Is your Chevy key fob acting up? Maybe the buttons are sticky, the flip mechanism is loose, or you’re just looking to replace a damaged shell without the hefty dealership price tag. Taking apart your Chevy key fob might seem daunting, but it’s actually a straightforward process you can handle yourself with just a basic tool. This guide will walk you through each step of disassembling your key fob, allowing you to address common issues or prepare it for a shell replacement.
Tools You’ll Need
Before you begin, you’ll only need one essential tool:
- Small Flathead Screwdriver: This will be used to gently pry apart the key fob shell.
Step-by-Step Guide to Disassembling Your Chevy Key Fob
Follow these instructions carefully to safely take apart your Chevy key fob:
Step 1: Remove the Battery Cover
The first step is to remove the battery cover. Extend the key blade to the open position. Locate the small space where the key sits when folded. Place your thumb in this space and gently pop the battery cover off. It should detach with a little pressure. Remove the battery once the cover is off.
Step 2: Pry Open the Key Fob Shell
With the battery removed, it’s time to separate the key fob shell. Locate the top side of the key fob (usually opposite the keyring loop). Insert your small flathead screwdriver into the seam on this top side. Apply gentle pressure to start prying the shell apart. If your key fob is already slightly loose, like the one in the image, this step might be even easier.
Step 3: Separate the Front and Back Faces
Now, move to the backside of the key fob, near the metal keyring holder. Again, use your flathead screwdriver to gently pry along the seam. This time, work a bit slower and more carefully to ease the two halves apart. You might find it helpful to hold onto the plastic part of the fob and push against the metal keyring loop to encourage separation.
As the front face detaches completely from the back face, be aware that it might spin a couple of times due to the spring mechanism inside. This is normal.
Step 4: Remove Key and Chip
Once the shell is open, you can carefully remove the internal components. This typically includes the key blade itself and the electronic chip or circuit board. These parts should now be accessible for inspection, cleaning, or transfer to a new key fob shell.
Reassembling Your Chevy Key Fob
Putting your Chevy key fob back together is generally the reverse of disassembly, but with a key step involving the spring mechanism:
Step 1: Prepare for Reassembly
Before putting the shell back together, ensure the push button for the key is placed back into the key blade if it was separated. Also, place the electronic chip back into the front face of the key fob, ensuring it’s facing down in its designated spot.
Step 2: Reinsert the Key and Spring
Position the key in the “out” or extended position within the front face of the fob. Then, place the spring back into the push button area. It should seat securely into a locked position. The spring is crucial for the flip mechanism to work correctly.
Step 3: Twist and Snap the Key Fob Back Together
Now, carefully place the back face of the key fob onto the front face, aligning it with the spring. Make sure the small “foot” of the spring is correctly positioned in its housing on the back face.
Hold the key fob together and rotate the back face in a counterclockwise direction. This action will wind the spring and create the tension needed to flip the key blade out. Rotate it approximately two full revolutions. After rotating, carefully snap the front and back faces of the key fob together. You should hear a click as they securely fasten. Apply firm finger pressure around the edges to ensure it’s fully closed.
With the key fob reassembled, test the flip mechanism and the buttons to ensure everything is working as expected. Disassembling and reassembling your Chevy key fob can often resolve issues like looseness or button stickiness. If you were aiming to replace the shell, you can now confidently transfer the internal components to your new shell, saving you significant costs compared to dealership replacements.
