View CartRemotes Unlimited sells a lot of replacement remote transmitters for both factory keyless entry systems and aftermarket alarm systems. We sell direct to consumers through our website, but the main part of our business is supporting programs at the large auto parts chains. Yes, you can buy a replacement remote via special order at AutoZone, Pep Boys and Advance Auto and, if you do, odds are that we will be involved in the transaction.
We have learned a lot over the years about how specification of a replacement keyfob works . . . and how it does not work. If you go into an auto parts store to purchase a replacement, the single biggest issue is that they tend not to think about the possibility that your vehicle might have a dealer-installed system or an aftermarket alarm system in the vehicle. All of their instinct and training is to look up parts by the make, model and year of the vehicle.
Looking up a replacement part that way works very well if your vehicle is equipped with a factory keyless entry system. If your vehicle is less than five years old, the odds are that your vehicle came equipped with factory keyless entry as standard equipment. But if your vehicle is older than that, the odds that factory keyless entry was optional equipment on your vehicle go way up. And during those years when factory keyless entry was part of a sometimes high-priced option package, a lot of vehicles were shipped without factory keyless entry. When that was the case, dealers made a lot of money selling dealer-installed keyless entry systems. These systems may have the vehicle manufacturer’s brand on them or they may have an aftermarket alarm system brand, such as Code Alarm.
Because of this ambiguity about what kind of system may be in your vehicle – especially if you bought it used – Remotes Unlimited believes the best starting point for specifying a replacement remote is information from your existing remote. Most keyfobs have identifying information, such as an FCC ID number, a manufacturer’s part number, or something else which helps clarify the type of system in a vehicle. So, if you are trying to buy a replacement remote, we recommend you take an original part with you if you can, and tell the counter person that you want the correct replacement remote for that part, not that you are looking for a remote that works with 200x Honda Accord.
