Is your 2012 Chevy Cruze key fob malfunctioning due to broken or unresponsive buttons? Don’t worry, replacing them is a straightforward process you can handle yourself. This guide will walk you through replacing your Chevy Cruze key fob buttons, saving you time and money compared to dealership repairs. As long as the key blade is intact, this tutorial will help you fix various types of key fob damage. Please note: you’ll need a working key to complete this procedure. If you only have one key, see the special note at the end of this guide.
Tools You’ll Need
For this repair, you’ll only require a couple of simple tools:
- Small Hammer
- 1/16″ Punch
While a gunsmithing punch set is ideal, any small hammer and 1/16″ punch will work. A 1/16″ punch can be readily found online.
Parts Required
To replace your broken key fob buttons, you’ll need a replacement key fob shell. Make sure to order the correct one for your vehicle:
- Replacement 4-button OEM Cruze Key: (Check availability on Amazon.com)
- Replacement 5-button OEM Cruze Key: (Check availability on Amazon.com)
It’s crucial to use an OEM key for reliable functionality. Aftermarket keys might not be compatible. You won’t need to get the blade on the new OEM key cut, as we will be transferring your existing key blade.
Step-by-Step Key Fob Button Replacement Procedure
This procedure addresses common issues like cracked casings or damaged buttons on your 2012 Chevy Cruze key fob. Let’s get started:
My Chevy Cruze key had a crack right where the metal key blade connects to the swing mechanism. This is a common point of failure, but the button replacement process is the same regardless of the specific damage to your key fob.
Ensure you have your replacement OEM key ready. You’ll notice the new key fob shell comes without a cut key blade, which is exactly what we need.
Place your damaged key on a firm surface. Using the 1/16″ punch and hammer, carefully tap out the small retaining pin that secures the key blade to the key fob. Be gentle but firm.
Repeat this process for the new replacement key fob. You might find that the pin in the new key is tighter. Rest the edge of the key on a hard surface for better leverage and continue tapping with the punch until the pin is removed.
Now, take your original key blade from the old, damaged fob and insert it into the new key fob shell. Align the holes and push the retaining pin back in to secure the blade. Often, you can do this just with the hammer, without needing the punch again.
Programming Your New Key Fob
Programming the new key fob to your 2012 Chevy Cruze is surprisingly simple and only takes a couple of steps:
- Start your Chevy Cruze using your existing, spare key and let the engine run for a few seconds.
- Turn off the ignition and remove the spare key. Within 5 seconds of turning the car off, insert the newly assembled key (with the new fob and your original blade) and start the car.
Turn off your car again and test the buttons on your new key fob to ensure they are working correctly. In most cases, the key fob buttons, including lock, unlock, trunk, and panic buttons, will be immediately functional.
Special Note for Single Key Owners
If you only have one key for your 2012 Chevy Cruze and don’t have a spare to start your car, you can still perform this key fob button replacement. Here’s how:
First, remove the retaining pin from your old key fob and detach the blade as described earlier. Now, insert just the metal blade of your original key into the ignition and leave the key fob detached. Next, press the “open” button on both your old and new key fobs to extend the swing mechanism. Use the old key fob (without the blade) to start your car. Once started, turn off the engine. Quickly remove the old key fob from the key blade still in the ignition. Immediately attach the new key fob shell to the key blade that’s in the ignition and start the car again.
If the key blade is stuck in the ignition after this, use pliers to carefully remove it. Finally, assemble your original blade into the new key fob shell and secure it with the retaining pin as explained in the procedure above.
By following these steps, you can easily replace your 2012 Chevy Cruze Key Fob Buttons and restore full functionality to your car key, ensuring you can lock, unlock, and remotely start your vehicle with ease.
