DIY: assembly and disassembly of the key fob
 

My key fob was having some problems... probably due to the amount of time I constantly flipping it out (playing with it).

However... you may also need this in a few years when one of the buttons won't press... or the flipping mechanism gets loose... or if you damage the shell and don't want to have a new key cut and programmed (put the internals in a new "shell").

It pretty easy. You only need a small screwdriver for carefully prying the shell apart.

First pop the battery cover off and pull the battery out. To do this put the key in the open position and your thumb in the space where the key was... and just pop it right off (I did this out of order, thats why the battery cover is still on there).

Then pry lightly on the top side of the key fob with your small flathead like so (mine was easy because it was already coming apart there).

EDIT: if the links die again... use this link: http://s601.photobucket.com/user/DBe...rary/Key%20Fob

http://i601.photobucket.com/albums/t...b/DSCF9830.jpg

Then do the same to the backside (next to the metal ring holder)... but slower this time to ease it off. You may be able to hold the remaining plastic part and push on the metal part.

When the front-face comes completely free from the back-face it will spin 2 revolutions from the spring force.

Then you can proceed to take out the key and the chip

http://i601.photobucket.com/albums/t...b/DSCF9833.jpg

Usually I would say... just do the disassembly in reverse for the assembly. But you need to put the spring force back into the key... don't worry it is easy.

-Put the push button back into the key (if you separated it from the key).

-Put the chip back in the front-face facing down.

-Put the key into its home in the "out" position

-Put the spring back into the push button (it will "seat" into a locked in position)

- put the back face onto the spring and make sure that the spring's little "foot" is in its home... this is what the foot looks like

http://i601.photobucket.com/albums/t...b/DSCF9834.jpg

you will be holding it like this...

http://i601.photobucket.com/albums/t...b/DSCF9837.jpg

spin the back-face in a counterclockwise rotation, that will spring the key outwards.

rotate it 2 full revolutions and snap it back on.

the rest is cake... just make sure you press it together hard enough so it clicks (finger pressure should do it).


I took mine apart and put it back together in about 5 minutes. Just doing this made the key fit in there much better (no more play). So hopefully I wont need to replace my shell.

But if you ever need to replace the shell... at least you wont be dropping $120 on a new cut key, dealer programing, and a couple of wasted hours at the stealership.

There are a couple places to get an uncut, unprogrammed key (for swapping the internals):

http://americankeysupply.com/index.p...oducts_id=1282

and without the remote start...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A3GM12XFXQPQFV

.... Or email PatrickT at GM Parts House (forum sponsor): patrick@gmpartshouse.com .... not sure how much they cost, but I think you can get one from him pre-cut.


Or you can get a used one on ebay for a couple dollars cheaper.

Nice Write Up !!

thanks, it's in my maintenance folders now.:thumbsup:

I belive their is a way to program them yourself as well

If anyone finds out that this is true... Please post.

you can put one of your origional keys in the ignition and turn to the on position, then remove it, put your new unprogrammed key in the same ignition and turn it to the on position and wait to hear it beep and display "third key remembered" or some thing like that on the center display. that is how I programmed my ordered key. works just like the one that came with my car.

Nice write up and pics. I wondered what the inside looked like.

But you'd need to have the blade (the part that you physically stick in the ignition) laser cut to match your other keys. That part you can't do yourself...

Anyone have the pictures to those dead links?

Where are the pictures?
 

Hi,
Where can I find the pictures? Would feel a whole lot better if I had some pictures to go with the text.
Thanks

Pics are back up

I read the post on how to program a new key fob. I'm awaiting my new pre cut key fob and am wondering if that's all I need to do. Is put the old key in, turn to tge "on" position then remove and do the same with my brand new key?
Any other advice would be greatly welcomed. I should get new key by Friday.

Craig

BUMP

And I'm curious how us non-locksmith's can buy anything from that American Key Supply website...