Dealing with a broken key fob for your 2011 Kia Soul can be frustrating, especially when faced with dealership repair costs. This article explores a cost-effective DIY approach to replacing your key fob and delves into the possibility of reprogramming a used key fob, offering practical advice for Kia Soul owners.
The Broken Key Fob Case – The Initial Problem
Like many car owners, I encountered the common issue of a cracked key fob case. The original case for my 2011 Kia Soul key fob had seen better days and was falling apart. Instead of rushing to the dealership and facing potentially high charges for a complete key fob replacement, I decided to explore a do-it-yourself solution.
DIY Replacement – Parts and Process
My approach involved purchasing a replacement key fob case online. The process was surprisingly straightforward. I carefully opened both the new and the old key fob cases. The crucial steps were swapping the physical key blade and the internal chip from the old case to the new one.
While the internal design of the new case was slightly different, it didn’t pose a significant problem. The chip, although not snapping perfectly into place as it did in the original case, was securely held once the case was closed. There have been no functional issues since the swap.
One minor hurdle was the button that releases the key blade. For some reason, the new button didn’t fit into the old key. Upon close inspection, the buttons appeared identical, but compatibility was an issue. Ultimately, I reused the original, slightly worn button, which worked perfectly.
To complete the fix, I plan to get the new, uncut key blade copied. This extra key will be stashed in a hide-a-key box as a backup.
Cost Savings vs. Dealership
The entire DIY repair cost was around $10 for the replacement case. Adding the cost of getting two extra keys made and a hide-a-key box, the total came to approximately $25. This is a significant saving compared to the dealership quote of $250 or more for a replacement key fob. This DIY method offers substantial financial benefits for 2011 Kia Soul owners facing key fob issues.
Reprogramming a Used Key Fob – Is It Possible?
During this process, a question arose: Is it possible to reprogram a used key fob from another Kia Soul to work with my car? I’ve seen second-hand key fobs available for around $30-$40. If reprogramming is feasible, purchasing and reprogramming a used fob could be another cost-saving option for a spare key.
Interestingly, when I contacted my local Kia dealership to inquire about reprogramming a used key fob, the response was less than helpful. Despite two calls, they couldn’t provide a definitive answer, promising to investigate and call back, which they never did.
Dealership Experience – A Word of Caution
This lack of helpfulness unfortunately mirrors a previous negative experience with the same dealership. They once misdiagnosed a suspension issue, attempting to charge $500 for wheel bearing replacement when the actual problem was a faulty trailing arm bushing. Such experiences highlight the value of DIY car maintenance and seeking second opinions.
Conclusion
Repairing a 2011 Kia Soul key fob case is a straightforward and affordable DIY project. Exploring the possibility of reprogramming a used key fob could offer further cost savings for obtaining a spare. While dealerships can be a resource, this experience underscores the benefits of understanding basic car maintenance and considering DIY solutions, especially for common issues like key fob replacements.
