Key fob issues
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 08-19-2008
Posts: 108
From: Brandon, FL
Key fob issues
Well, both key fobs for my '08 HHR Panel finally crapped out and wouldn't unlock the doors. Seems that all the buttons were getting unreliable except the panic alarm button which is the one I used the least. I contacted the dealer and learned that a new one would cost me $155.oo plus $55.oo to program it!! Talk about robbery without a gun.
So here's what I did. I opened up the fob and cleaned all the contacts with alcohol but that didn't work. Wondering how a rubber button completed an electrical circuit, I figured it must have been impregnated with a metallic coating that may have worn off hence the one I used least was still good. Built to wear out, eh? So I cut a tiny pieces of aluminum foil and glued them over the the problematic little buttons and bang, they all work like a charm. "Whooped 'em again didn't we Josey." FTF I say!
So here's what I did. I opened up the fob and cleaned all the contacts with alcohol but that didn't work. Wondering how a rubber button completed an electrical circuit, I figured it must have been impregnated with a metallic coating that may have worn off hence the one I used least was still good. Built to wear out, eh? So I cut a tiny pieces of aluminum foil and glued them over the the problematic little buttons and bang, they all work like a charm. "Whooped 'em again didn't we Josey." FTF I say!
Always knew there were more uses for tinfoil than making hats to keep out them Guv'mint mind reading rays.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 08-19-2008
Posts: 108
From: Brandon, FL
Deceased
Joined: 06-30-2010
Posts: 25,739
From: Kannapolis NC
Platinum Member
Joined: 04-09-2006
Posts: 7,043
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
or you can purchase the rubber/silicone pad inserts on ebay etc. (which doesn't need any reprogramming), or do it the hard way, like I did, by shaving off the carbon buttons off an old tv remote/calculator and using silicone adhesive to glue them on your old insert.
I'll try the aluminum foil trick one of these days.
I'll try the aluminum foil trick one of these days.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 08-19-2008
Posts: 108
From: Brandon, FL
Yep, could have bought a used one on ebay and hoped it worked.Then would had to program it. Could have tried to find the rubber insert that worked with the electric side doors in my panel. But, seeing as I had the tinfoil from the sandwich I ate the fix didn't cost me a dime!
Senior Member
Joined: 11-05-2010
Posts: 1,492
From: Detroit, Michigan USA
Well, both key fobs for my '08 HHR Panel finally crapped out and wouldn't unlock the doors. Seems that all the buttons were getting unreliable except the panic alarm button which is the one I used the least. I contacted the dealer and learned that a new one would cost me $155.oo plus $55.oo to program it!! Talk about robbery without a gun.
So here's what I did. I opened up the fob and cleaned all the contacts with alcohol but that didn't work. Wondering how a rubber button completed an electrical circuit, I figured it must have been impregnated with a metallic coating that may have worn off hence the one I used least was still good. Built to wear out, eh? So I cut a tiny pieces of aluminum foil and glued them over the the problematic little buttons and bang, they all work like a charm. "Whooped 'em again didn't we Josey." FTF I say!
So here's what I did. I opened up the fob and cleaned all the contacts with alcohol but that didn't work. Wondering how a rubber button completed an electrical circuit, I figured it must have been impregnated with a metallic coating that may have worn off hence the one I used least was still good. Built to wear out, eh? So I cut a tiny pieces of aluminum foil and glued them over the the problematic little buttons and bang, they all work like a charm. "Whooped 'em again didn't we Josey." FTF I say!
I hope you had a great weekend.
Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service
