Experiencing issues with your 2016 Chevy Silverado key fob can be frustrating. While key fob programming is sometimes necessary, especially after battery replacements or if you add a new key, often problems arise from unexpected sources. This article delves into a real-world experience of troubleshooting a malfunctioning Silverado key fob and offers a potential DIY fix that might save you a trip to the dealership.
Many owners of 2016 Chevy Silverados, and similar models, might encounter situations where their key fobs behave erratically. Common symptoms can include doors automatically unlocking after you’ve locked them with the fob, or even random unlocking while driving. These issues can be intermittent and puzzling, leading many to suspect complex electronic problems or the need for reprogramming.
One Silverado owner encountered precisely these symptoms on their 2017 model. Initially, isolating the key fob seemed to resolve the issue, suggesting a problem with the fob itself rather than the vehicle’s receiver. However, when the problems resurfaced with a second fob, a deeper investigation was warranted.
Upon carefully opening the key fob case, a surprising discovery was made: a gel-like substance was present on the circuit board and the inside of the casing. This substance appeared to be conductive and was suspected to be the root cause of the key fob malfunctions.
Image: Opened Chevy Silverado key fob showing areas marked in red where a gel-like substance was found on the circuit board.
The owner meticulously cleaned the gel from the circuit board and the fob casing using a paper towel. After reassembling the key fob, initial tests indicated a successful fix. The erratic unlocking behavior ceased, suggesting that the conductive gel was indeed interfering with the fob’s operation.
While the exact nature of this gel substance remains somewhat unclear – the owner speculated it might be battery leakage, though not typical battery corrosion – the experience highlights a simple yet effective troubleshooting step. If you are experiencing similar key fob issues with your 2016 Chevy Silverado, carefully inspecting and cleaning the circuit board for any unusual substances could be a worthwhile first step before considering more complex solutions like key fob programming or replacement.
It’s important to note that this is a single anecdotal experience, and other issues might require different solutions, including professional key fob programming if the issue is related to the fob’s pairing with the vehicle. However, for those facing unexplained key fob malfunctions, this DIY cleaning method offers a potential quick and cost-free fix to try. If the problem persists, consulting a qualified automotive technician is always recommended to diagnose and resolve the issue definitively.
