Keyfob cold solder repair
03-25-2009, 07:33 AM
#1
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Thread Starter
Join Date: 06-02-2008
Location: Fairport Harbor, OH
Posts: 2,358
Keyfob cold solder repair
My wife's keyfob wasn't working so I figured I change the battery. Step one is to pry the clam shell apart.
And much to my surprise (NOT) the battery holder was suffering from the often reported bad solder connections.
OK, fire up the soldering iron.
There are three solder points to repair. The center one is surface mount, and the two outer ones have feed-through holes. Make sure to fully seat the battery holder down in them.
After repairing my wife's keyfob, I decided to check mine. Unbelievable lack of quality control on these things. While the electrical connection had not (yet) broken, the battery clip wasn't even level with the PCB. GM should really be ashamed of themselves for this part.
And much to my surprise (NOT) the battery holder was suffering from the often reported bad solder connections.
OK, fire up the soldering iron.
There are three solder points to repair. The center one is surface mount, and the two outer ones have feed-through holes. Make sure to fully seat the battery holder down in them.
After repairing my wife's keyfob, I decided to check mine. Unbelievable lack of quality control on these things. While the electrical connection had not (yet) broken, the battery clip wasn't even level with the PCB. GM should really be ashamed of themselves for this part.
03-25-2009, 07:40 AM
#2
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Join Date: 10-24-2006
Location: The Show-Me State
Posts: 1,761
GM doesn't make this part, they buy them from a supplier. Crack open fobs from other manufacturers and they'll be much the same. You could have just taken it back to the dealer and they would have given you a new fob, just like every other manufacturer.
great pics
03-25-2009, 08:07 AM
#5
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Join Date: 06-02-2008
Location: Fairport Harbor, OH
Posts: 2,358
03-26-2009, 09:16 AM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: 10-30-2007
Location: OHIO
Posts: 324
same thing happened to my fob, but the board was cracked. $65 for a new fob and $30 to program it. i only paid the programing cause my samesman is awesome and gave me the fob for free.
if my new does this ill be solderng it.
if my new does this ill be solderng it.
03-27-2009, 02:15 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: 12-24-2008
Location: N/A
Posts: 717
I also liked the post.
Not all of us have easy access to the dealer. My dealer is 5 hours away and my ability to do simple repairs is paramount to both my life's enjoyment and time. Warranty is not the deciding factor to me - time, convenience and money is. Good Jeff!
I do agree with the general statement about the poor construction of FOBs. I have had solder connection problems with whatever vehicle/alarm FOB I have had.
Not all of us have easy access to the dealer. My dealer is 5 hours away and my ability to do simple repairs is paramount to both my life's enjoyment and time. Warranty is not the deciding factor to me - time, convenience and money is. Good Jeff!
I do agree with the general statement about the poor construction of FOBs. I have had solder connection problems with whatever vehicle/alarm FOB I have had.
03-31-2009, 10:52 AM
#8
Join Date: 03-30-2009
Location: California
Posts: 3
Key fob
I found the same problem and fixed it myself also. Just about bought a new one, thankfully I didn't. So many of these problems are poor quality control. Now I'm having a squeal in the fan motor under the dash. Has any one gotten in to that?
