Have you ever wondered why your Chrysler Town & Country key fob has six button spaces, including a panic button, but it doesn’t seem to function? Many owners of Chrysler Town & Country minivans, especially those in Europe, have encountered this puzzling issue. While your key fob might visually suggest a panic button feature, it may be inactive due to a subtle design difference. Let’s delve into why this happens and explore a potential solution to get that sixth button working for you.
Understanding the Chrysler Key Fob Mystery
The key to understanding this issue lies within the internal components of your Chrysler key fob. As it turns out, even if you have a standard 5-button key fob for your Chrysler Town & Country, the internal circuit board (PCB) is often designed with six micro-switches. This means the physical capability for a sixth button, typically the panic button, is actually present in many fobs, regardless of whether they originally came with a 5 or 6-button shell.
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However, the crucial element that activates these micro-switches is a conductive tracked membrane. This membrane sits between the PCB and the outer shell of the key fob and translates your button presses into signals. The problem arises because, in some regions, particularly in Europe, the conductive membrane included in the 5-button fobs often only has tracks for five buttons. Even though the sixth micro-switch is there on the PCB, without the corresponding track on the membrane, pressing the panic button area on your key fob shell won’t register any action.
The Solution: Unlocking the 6th Button on Your Chrysler Key Fob
If you are keen on getting your panic button to work, a potential solution involves acquiring a 6-button key fob shell and, more importantly, the correct conductive membrane. Here’s a breakdown of the approach based on user experiences:
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Obtain a 6-Button Key Fob Case: You can find replacement 6-button key fob cases online. These are essentially empty shells designed to house your existing key fob internals.
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Source a 6-Button Conductive Membrane: This is the critical component. The goal is to find a conductive membrane that has tracks for all six buttons, including the panic button. Key fobs from the US market are more likely to include this 6-button membrane. Consider searching online marketplaces for “Chrysler 6 button key fob membrane” or “Chrysler panic button membrane.” You might find complete 6-button fobs from US sellers.
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Transfer Your Existing Internals: Carefully open your existing 5-button key fob and remove the PCB. Then, place this PCB into the new 6-button fob case, ensuring you also include the 6-button conductive membrane you sourced.
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Test the Panic Button: Once reassembled, test the panic button. With the 6-button conductive membrane in place, pressing the panic button area should now activate the sixth micro-switch on the PCB, potentially enabling the panic function.
Important Considerations:
- Programming: While this modification might enable the panic button from a hardware perspective, you may still need to ensure your vehicle is programmed to recognize and respond to the panic signal from the key fob. Refer to your owner’s manual for key fob programming instructions or consult a locksmith. Online resources like
freeremoteinstructions.comcan also offer guidance on Chrysler key fob programming. - Transponder Chip: This modification primarily focuses on the button functionality. The transponder chip, responsible for starting the vehicle, is typically housed within your existing PCB and is transferred over, so immobilizer functionality should remain unaffected.
- Market Differences: Be aware that key fob configurations and functionalities can vary between regions (e.g., European vs. US models). Sourcing parts from markets where 6-button fobs are standard might be necessary to obtain the correct conductive membrane.
Conclusion:
While it can be frustrating to have a seemingly non-functional button on your Chrysler Town & Country key fob, understanding the internal design and the role of the conductive membrane can pave the way for a DIY solution. By acquiring a 6-button conductive membrane and transferring your existing PCB into a 6-button shell, you might be able to unlock the hidden panic button feature of your key fob. Remember to verify vehicle compatibility and programming requirements for full functionality.
