Experiencing issues with your 2008 Chevy HHR key fob? Before you consider spending a significant amount of money at a dealership for a replacement, there’s a straightforward, do-it-yourself solution you can attempt right at home. Dealerships often recommend immediate replacement, but the problem could be as simple as corroded battery contacts within your key fob. This guide will walk you through cleaning those contacts, potentially saving you both time and money.
Step 1: Opening Your 2008 Hhr Key Fob
The 2008 HHR key fob is designed to be opened with relative ease. Take a dull knife or a similar flat, sturdy tool. Gently insert the tool into the seam of the key fob and carefully pry it apart. You’ll encounter a waterproof seal around the edge, which might require a bit of pressure to overcome. Don’t be overly concerned about damaging it at this stage; our goal is to access the internal components for repair.
Step 2: Battery Removal and Identification
Once the key fob is open, the next step is to remove the battery. It’s highly advisable to replace the existing battery with a brand-new one to eliminate a weak battery as a potential cause of the issue. The 2008 HHR key fob typically uses a CR2032 battery. These batteries are widely available at most drug stores, supermarkets, and, of course, battery specialty stores.
Step 3: Cleaning the Battery Contacts for Your 2008 HHR Key Fob
Corrosion on the battery contacts is a frequent reason for key fob malfunctions, especially in models like the 2008 HHR key fob. To clean these contacts, take a cotton swab (Q-tip) and apply a small amount of lemon juice to one end. Carefully and gently wipe all the battery contact points inside the key fob. You’ll typically find three contact areas: two small prongs and a larger base contact. The base contact is often the area most susceptible to corrosion buildup.
Step 4: Drying and Reassembling the Key Fob
After cleaning the contacts with lemon juice, use the dry end of the cotton swab to thoroughly dry all the cleaned contact points. Ensure no moisture remains before proceeding. Once dried, place the new CR2032 battery into its correct position within the key fob. Finally, carefully snap the two halves of the 2008 HHR key fob back together until they are securely closed.
Step 5: Testing Your Repaired 2008 HHR Key Fob
Now, it’s time to test if your simple cleaning procedure has resolved the issue. Go to your 2008 Chevy HHR and attempt to use your key fob as you normally would. You might be pleasantly surprised to find that this straightforward cleaning process has effectively restored the functionality of your key fob.
Additional Tip: Addressing Soldering Issues and Seeking Professional Assistance
While cleaning the battery contacts resolves many 2008 HHR key fob problems, another potential issue can be a detached or unsoldered prong inside the fob. If cleaning the contacts doesn’t restore your key fob’s function, this could be the underlying cause. Battery specialty stores, such as Batteries Plus, often offer free inspections for this type of problem. Furthermore, they may be able to provide a quick and affordable soldering repair if needed.
Before assuming you need to purchase a new 2008 HHR key fob, trying this simple battery contact cleaning method is highly recommended. It’s a cost-effective and time-saving first step that could very well solve your key fob issues. If this fix works for you, please let us know in the comments below!
