Is your Chevy key fob acting up? Maybe the buttons are sticky, the flip mechanism is loose, or perhaps the shell is damaged. Before you rush to a dealership and spend a fortune on a replacement, you should know that opening your Chevy key fob is a straightforward process you can do yourself. This guide will walk you through each step to safely open your key fob, whether for a simple fix or to replace the outer shell.
Opening your Chevy key fob can be necessary for several reasons. Sometimes, cleaning the contacts inside can resolve button issues. Other times, you might need to replace the battery, or transfer the internal components to a new, undamaged shell. Whatever the reason, understanding how to access the inside of your key fob is a valuable skill for any Chevy owner. This simple DIY approach can save you time and money, avoiding expensive dealership services for minor key fob problems.
To begin, you’ll only need a small flathead screwdriver. Let’s get started and open up your Chevy key fob.
First, remove the battery cover and take out the battery. To do this, flip out the key as if you were going to use it in the ignition. Then, place your thumb in the space where the key was housed when folded. You should be able to pop the battery cover off with a little pressure. Set the battery aside in a safe place.
Next, locate the seam on the top side of your key fob. This is usually near the keyring attachment. Carefully insert your small flathead screwdriver into this seam. Apply gentle pressure and begin to pry the two halves of the key fob shell apart. Work slowly and patiently to avoid damaging the plastic.
Once you’ve created a small opening on the top side, move to the backside of the key fob, near the metal keyring holder. Again, gently insert your screwdriver into the seam. This time, work even more slowly and carefully. Ease the two halves apart, possibly holding the plastic part of the fob while pushing against the metal keyring portion for leverage.
As the front face of the key fob separates completely from the back face, be aware that it might rotate a couple of times due to the spring mechanism inside. This is normal, so don’t be alarmed.
With the case open, you can now carefully remove the physical key blade and the internal circuit board chip from the key fob shell. Lay these components out on a clean surface.
Reassembling the key fob is generally the reverse of disassembly, but there’s a trick to resetting the spring mechanism for the flip key. Here’s how to put it back together correctly:
- If you removed it, place the push button back into the key blade.
- Position the circuit board chip back into the front half of the key fob shell, ensuring it faces downwards into its designated slot.
- Place the key blade back into its housing in the “out” or open position.
- Insert 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 shell and carefully align it with the front face. Make sure the small “foot” of the spring is correctly positioned in its corresponding slot on the back face. This “foot” is crucial for the flip key mechanism to work properly.
Hold the key fob assembly together as shown in the image below.
Rotate the back face of the shell in a counterclockwise direction. This action will wind the spring and create the outward spring force for the flip key. Rotate it approximately two full revolutions. After rotating, carefully snap the back face onto the front face of the key fob shell.
Finally, press both halves of the key fob shell together firmly until you hear a click. This ensures that the case is securely closed. Reinstall the battery and battery cover.
By following these steps, you’ve successfully opened and reassembled your Chevy key fob. This process can often resolve issues like a loose key blade or improve button responsiveness simply by ensuring all components are properly seated. If you were aiming to replace a damaged shell, now you can easily transfer your key’s internals into a new Chevy key fob shell without needing to get a new key cut or programmed, saving you considerable expense at the dealership.
