Experiencing issues with your 2017 Gmc Sierra Key Fob? You’re not alone. Many owners of this popular truck model have reported frustrating problems with their key fobs, ranging from intermittent locking and unlocking to complete unresponsiveness. If your 2017 GMC Sierra key fob is acting up, before rushing to the dealership for an expensive replacement, consider this simple DIY fix that might just save you time and money.
Common 2017 GMC Sierra Key Fob Issues
Owners have described scenarios where their 2017 GMC Sierra key fob would lock the doors only to immediately unlock them again. Others have noted random unlocking events while driving or when the vehicle was in retained accessory power mode. These erratic behaviors can be incredibly inconvenient and even raise security concerns. Troubleshooting these issues often leads owners to suspect a faulty key fob.
A Simple DIY Repair: Cleaning Your Key Fob
One resourceful GMC Sierra owner discovered a potential culprit and a surprisingly easy solution. By carefully opening their 2017 GMC Sierra key fob, they identified a clear, gel-like substance on the circuit board and the inside of the fob casing. This substance, possibly leaked from the battery, appeared to be conductive and interfering with the key fob’s electronics.
The fix? Simply cleaning this gel substance. Using a paper towel, the owner gently cleaned the circuit board and casing, removing all traces of the gel. After reassembling the 2017 GMC Sierra key fob, initial tests indicated a successful repair. The erratic locking and unlocking issues disappeared.
Image: Internal components of a 2017 GMC Sierra key fob with red markings indicating areas affected by a gel-like substance, suspected of causing malfunctions.
Is Battery Leakage the Cause?
While not definitively confirmed, the gel-like substance resembles battery leakage. Unlike the typical corrosion seen in AA or AAA batteries, this substance had a clear, gel consistency. Whether it’s indeed battery leakage or another type of contaminant remains open to interpretation. However, the successful cleaning suggests that this substance was the root cause of the 2017 GMC Sierra key fob malfunctions.
Conclusion: Try Cleaning Before Replacing Your 2017 GMC Sierra Key Fob
If you’re experiencing frustrating issues with your 2017 GMC Sierra key fob, this DIY cleaning method is worth trying before considering a replacement. Carefully opening and cleaning the internal components might resolve the problem and restore your key fob to proper working order. While further long-term testing is always recommended, this simple fix offers a promising solution for a common 2017 GMC Sierra key fob problem.
