software issue and you should try using the settings on your keyboard to adjust the sensitivity of your keyboard, as well as other features.
If the issue persists you should begin assessing more serious issues. The first thing you should do is unplug the keyboard and give it a good cleaning with a moist cloth. This can help to remove any dust or other debris that could be causing the issue and make it easier to work on.
After cleaning the key, it is essential to dry the area completely. This can be accomplished by using the help of a cotton swab or letting it air dry naturally. Before reassembling the keyboard and keycap, it's important to ensure that they are completely dry. This will keep any moisture that is not needed from damaging them.
After you've finished the cleaning, you should test the key again to make sure that it's functioning correctly. You can try typing in different applications and then note any mistakes. You can also try pressing the key with different pressures to ensure it functions properly.
If cleaning and re-seating the keycap doesn't solve the problem it's likely that the key switch isn't working properly. If this is the case, you will require replacing the keycap or the entire keyboard.
Take off the cap on the key.
To remove the keycap, you will need to use an instrument. It could be as simple as a fingernail, or as complicated as the wire keycap puller tool. To remove the cap you need to wedge your tool under the key and then pull it upwards to release it from the switch below. It may require some effort and the larger keys may only be released on one side. You can use a keycap remover, but you can also perform the task using your fingernail or pen.
When you remove keycaps, be careful, especially in the case of keyboards that have LED backlighting. If you connect the input device and then turn it on while trying to remove a keycap, you will be greeted with a beautiful blinding light that could potentially ruin your eyesight. If this is a concern it is best to leave the keycap removal to computer repair professionals and simply clean your keyboard instead.
If you are using a tool, you must be careful not to damage the underside of the keycap or the switch beneath it. This can cause the key to fail or malfunction and cause serious issues in the future. If you don't already have a keycap removal tool, you can make one yourself by using the ends of a binderclip as well as a twist tie. To make a DIY keycap remover bend the ends of a binder clip into the shape of a "U" and then twist them together.
After removing the keycap and the key stem, you can use a microfiber towel to clean the switch beneath and the key stem. This will eliminate any dust or lint that has accumulated between the switch and the keyswitch. This could cause the keyboard to react poorly. It is highly recommended to do this before attempting to attach the new cap and make the attachment process much easier. This is a great chance to clean and grease your switches.
Replace the key
In the past, misplacing the key or losing it was a minor annoyance. A spare could easily be obtained. But as cars have become more technologically advanced, the key fob is now able to play a larger role in our lives, and the consequences of a broken or lost key could be a lot more severe. There are some things you can do to fix a damaged or broken fob or key, and make sure you don't need a costly replacement.
The first step is to try and determine if the problem is caused by a small problem like dust accumulation, or something more serious, such as damaged circuit boards. If the problem is dust, dirt, or grit, it's easy to clean an unresponsive key. Use a bottle of compressed air to blow out any dust or grit that may have built up around the key.
If the problem is more severe, then you'll need to take out the key's internal parts. This includes removing the key cap and key carriage as well as the key pad. For this, you'll need the right container like a bowl or plastic bag that can be used to store all the parts. You'll require a small butter knife or screwdriver to remove the old key from the keyboard.
When you've removed all of the internal components, put the new key inside the slot for the key. Press down on it until it snaps or clicks into place. This will replace the previous broken key, and hopefully restore it to function.
A change in temperature or sweat may also cause the fob cease to function. Sometimes, it is enough to let the fob rest, and it will eventually return to normal. If this doesn't work, you'll need to reset the fob. You can do this by following the directions in the owner's guide for your particular model.
Test the key
It's a good idea to examine the keycap after you've replaced it. This will help you determine whether the issue is caused by debris or something more serious. You can test a button by repeatedly pressing it, and observing changes in the color of your screen. broken key repair indicates that the key is working properly, while a color of blue indicates that there's something wrong. If you notice yellow then it's time to remove the keyboard apart and clean it again.
If the keyboard doesn't respond to your input, it could be a problem with your connection cable or port. It is possible to plug another keyboard into the same port to see if that works. Also, you can see if the pins in the port or cable are bent. This could be the reason for the keys not responding. To fix this, gently straighten the pins with the help of needle-nose pliers.
Cleaning the keyboard switch is essential as keys can become stuck there. You can use canned-air to blow the switch out and clean between keys. You can also remove the keycap and then pry the switch off to clean it. If you're still unable to press the key or switch, you could try using lubricant to clean it from.
A keyboard testing tool is an excellent online tool to determine whether your keyboard functions correctly. It's easy to use and doesn't require software installation. You can save a significant amount of cash on repair fees by using this service.
To test your keyboard, go to an online keyboard testing tool and type a word into the virtual layout. The word will appear blue on the screen and, if the keyboard is working correctly it will be highlighted in white. If the word doesn't appear highlighted, it could be because your keyboard isn't connected the computer, or perhaps the software is out of date.