Having issues with your 2011 Kia Soul Key Fob? Like many car owners, I found myself facing a frustrating and potentially expensive problem when my key fob started to wear out. The dealership quoted a hefty price for a replacement, pushing me to look for a more affordable solution. Luckily, fixing it myself turned out to be surprisingly straightforward and saved me a significant amount of money.
The Worn-Out Key Fob Problem
My original key fob case was cracked and the buttons were becoming unresponsive. It’s a common issue with everyday wear and tear. The thought of paying a dealership hundreds of dollars for a new key fob and programming seemed excessive, especially when the electronics inside were still perfectly functional.
The DIY Key Fob Repair Solution
I decided to take the DIY route and ordered a replacement key fob case online for around $10. The process was simpler than I initially imagined. Here’s how I tackled it:
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Opening the Old and New Cases: Carefully opened both the new and the old key fob cases. These usually snap together, so gentle prying with a small screwdriver or plastic tool is needed.
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Swapping the Key Blade and Transponder Chip: The crucial step is transferring the internal components. I removed the physical key blade and the transponder chip from the old case. The transponder chip is essential for the car to recognize the key, so handle it with care.
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Assembling the New Case: I placed the key blade and transponder chip into the new key fob case. Interestingly, I noticed a slight difference in the interior molding of the new case. The transponder chip didn’t ‘snap’ into place as securely as in the original. However, once the case was closed and screwed together, the chip was held firmly and hasn’t caused any problems since.
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Button Issue and Solution: I encountered a minor hiccup with the button that releases the key blade. For some reason, the new button didn’t fit into the old key assembly, even though they looked identical. To solve this, I simply reused the original, slightly worn button. A minor detail, but it worked perfectly.
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New Key Blade and Spare Keys: The replacement case came with a new, uncut key blade. I took this blank blade to a local locksmith and had two copies made for an additional $10. I also invested $5 in a hide-a-key box as a secure place to store a spare.
