Experiencing issues with your 2016 Chevrolet Silverado Key Fob can be frustrating. Like many Silverado owners, you might find yourself dealing with unexpected door locking and unlocking problems. One user on a forum shared their experience which might shed light on a potential DIY solution for common key fob malfunctions.
Initially, this Silverado owner, with a 2017 model but likely sharing similar key fob designs with the 2016 model, encountered a perplexing situation around 2020 or 2021. The symptoms were twofold: firstly, attempting to lock the doors with the key fob would result in them immediately unlocking. Secondly, the doors would randomly unlock while driving or when the vehicle was in retained accessory power mode. Troubleshooting led them to discover that keeping the key fob out of range of the truck temporarily resolved the issue, pointing towards the fob itself as the source of the problem. Consequently, they began using their second key fob, storing the potentially faulty one indoors, away from the vehicle.
Fast forward to recently, and the same frustrating symptoms resurfaced with the second key fob. Determined to find a solution, the owner decided to investigate further. Carefully opening the key fob casing, they discovered a clear, gel-like substance present on areas of the circuit board and the inside of the casing.
Through testing, this gel appeared to be conductive and suspected as the cause of the key fob’s erratic behavior. Using a simple paper towel, the owner meticulously cleaned the gel substance from the circuit board and the casing. After reassembling the key fob, initial tests indicated a successful repair.
While the exact nature of this gel remains unconfirmed, the owner speculated it could be leakage from the battery, differing from typical battery corrosion. Regardless of its origin, cleaning this substance proved to be an effective fix in this instance. The owner planned to continue using the repaired key fob to monitor the long-term success of this simple solution.
If you’re experiencing similar issues with your 2016 Chevrolet Silverado key fob, this DIY approach of inspecting and cleaning the internal components might be worth trying before seeking professional repair or replacement.
