Are you experiencing issues with your Chevrolet Cruze key fob? Perhaps it’s cracked, buttons are unresponsive, or the casing is damaged? The good news is, replacing your Chevy Cruze key fob is a straightforward process you can easily do yourself. This guide will walk you through each step, ensuring you can quickly and affordably restore full functionality to your key fob. You won’t need to be a car expert to follow these instructions, and you’ll save money by avoiding dealership service fees.
Tools You’ll Need for Your Cruze Key Fob Replacement
Before you begin, gather these simple tools. Having everything ready will make the replacement process smooth and efficient.
- Small Hammer: Essential for gently tapping the punch and pin. A standard household hammer will work perfectly.
- 1/16″ Punch: This precision tool is used to push out the retaining pin that secures the key blade to the fob. Gunsmithing punch sets are ideal, but any 1/16″ punch will do the job.
You can easily find a 1/16″ punch online if you don’t already have one in your toolkit.
Parts Required: Choosing the Right Replacement Cruze Key Fob
To complete this repair, you’ll need a replacement key fob shell. Ensure you purchase an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) key fob to guarantee compatibility and performance. Aftermarket fobs may not function correctly with your Cruze’s system.
-
Replacement 4-Button OEM Cruze Key Fob: If your original key fob has four buttons (Lock, Unlock, Trunk, Panic), this is the correct replacement for you. These are widely available online.
-
Replacement 5-Button OEM Cruze Key Fob: For Cruze models with a five-button fob (including Remote Start), select this option. Verify the button layout matches your current fob before purchasing.
Make sure to select the key fob with the correct number of buttons to match your original.
Important Note: This tutorial assumes your original key blade is still in good condition. We will be transferring your existing key blade to the new fob housing. Also, you will need at least one functioning key to program the new fob, except in the special case detailed later.
Step-by-Step Chevrolet Cruze Key Fob Replacement Procedure
Let’s get started with the replacement process. Follow these steps carefully to ensure a successful key fob repair.
Step 1: Removing the Key Blade from Your Old Cruze Key Fob
Begin by disassembling your damaged Cruze key fob. Locate the retaining pin that holds the key blade in place. This pin is usually visible on the side of the fob, near where the key blade hinges.
Position the old key fob on a firm, stable surface. Using your 1/16″ punch and hammer, gently tap the retaining pin. Apply firm, controlled taps until the pin begins to move and is pushed out enough to be removed. Be patient and avoid excessive force to prevent damage to the key blade or new fob.
Step 2: Preparing Your New Chevrolet Cruze Key Fob
Take your new OEM replacement Cruze key fob. You’ll need to remove the retaining pin from this new fob in the same manner as you did with the old one. This will prepare the new fob to receive your existing, cut key blade.
It may be necessary to rest the edge of the new key fob on a solid surface to provide leverage while tapping out the pin, as it might be tightly fitted. Continue tapping firmly with the punch and hammer until the pin is sufficiently removed.
Step 3: Assembling the New Key Fob with Your Original Key Blade
Now, carefully take the key blade from your old Cruze key fob and insert it into the new key fob housing. Align the holes on the key blade and the new fob so that the retaining pin can pass through them.
Once aligned, take the retaining pin (either from the old or new fob) and push it back into place. In most cases, you can use just your hammer for this step, tapping gently until the pin is fully inserted and flush with the surface of the key fob. Ensure the key blade swings smoothly after reassembly.
Step 4: Programming Your New Chevrolet Cruze Key Fob
Programming the new key fob to your Chevrolet Cruze is a simple process that utilizes your existing working key.
- Start Your Car with a Working Key: Insert your original, functioning key into the ignition and start your Chevrolet Cruze. Let the car run for a few seconds.
- Switch to the New Key Fob: Turn off your car and remove the working key. Within five seconds of turning the ignition off, insert the new key fob into the ignition and start the car again.
Turn off the ignition and test the buttons on your newly assembled key fob to confirm they are working correctly (lock, unlock, trunk, panic, and remote start if applicable). In most cases, the key fob will program successfully on the first try.
Special Scenario: Replacing Your Only Chevrolet Cruze Key Fob
If you only have one key for your Cruze and do not have a spare to start the car, you can still perform the replacement using a slightly modified procedure.
- Detach the Key Blade: Remove the retaining pin from your old key fob as described in Step 1, separating the key blade from the damaged fob.
- Start Car with Just the Blade and Old Fob: Insert only the metal blade of your original key into the ignition. Leave the plastic portion of the old key fob detached. Press the “open” button on both your old and new key fobs to ensure the swing mechanisms are open. Use the old key fob (plastic part, without the blade inserted) to start the car (hold it close to the ignition if needed, as it contains the transponder). Turn off the car immediately after starting.
- Program with New Fob: Quickly remove the old key fob plastic part from the ignition, leaving the blade in place. Immediately attach the new key fob plastic part to the blade in the ignition. Start the car again with the new key fob and blade combination.
- Reassemble: Remove the key blade (pliers may be helpful if it’s tight). Then, assemble your original key blade into the new key fob housing and secure it with the retaining pin as outlined in Step 3.
This method allows you to program the new fob even when you only have a single original key.
By following these steps, you can easily complete your Chevrolet Cruze Key Fob Replacement at home. This DIY repair saves you time and money compared to dealership services, getting you back on the road with a fully functional key fob.
