Many Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep owners have noticed something curious about their key fobs, especially those with 5 buttons. You might have even purchased a stylish 6-button key fob case, hoping to activate a hidden “panic” button. The reality, especially for European models, is a bit more complex than simply swapping cases. Let’s delve into the details of how to reprogram your Chrysler key fob and explore the functionality of that elusive sixth button.
It turns out, as investigations into standard 5-button fobs have revealed, that the internal circuit board (PCB) often comes equipped with the components for all six buttons. This discovery leads to the natural question: why doesn’t the sixth button, typically intended for “panic,” function out of the box?
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The key to this puzzle lies in a small, often overlooked component: the conductive tracked membrane. This thin, cellophane-like layer sits between the PCB and the key fob shell. It’s designed with conductive tracks that translate your button presses to the circuit board. While your PCB might indeed have six micro-switches ready to go, the standard European 5-button key fob typically features a conductive membrane with only five corresponding tracks. The track for the sixth button, which would activate the panic function, is simply missing.
So, can you reprogram your Chrysler key fob to utilize that sixth button? Unfortunately, reprogramming alone won’t solve this hardware limitation. The issue isn’t software; it’s the physical absence of the necessary conductive track on the membrane within your current key fob.
However, there is a solution for those who desire a functional 6-button key fob, complete with a working panic button. The approach involves acquiring a complete 6-button key fob, specifically one intended for the North American market. These fobs are designed to fully utilize all six buttons and include the crucial conductive membrane with the sixth track.
To achieve a working 6-button fob, you would essentially need to:
- Obtain a 6-button key fob from the US market. These can often be found online through marketplaces like eBay or specialized remote providers. Look for phrases like “Chrysler 6 button remote” or “Chrysler panic button key fob.”
- Carefully disassemble both your existing 5-button fob and the newly acquired 6-button fob.
- Transfer the 6-button conductive membrane from the US fob into your original fob shell. In some cases, you might also consider transferring your existing EURO PCB into the US 6-button fob shell, ensuring compatibility.
By swapping the conductive membrane, or potentially the entire PCB and membrane assembly, into your key fob, you can effectively enable the sixth button. Once the hardware is in place, the programming of the key fob to your vehicle should remain the same as with your original 5-button fob.
For general Chrysler key fob reprogramming instructions, resources like freeremoteinstructions.com offer valuable guidance. Keep in mind that these instructions typically cover the standard key fob functions and not the activation of a previously non-functional button.
In conclusion, while the hardware for a 6th button might be present on your Chrysler key fob PCB, the missing conductive membrane track is the reason why it remains inactive in many regions. By understanding this limitation and exploring solutions like sourcing a complete 6-button fob from markets where it is fully enabled, you can potentially unlock the full functionality of your Chrysler key fob.
