Is your Chevy key fob acting up? Whether the buttons are sticky, the flip mechanism is loose, or you need to replace the shell, opening your key fob is often the first step in troubleshooting or repair. You might be surprised to learn that you can easily disassemble your Chevy key fob at home with just a simple tool. This guide will walk you through the process of safely opening your Chevy key fob, allowing you to access the internal components for battery replacement, cleaning, or shell swapping.
Before you consider spending money on a new key or a service appointment, try this straightforward DIY approach. You’ll only need a small flathead screwdriver and a few minutes of your time. Let’s get started!
Tools You’ll Need
- Small flathead screwdriver
Step-by-Step Guide to Opening Your Chevy Key Fob
Follow these detailed steps to carefully open your Chevy key fob without causing any damage.
Step 1: Remove the Battery Cover
The first step is to remove the battery cover. Locate the small rectangular cover on the back of your key fob. To remove it, flip out the key as if you were going to use it in the ignition. Place your thumb in the space where the key was housed when folded, and gently pop the battery cover off. It should detach with a slight push.
Step 2: Pry Open the Key Fob Shell
With the battery cover removed, you’ll now need to separate the two halves of the key fob shell. Locate the seam that runs around the edge of the key fob. Using your small flathead screwdriver, gently insert the tip into the seam on the top side of the key fob, near the keyring loop. Apply gentle pressure and twist the screwdriver to start prying the shell apart.
Once you’ve created a small opening on the top side, move to the backside of the key fob, near the metal keyring holder. Insert the screwdriver into the seam here and carefully continue to pry the shell apart. Work slowly and gently to ease the two halves apart without forcing them. You may find it helpful to hold the plastic part of the key fob and push against the metal keyring portion to help separate the halves.
Step 3: Disassemble the Key Fob Components
As you separate the front and back faces of the key fob, be aware that there is a spring mechanism inside that may cause the front face to spin slightly as it comes free. This is normal. Once the shell is open, you will see the internal components: the key blade, the circuit board chip, and the spring mechanism. You can now carefully remove the key blade and the circuit board chip if needed for your repair or shell replacement.
Reassembling Your Chevy Key Fob
Putting your Chevy key fob back together is generally straightforward, but the spring mechanism requires a little attention to ensure the key flips out correctly.
Step 1: Prepare for Reassembly
Before reassembling, ensure all components are clean and correctly positioned. If you removed the push button from the key blade, reattach it. Place the circuit board chip back into the front face of the key fob, ensuring it is facing down in its designated slot.
Step 2: Resetting the Spring Mechanism
This is the trickiest part of reassembly, but it’s still quite simple. Place the key blade in its housing in the “out” or extended position. Position the spring back into the push button area. It should seat securely into a locked position.
Now, take the back face of the key fob and carefully align it with the front face, ensuring the small “foot” of the spring is correctly positioned in its designated slot on the back face.
Step 3: Closing the Key Fob
With the spring foot in place, hold the back face and rotate it counterclockwise about two full revolutions. This will preload the spring mechanism, allowing the key to flip out when assembled. After rotating, carefully snap the back face onto the front face. Press firmly around the edges until you hear a click, ensuring the shell is completely closed and secure. Finger pressure should be sufficient to snap it back together.
Conclusion
Opening your Chevy key fob is a simple process that can save you time and money. Whether you are replacing a battery, cleaning the buttons, or swapping out the shell, understanding how to safely disassemble and reassemble your key fob is a valuable skill for any Chevy owner. By following these steps, you can confidently tackle basic key fob maintenance and repairs yourself. If you need to replace the entire shell, remember you can often purchase uncut, unprogrammed keys online and simply transfer the internal components from your old key fob, avoiding costly dealership programming fees.
