Is your 2010 Camaro key fob looking worse for wear? Perhaps the buttons are sticking, the flip mechanism is loose, or the case is simply cracked or damaged. Before you rush to a dealership and spend a fortune on a new key, you should know that replacing just the key fob case on your 2010 Camaro is a straightforward task you can easily do yourself. This guide will walk you through the process of disassembling and reassembling your 2010 Camaro Key Fob Case, allowing you to refresh its appearance and functionality without needing to reprogram a new key or visit a dealership.
Replacing your key fob case is not only a cost-effective solution, saving you potentially hundreds of dollars, but it’s also a great way to maintain the original electronics of your key. Whether your original case is damaged from drops, wear and tear, or just constant fidgeting, swapping out the shell can give your key fob a new lease on life. All you need are a few minutes and a small screwdriver.
Disassembling Your 2010 Camaro Key Fob Case
Before you begin, ensure you have a small flathead screwdriver. Take your time and work in a clean, well-lit area to avoid losing any small parts.
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Remove the Battery Cover and Battery: Begin by flipping out the key blade into the open position. Locate the battery cover on the back of the key fob. Place your thumb in the area where the key blade retracts into and gently pop off the battery cover. Once removed, carefully slide out the battery. It’s a good idea to note the battery orientation for reassembly later.
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Prying Open the Key Fob Shell: With the battery removed, you’ll see a seam running around the edge of the key fob case. This is where you’ll gently pry the case apart. Start on the top side of the key fob, near the keyring loop. Insert the tip of your small flathead screwdriver into the seam and apply gentle pressure to start separating the two halves of the case.
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Separate the Front and Back Faces: Continue prying along the seam, working your way around the key fob. Pay extra attention to the side next to the metal keyring holder. Work slowly and carefully to avoid damaging the plastic. You may find it helpful to hold the plastic part and push against the metal keyring loop to ease the case apart. As the front face separates completely from the back face, be prepared for a slight rotation due to the spring mechanism inside.
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Remove Internal Components: Once the case is open, you can carefully remove the key blade and the internal circuit board chip. These components are simply placed inside the case and can be lifted out without any tools. Take note of the orientation of the chip as you remove it, as it needs to be placed back in the same way during reassembly.
Reassembling Your 2010 Camaro Key Fob Case
Reassembly is mostly the reverse of disassembly, but the spring mechanism requires a specific step to ensure your key flips out correctly.
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Prepare the Key and Chip: If the push button for the flip mechanism came out of the key blade, reinsert it. Place the circuit board chip back into the front face of the key fob case, ensuring it’s facing down in the correct orientation as you noted during disassembly.
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Position the Key and Spring: Put the key blade back into its designated slot in the front case half, ensuring it is in the “out” or open position. Place the spring back into the push button area. It should seat securely into a locked position.
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Attach the Back Face and Wind the Spring: Now, carefully place the back face of the key fob case onto the front face, aligning the two halves. Make sure the small “foot” of the spring is correctly positioned in its housing on the back face.
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Rotate and Snap the Case Closed: Hold the key fob case firmly together as shown in the image below. Rotate the back face in a counterclockwise direction. This action winds the spring, which is essential for the flip mechanism to work. Rotate the back face approximately two full revolutions. Once you have wound the spring, carefully snap the front and back faces of the key fob case completely together. You should hear a click as the case seals. Firm finger pressure should be sufficient to close it securely.
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Reinstall Battery and Battery Cover: Finally, slide the battery back into its compartment in the correct orientation and snap the battery cover back into place.
Finding a Replacement 2010 Camaro Key Fob Case
If your original key fob case is beyond repair or you simply want a fresh start, replacement cases are readily available online. You can find uncut, unprogrammed key fob cases that are perfect for swapping your existing internals. Here are a couple of resources where you can find replacement shells:
- American Key Supply: http://americankeysupply.com/index.p…oducts_id=1282
- Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00…A3GM12XFXQPQFV
For potentially pre-cut keys or more options, you can also contact GM Parts House or explore eBay for used or new key fob cases.
Conclusion
Replacing your 2010 Camaro key fob case is a quick and easy DIY project that can save you significant money and hassle. By following these simple steps, you can refresh your key fob and avoid the unnecessary expense of a new key from the dealership. With a little care and patience, your key fob will be as good as new in just a few minutes, ensuring your keys look and function perfectly for your 2010 Camaro.
