What are the reasons why the Buick GL8 key cannot unlock the door?

[LeMadison]

Here are the reasons why the Buick GL8 key cannot unlock the door: 1. Insufficient battery power: If the car remote key fails, a dead key battery can also cause a situation that resembles remote failure. In this case, replace the key battery to see if the situation improves. 2. Sealing issue: If the key has power but the remote function fails, over time, due to sealing problems, the interior may suffer from moisture, dirt, oxidation, and other factors, causing the buttons to gradually become less responsive. In this situation, you need to disassemble the key casing and use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol to clean the button base on the internal circuit board of the key. 3. Poor circuit board contact: Another possibility for car remote failure is poor contact on the circuit board. This requires soldering, but since the solder points are very small and most car owners lack tools like a soldering iron, it is recommended to take it to a professional electronics repair or mobile phone repair shop for handling.

[McCecilia]

I've been driving a Buick GL8 for several years and have also encountered issues with the key not unlocking the doors. The most common cause is the key battery running out—the small coin cell inside usually lasts about a year or two before needing replacement. Changing the battery yourself often fixes the issue immediately. Additionally, if the car battery is low, such as when the vehicle hasn't been driven for a long time, it can also prevent the doors from receiving signals. Signal interference is an invisible culprit; I remember once parking near high-voltage power lines, and the key stopped working—moving to a different spot resolved it. Don't overlook mechanical issues either, like dust jamming the keyhole or a faulty door lock. I recommend checking the key battery during every maintenance service. If DIY doesn’t work, visit a 4S shop to have the module inspected—the antenna system in this Buick model is prone to minor issues, and proper maintenance can save a lot of hassle.