Experiencing issues with your Chevy Silverado key fob can be frustrating. If your key fob is behaving erratically, such as locking and immediately unlocking your doors, or randomly unlocking while driving, a simple internal cleaning might be the solution. This guide will show you how to open your Chevy Silverado key fob and address a common problem caused by a conductive gel substance that can accumulate inside.
Identifying Key Fob Issues
Before you consider opening your key fob, recognize the symptoms of this common problem. Owners of Chevy Silverados, particularly models around 2017, may experience their key fobs exhibiting strange behavior. This includes the doors unlocking immediately after locking, or spontaneous unlocking while the vehicle is in use or in retained accessory power mode. These issues often point to internal interference within the key fob itself.
Opening Your Chevy Silverado Key Fob
Opening your Chevy Silverado key fob is a straightforward process that can be done without causing damage. Gently pry open the case of your key fob. You might be surprised at how easily it separates. This will give you access to the internal components and the circuit board.
Cleaning the Key Fob Internals
Once opened, carefully inspect the circuit board and the inside of the key fob casing. You might observe a clear, gel-like substance in certain areas. This gel can be conductive and is often the culprit behind the key fob malfunctions. Using a paper towel, gently clean this substance from the circuit board and the casing. Ensure all visible gel is removed.
This gel substance is suspected to be leakage from the key fob battery, although it doesn’t present as typical battery corrosion. Regardless of its origin, removing it can restore your key fob’s functionality.
Reassembling Your Key Fob
After cleaning, carefully reassemble the key fob case. Ensure it snaps back together securely.
Testing Your Key Fob
With the key fob reassembled, test its functionality. Lock and unlock your doors, and check for any recurrence of the previous erratic behavior. Initial tests often indicate that cleaning the conductive gel is a successful fix.
If this cleaning process resolves your Chevy Silverado key fob issues, monitor it over the following days and weeks to ensure the problem does not return. This simple maintenance can save you the cost and inconvenience of replacing your key fob.
