Are you having trouble with your 2010 Chevy Hhr Key Fob? Before you rush to the dealership and spend a fortune on a replacement, there’s a simple fix you can try at home that might just save you time and money. Many Chevy HHR owners have encountered issues where their key fob suddenly stops working, leading to unnecessary expenses at dealerships. This guide will walk you through a straightforward repair that addresses a very common problem: corrosion on the battery contacts.
Understanding the Common Key Fob Issue: Battery Contact Corrosion
Often, a seemingly dead key fob isn’t actually broken. The culprit is frequently something as simple as corrosion buildup on the battery contacts inside the fob. This corrosion can impede the flow of power from the battery, preventing your key fob from communicating with your Chevy HHR. You might not even see the corrosion with the naked eye, but it can be enough to stop your key fob from working. Before assuming you need a new key fob or expensive reprogramming, try this easy cleaning method.
Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Your 2010 Chevy HHR Key Fob
This repair is quick, easy, and requires minimal tools. Here’s how to clean the battery contacts in your 2010 Chevy HHR key fob:
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Open the Key Fob: Take a dull knife or a similar tool and gently pry open your key fob. The HHR fob is designed to be opened, although it may require a bit of force due to a waterproof seal around the edge. Don’t worry about breaking it – at this point, a non-working fob isn’t of much use anyway.
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Remove the Battery: Once open, carefully remove the battery from the key fob. Take note of the battery type; it’s likely a CR2032 battery, which is readily available. Consider replacing it with a new battery to rule out a dead battery as the problem. CR2032 batteries are inexpensive and can be found at most drug stores, supermarkets, and battery specialty stores.
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Clean the Battery Contacts: Take a cotton swab (Q-tip) and apply a small amount of lemon juice to one end. Locate the battery contacts inside the key fob – there are typically three: two small prongs and a larger base contact. Gently wipe all of these contact points with the lemon juice-moistened cotton swab. Lemon juice is a mild acid that works effectively to dissolve corrosion.
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Dry the Contacts: Use the dry end of the cotton swab to thoroughly dry all the battery contact points. Ensure no moisture remains before proceeding.
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Replace the Battery and Reassemble: Insert a new CR2032 battery (or your old battery if you want to test first) into the key fob, making sure it’s oriented correctly. Snap the key fob back together until it’s securely closed.
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Test Your Key Fob: Go to your 2010 Chevy HHR and test the key fob to see if it now works. Try locking and unlocking the doors, and if applicable, test the remote start function.
When Cleaning Doesn’t Solve the Problem
If cleaning the battery contacts doesn’t restore your 2010 Chevy HHR key fob to working order, there might be another issue. One common problem, especially with HHR fobs, is that one of the small prongs inside the fob can become unsoldered. If you suspect this, a battery specialty store like Batteries Plus may be able to help. They often offer free key fob inspections and might even be able to quickly resolder a loose prong for a minimal charge, or even for free.
Before spending significant money on a new key fob at a dealership, trying this simple cleaning method is definitely worth your time. You might be surprised at how often this simple fix resolves the issue and gets your 2010 Chevy HHR key fob working again! Let us know in the comments if this trick worked for you!
