Is your Chevy Cruze key fob cracked, broken, or malfunctioning? Don’t rush to the dealership for an expensive replacement. If the blade of your key is still intact, you can easily replace the key fob casing yourself, saving time and money. This comprehensive guide will walk you through each step of replacing your Chevy Cruze key fob, making it a straightforward DIY project.
Tools and Parts You’ll Need
Before you begin, gather these simple tools and parts:
- Small Hammer: For gently tapping the punch.
- 1/16″ Punch: To push out the retaining pin. (A gunsmithing punch set works well, or you can find a 1/16″ punch on Amazon).
- Replacement Key Fob: Ensure you get the correct type for your Cruze.
It’s crucial to use an OEM replacement key fob to ensure compatibility and proper function with your Chevy Cruze. Aftermarket key fobs might not work correctly. You won’t need to get the key blade on the new fob cut, as you’ll be transferring your existing blade.
Step-by-Step Chevy Cruze Key Fob Replacement Guide
Whether your key fob is cracked like mine was near the swing mechanism, or damaged in another way, the replacement procedure is the same.
Follow these steps to transfer your existing key blade into the new key fob casing:
Step 1: Prepare Your Tools and Replacement Key Fob
Gather your hammer, punch, and the new OEM Chevy Cruze key fob. Have your original, broken key fob ready as well.
Step 2: Remove the Key Blade from the Old Fob
Place your broken key fob on a firm surface. Using the 1/16″ punch and hammer, carefully tap out the small retaining pin that secures the key blade to the fob. Position the punch on the pin and gently hammer until the pin is pushed out. You may need to apply firm taps.
Step 3: Install the Old Key Blade into the New Fob
Now, take your new replacement key fob. You’ll need to remove the retaining pin from this fob as well. It might be tighter than the pin in your old fob, so you may need to rest the edge of the new key fob on a hard surface for better leverage while tapping out the pin. Once the pin is out, remove the blank key blade and set it aside.
Take your original key blade from the broken fob and insert it into the new key fob casing. Align the holes and push the retaining pin back in to secure the blade. In most cases, you can push the pin back in using just the hammer, without needing the punch.
Step 4: Program Your New Key Fob
Programming the new key fob to work with your Chevy Cruze is surprisingly simple and only takes a few moments if you have a working spare key:
- Start your Chevy Cruze with your existing, working spare key and let the engine run for a few seconds.
- Turn off the ignition and remove the spare key.
- Within five seconds of turning the car off, insert the newly assembled key fob (with the replaced casing) into the ignition and start the car.
Turn off the car and test the buttons on your new key fob to ensure they are working correctly. In most cases, the key fob will program on the first try.
Special Case: Replacing Your Only Key
If you only have one key and no spare to start your car, follow this modified procedure:
- Remove the retaining pin and detach the blade from your old key fob as described earlier.
- Hit the unlock button on both your old and new key fobs to open the swing mechanism for the key blade.
- Insert just the blade of your old key into the ignition to start your car.
- Turn off the car.
- Quickly detach the old key fob from the blade and attach the new key fob to the blade.
- Start the car again with the blade now attached to the new key fob.
- If the blade is stuck, use pliers to remove it from the ignition.
- Finally, assemble the original blade into the new key fob casing and secure it with the retaining pin.
Conclusion: Save Money with DIY Key Fob Replacement
Replacing your Chevy Cruze key fob casing is a quick and easy DIY task that can save you a significant amount compared to dealership prices. By following these simple steps, you can restore the functionality of your key fob and avoid unnecessary expenses. This repair ensures you maintain the convenience of remote locking, unlocking, and other key fob features without the hassle of a costly professional replacement.
