Replacing worn key fob

Jim Jamieson · 27th December 2012, 11:32

There's a lot of topics about key fobs at the moment on the forum, some with the quite expensive retractable ones which although are very neat they are not original.
So for those who want to keep them original here's a guide on how to do it for around £5.
I purchased one from the bay and it is a "Valeo" as the original ones were.

After opening up the key fob carefully remove the chip and the PC board with battery. Then remove the key blade from the fob. I managed to pull the old blade out of the plastic fob by simply using pliers.

You will note there is a small piece of plastic on the end of the blade. This is separate from the main fob body and is held into the fob body via a small roll pin as shown below.

To remove the blank blade from the new key fob I heated the blade using a heat gun. A hair drier may also do the same job then pull the blank blade straight out of the new fob.
You will note that with the blade removed from the new fob the hole is the same size as the blade and not like the original fob which had a larger hole to accept the blade and small piece of plastic with roll pin as shown in above photo. The new blade does not have any roll pin and is just moulded into the plastic casing.

I removed this small plastic piece and the roll pin from the end of the original blade.
Then carefully I drilled a small hole on one side of the new fob to allow the original blade to be located inside the new fob then press the roll pin into the new fob and through the hole in the blade as shown below marked inside circle.

On re assembling I found there was a slight difference in the casings where the PC board was mounted as shown below marked out with red rings.

On the new casing (top of photo) the PC board locator is larger than the original one (botom of photo) I simply removed this larger piece using small pliers which then allowed me to re assemble the PC board into the fob.

Job done and I am so pleased I have ordered another 2 new fobs as the other one for the diesel is also slightly worn and in due time I'm sure one on the V6 will require replacing.

JYJ

pab · 27th December 2012, 13:09

Thread copied to the 'How To' Forum.

mamasboy · 27th December 2012, 13:40

Was this the fob Jim?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-Button-R...item3a7c9bf021

Jim Jamieson · 27th December 2012, 15:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by pab

Thread copied to the 'How To' Forum.

Thanks for that Pab.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mamasboy

Was this the fob Jim?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-Button-R...item3a7c9bf021

No but this one is exactly the same and with new batteries plus marginally cheaper.
I don't know how to copy the link from e-Bay but mine was listed as item no 300772888926 if this helps.

JYJ

A Rover? · 29th December 2012, 14:07

In your first picture a small rectangular piece is visible. I am doing my fob as well and wonder what it is for. It comes from the fob part on the left in the same picture and I found it in mine as well.

mikesmith2 · 29th December 2012, 15:20

I just bought new rubber buttons for £6.

Jim Jamieson · 29th December 2012, 18:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by A Rover?

In your first picture a small rectangular piece is visible. I am doing my fob as well and wonder what it is for. It comes from the fob part on the left in the same picture and I found it in mine as well.

That will be the chip for the anti theft system. Car will not start without its presence.

JYJ

A Rover? · 29th December 2012, 18:48

Ah, I see. Never thought of it. Thanks.

marinabrian · 30th December 2012, 13:28

Get one like THIS and save yourself a load of grief

Brian

Brabus · 30th December 2012, 13:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by marinabrian

Get one like THIS and save yourself a load of grief

Brian

Link doesn't seem to be working.Well for me anyway.

27th December 2012, 11:32	#1
Jim Jamieson This is my second home Rover less ! Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Tarbolton Posts: 3,442 Thanks: 393 Thanked 888 Times in 542 Posts	Replacing worn key fob There's a lot of topics about key fobs at the moment on the forum, some with the quite expensive retractable ones which although are very neat they are not original. So for those who want to keep them original here's a guide on how to do it for around £5. I purchased one from the bay and it is a "Valeo" as the original ones were. After opening up the key fob carefully remove the chip and the PC board with battery. Then remove the key blade from the fob. I managed to pull the old blade out of the plastic fob by simply using pliers. You will note there is a small piece of plastic on the end of the blade. This is separate from the main fob body and is held into the fob body via a small roll pin as shown below. To remove the blank blade from the new key fob I heated the blade using a heat gun. A hair drier may also do the same job then pull the blank blade straight out of the new fob. You will note that with the blade removed from the new fob the hole is the same size as the blade and not like the original fob which had a larger hole to accept the blade and small piece of plastic with roll pin as shown in above photo. The new blade does not have any roll pin and is just moulded into the plastic casing. I removed this small plastic piece and the roll pin from the end of the original blade. Then carefully I drilled a small hole on one side of the new fob to allow the original blade to be located inside the new fob then press the roll pin into the new fob and through the hole in the blade as shown below marked inside circle. On re assembling I found there was a slight difference in the casings where the PC board was mounted as shown below marked out with red rings. On the new casing (top of photo) the PC board locator is larger than the original one (botom of photo) I simply removed this larger piece using small pliers which then allowed me to re assemble the PC board into the fob. Job done and I am so pleased I have ordered another 2 new fobs as the other one for the diesel is also slightly worn and in due time I'm sure one on the V6 will require replacing. JYJ

27th December 2012, 13:40	#3
mamasboy RS South East Ford fester... blah.... Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Hastings Posts: 2,900 Thanks: 29 Thanked 78 Times in 42 Posts	Was this the fob Jim? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-Button-R...item3a7c9bf021 __________________ the name's Bernard but you can call me nursie......

30th December 2012, 13:28	#9
marinabrian MG ZT Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne Posts: 20,151 Thanks: 3,565 Thanked 10,837 Times in 5,718 Posts	Get one like THIS and save yourself a load of grief Brian Last edited by marinabrian; 30th December 2012 at 15:13..

27th December 2012, 13:09	#2
pab Banned MG ZT V6 190+ Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Leeds Posts: 33,223 Thanks: 41 Thanked 1,614 Times in 1,416 Posts	Thread copied to the 'How To' Forum.

29th December 2012, 14:07	#5
A Rover? Newbie Rover 75 2.5 Sterling Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Amsterdam NL Posts: 23 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	In your first picture a small rectangular piece is visible. I am doing my fob as well and wonder what it is for. It comes from the fob part on the left in the same picture and I found it in mine as well.

29th December 2012, 15:20	#6
mikesmith2 Loves to post None Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Reading Posts: 466 Thanks: 1 Thanked 15 Times in 15 Posts	I just bought new rubber buttons for £6.

29th December 2012, 18:48	#8
A Rover? Newbie Rover 75 2.5 Sterling Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Amsterdam NL Posts: 23 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Ah, I see. Never thought of it. Thanks.