These key fobs crap themselves over time.
Especially if they are dropped.
For some reason, the Printed Circuit Board (PCB)doesn't hold-up that well.
If you are certain it IS the right key for the car - you may be able to fix it yourself.
If it's as simple as a cracked solder joint it's repairable.
If you are handy with a soldering iron it's a good DIY.
My wife's key looked shabby and wasn't working..
Options were limited to buying a new key and having the dealer program it – or – fixing & transplanting the key internals.
Here’s how to open up the key and do a transplant at home.
There are a fewmain parts to the remote key:
a) Housing
b) RFID chip
c) Circuit board
d) Aluminum key
You’ll need to swap over items b) to d) to the new housing.
eBay is a good source for used, low-cost remote keys.
Things you’ll need:
- small screwdriver
- bone tool
- plastic glue suitable for polyamide
- used remote key that’s in much better condition than yours!
Step 1 – Disassemble your remote
1.1 Remove the aluminium key
(and put aside)
1.2 Using the bone tool, lever off the battery cover
(you’ll also see a notch at the key end of the remote)
1.3 Push the battery at one end & pry out the battery
1.4 Starting at the key end use the bone tool to open up the key at the seam
(make sure your bone tools is reasonably sharp)
(don’t twist the bone tool, you want to gently force the seam apart)
1.5 Once the seam is broken, gradually work your way down the housing
1.6 Making sure you open up both sides evenly
1.7 Disassembled key
(recover any parts that may fall out)
1.8. Remove the RFID chip and circuit board
(put aside for later)
Parts shown for clarity
Step 2 – Prepare the donor remote
2.1 repeat step 1 except; discard the:
- aluminium key
- RFID chip
- Circuit board
They are programmed for another car and won’t work with yours
Re-programming requires the original codes that came with the key
Step 3 – Reassembly
3.1 place the circuit board in the new housing
3.2 place the RFID chip in the new housing
(Blu-Tack or Fun-Tak helps keep the RFID chip in place)
3.3 Note where the key housings were joined together – apply glue as indicated in red
(avoid the aluminum key release mechanism)
(I used a two-part plastics glue – primer & adhesive)
3.4 Press together, clamp (if required) and allow to dry
3.5 Refit the battery, battery cover and aluminium key
3.6 All done – our ‘new’ key on the left for $29
Enjoy!