Libertas
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2016
- Threads
- 13
- Messages
- 86
- Reaction score
- 29
- Location
- Westchester, NY
- Vehicle(s)
- '16 GT Vert Premium Every Option but Auto Trans
- Thread starter
- #1
The idea:
The key fob is huge and I really don't need the buttons. I can start the car and lock/unlock the doors and open the trunk - all without using the buttons. If you want the buttons, feel free to stop reading, this isn't for you.
I want a key fob small enough to fit in my wallet so I can just forget I even have it.
First steps:
I purchased an extra third key on eBay for about $50. http://www.ebay.com/itm/331853048343 I then used the programming procedure in the manual (page 60ish) to program the third key. (You have to hold the start button in the very last step for a couple of seconds - the manual doesn't say this, but it was the only way it worked for me.)
I then disassembled the new key down to the circuit board. There are two batteries in the key, but I immediately discovered only one was necessary.
The huge plastic case provides the connection from the top (positive) side of the battery to the circuit board and those four fingered spring things provide the bottom (negative) connection. So, I used an inch of old speaker wire and some black electrical tape to connect the wire to the positive side of the battery and to the rectangular part of the board to complete the circuit. I wrapped it all in copious amounts of electrical tape and - sure enough - it worked!
The problem:
The buttons still are operational and if this is in my wallet, I will constantly be hitting the buttons. My solution is to find some appropriately sized nylon washers to place around the buttons (circled below in red) so they can't be pushed.
Next Steps:
1) find correctly sized nylon washers (or - more daring - just pull the buttons off of the circuit board - can this be done without breaking passive functionality)
2) experiment with thinner battery (battery is the fat point)
3) find someone who knows something about circuit boards (I know nothing) to tell me which parts can just be cut off to make this smaller.
Stay tuned. . .
The key fob is huge and I really don't need the buttons. I can start the car and lock/unlock the doors and open the trunk - all without using the buttons. If you want the buttons, feel free to stop reading, this isn't for you.
I want a key fob small enough to fit in my wallet so I can just forget I even have it.
First steps:
I purchased an extra third key on eBay for about $50. http://www.ebay.com/itm/331853048343 I then used the programming procedure in the manual (page 60ish) to program the third key. (You have to hold the start button in the very last step for a couple of seconds - the manual doesn't say this, but it was the only way it worked for me.)
I then disassembled the new key down to the circuit board. There are two batteries in the key, but I immediately discovered only one was necessary.
The huge plastic case provides the connection from the top (positive) side of the battery to the circuit board and those four fingered spring things provide the bottom (negative) connection. So, I used an inch of old speaker wire and some black electrical tape to connect the wire to the positive side of the battery and to the rectangular part of the board to complete the circuit. I wrapped it all in copious amounts of electrical tape and - sure enough - it worked!
The problem:
The buttons still are operational and if this is in my wallet, I will constantly be hitting the buttons. My solution is to find some appropriately sized nylon washers to place around the buttons (circled below in red) so they can't be pushed.
Next Steps:
1) find correctly sized nylon washers (or - more daring - just pull the buttons off of the circuit board - can this be done without breaking passive functionality)
2) experiment with thinner battery (battery is the fat point)
3) find someone who knows something about circuit boards (I know nothing) to tell me which parts can just be cut off to make this smaller.
Stay tuned. . .
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