Experiencing problems with your 2014 Chevy Key Fob? Many Chevy owners have encountered frustrating issues with their key fobs, and this guide shares a simple, do-it-yourself fix that might save you a trip to the dealership. If you’re noticing your key fob behaving erratically, like doors immediately unlocking after you lock them, or randomly unlocking while driving, you’re not alone. One Chevy owner discovered a peculiar culprit behind these common key fob malfunctions and found a straightforward solution.
The Initial Problem: Intermittent Key Fob Issues
The owner of a 2017 Chevy Silverado started noticing some strange behavior with their key fobs a few years after purchasing the vehicle. The symptoms were twofold and quite perplexing: first, when attempting to lock the doors using the key fob, the doors would lock and then immediately unlock. Second, the doors would sometimes unlock randomly while driving or when the vehicle was in retained accessory power mode. These intermittent issues were not only inconvenient but also raised security concerns.
Troubleshooting and Isolation
To diagnose the problem, the Chevy owner employed a process of elimination. Suspecting radio interference or some external factor, they began troubleshooting by isolating the key fobs. They discovered that when the key fob was taken out of range of the truck, the issues ceased. This observation strongly suggested that the problem was indeed originating from one of the key fobs themselves. Initially, the owner suspected a faulty key fob and started using their second fob, storing the potentially problematic one inside their house, far from the vehicle.
The Discovery: Gel-like Substance Inside
Fast forward to a week when the same perplexing symptoms resurfaced, even with the second key fob. This prompted a more in-depth investigation. Deciding to examine the internal components of the key fob, the owner carefully pried open the fob case. Upon opening it, they noticed a clear, gel-like substance present on certain areas of the circuit board and the inside of the key fob casing. This unexpected discovery became the key to solving the mystery.
DIY Repair: Cleaning the Circuit Board
Reasoning that this gel might be conductive and interfering with the key fob’s circuitry, the owner decided to clean it. Using a simple paper towel, they gently cleaned the gel substance from the circuit board and the inside of the fob casing. After thoroughly cleaning all visible gel residue, they reassembled the key fob. To their surprise, initial testing after reassembly indicated that this simple cleaning had resolved the issue.
The image highlights the areas marked in red where the gel substance was found within the key fob. While the exact nature of this gel remains uncertain, with speculation pointing towards potential battery leakage, cleaning it proved to be an effective DIY fix in this instance. It’s important to note that this might not be the solution for every 2014 Chevy key fob problem, but it’s a worthwhile first step to investigate, especially if you observe similar symptoms.
Monitoring Long-Term Success
The Chevy owner planned to continue using the cleaned key fob and monitor its performance over the following week to determine if this fix was a permanent solution. This real-world experience provides valuable insight for anyone experiencing similar issues with their 2014 Chevy key fob or other similar models. Before considering more complex or costly solutions, taking a moment to inspect and clean your key fob’s internal components might just resolve the problem and get your key fob working reliably again.
