Keyless Entry
Remote not locking the car any more? We repair, replace and re-sync keyless entry for most makes on Australian roads.
Remote stopped working?
Most keyless entry faults are cheap to fix — if you catch them early.
Keyless entry is the part of your key that locks and unlocks the doors. It's separate from the immobiliser chip that starts the engine, which is why a car can start perfectly while the buttons do nothing at all.
That separation is good news: a remote fault often means a battery, a worn button contact, or a fob that has lost sync — not a whole new key.
Bring the fob in and we'll diagnose it before quoting anything.
Call 0404 532 049
Everything you need to know
Keyless entry and remote fobs, explained
Why has my remote stopped working?
In order of how often we see it: a flat battery, worn button contacts inside the fob, a fob knocked out of sync with the car, water damage, or a cracked circuit board from a drop.
Less often the fault is in the car — a failed receiver or a fuse. That's worth knowing before you buy a new remote, because a new remote won't fix it.
Repair or replace?
We diagnose first. If it's a battery or a button contact, a repair costs a fraction of a new fob and takes minutes.
If the board is cracked or water has got in, replacement is usually the honest answer — a patched board tends to fail again, often somewhere less convenient.
Re-syncing a remote to your car
Fobs can lose their pairing after a flat car battery, a battery change in the key, or repeated button presses out of range. Re-syncing re-pairs the fob to the receiver.
Some cars have a manual re-sync procedure; many need diagnostic equipment. We'll tell you which yours is — if it's a procedure you can do yourself in the driveway, we'll say so.
Adding keyless entry to a car that doesn't have it
Plenty of older vehicles left the factory with plain door locks. Aftermarket central locking and remote kits can be fitted to most of them, giving you remote lock, unlock and often a boot release.
Bring the car in and we'll tell you what's possible for your model and what it involves.
Keyless entry vs keyless start
They sound alike and get confused constantly. Keyless entry means the remote buttons that lock and unlock the doors. Keyless start — a smart or proximity key — means the car starts on a button with the key in your pocket.
Many cars have both, and they can fail independently. If yours starts fine but won't unlock, that's an entry fault.
Some faults are the car rather than the fob. We diagnose before we quote so you don't pay for the wrong repair.
The process
Four steps, most keys same day
Tell us what it's doing
Dead buttons, short range, or intermittent — the symptom narrows the cause.
We diagnose the fob
Battery, contacts, board and sync all checked before anything is quoted.
Repair or replace
Whichever is genuinely the better value for your car — we'll say which.
Re-synced and tested
Paired to the car and every function checked, including the boot.
See our latest works
Keyless entry work around Brisbane
Google reviews
Over 550+ Google 5 star reviews
Had my LandCruiser 76 key remote done here and couldn’t be happier. The service was excellent, pricing was very reasonable, and the whole process was smooth and professional. Definitely much better than dealing with random Facebook Marketplace mobile services. Highly recommend this place!
Woody H.
I recently used Tapsy Car Key Program and was genuinely impressed with the level of professionalism and efficiency they provided. They quickly programmed my car key without any hassle, saving me both time and money compared to going through the dealership.
Sam R.
I had issues with my key missing a part and my car therefore not turning on. Through online research, we found Tapsy. Great, clear communication. The whole process was quick and efficient. Excellent service overall, would recommend to anyone in the same situation!!
Luca Graumann.
Trusted by many people
Need help finding your VIN?
It's 17 characters, and it's closer than you think.
Look at the base of the windscreen on the driver's side, inside the driver's door jamb, or on your registration papers. It can also be stamped on the firewall at the back of the engine bay.
Send us a photo of it and we'll take it from there — the VIN tells us exactly which key your car was built with.
Frequently asked questions
My remote works sometimes — is that the battery?
Usually. Intermittent operation and short range are classic flat-battery symptoms. It's the first thing we check and the cheapest to fix.
Can you fix a remote that's been through the wash?
Sometimes. If it's dried out and the board is clean we can often revive it, but water damage tends to come back. We'll tell you honestly whether it's worth repairing.
Can you add remote central locking to an older car?
On most models, yes. Bring the car in and we'll confirm what can be fitted.
Why does my car start but not unlock with the button?
Because those are two separate systems. The immobiliser chip is working; the remote side isn't. It's usually a fob fault, occasionally the car's receiver.
Do I need a whole new key just for the buttons?
Often not. If the blade and chip are fine, a repair or a shell swap can be enough.
Do you come to me?
Yes, though remote diagnosis is quicker and cheaper at the workshop where the full bench of equipment is.
As featured in
Remote playing up?
Bring it in and we'll diagnose it before quoting. Most keyless entry faults cost less to fix than people expect.