Post by centennialman on Jul 12, 2007 19:41:47 GMT -6
I guess I dropped my key fob once too often. It was working, then it wasn't. And, it wasn't the battery. Turned out that about the only parts that can break inside are the 3 solder joints that hold the battery clip to the PCB. One of them had broken; also, there was some weird greasy junk on the button contacts that were preventing it from working properly. Here's what I did; sorry about the picture quality.
CAVEAT: If you don't know how to solder, now is NOT the time to learn. If you determine that a broken solder joint is the problem, take the PCB to a HiFi repair shop. They should be able to easily and cheaply fix it.
1) using a dime or like tool, open the case by carefully twisting the dime in the slot on the side of the case. It will open into 2 halves.
2) Remove the battery
3) Carefully push on the buttons to force the PCB out of the case.
4) Clean the back of the buttons; junk on the surface will prevent a good electrical contact.
5) Check if any of the 3 solder joints holding the battery holder to the PCB are broken.
6)In my case, the upper one in the photo was broken, so I used a small C clamp to gently hold the holder in place; use a piece of cardboard on the back of the PCB to protect it.
7) I used a Weller soldering gun, but you could use any similar small soldering iron. Place the tip of the iron/gun at the top of the battery holder opposite the broken joint and the end of a piece of 'electronics' solder wire on the break. Apply heat to the top of the holder - it will quickly travel to the break and melt the solder. You only need to add a tiny bit of solder; any more and you risk ruining the PBC.
8) As soon as the solder melts, remove the gun and the solder wire. It will cool quickly.
9) Wipe the contacts on the back of the PCB clean
10) Reinsert the battery - + side 'up'.
11) Put the key fob back together.
12) If it doesn't work right away, try holding the lock and unlock buttons down together; these are the instructions inside the case. Worked for me. Saved over $150 from the stealership
CAVEAT: If you don't know how to solder, now is NOT the time to learn. If you determine that a broken solder joint is the problem, take the PCB to a HiFi repair shop. They should be able to easily and cheaply fix it.
1) using a dime or like tool, open the case by carefully twisting the dime in the slot on the side of the case. It will open into 2 halves.
2) Remove the battery
3) Carefully push on the buttons to force the PCB out of the case.
4) Clean the back of the buttons; junk on the surface will prevent a good electrical contact.
5) Check if any of the 3 solder joints holding the battery holder to the PCB are broken.
6)In my case, the upper one in the photo was broken, so I used a small C clamp to gently hold the holder in place; use a piece of cardboard on the back of the PCB to protect it.
7) I used a Weller soldering gun, but you could use any similar small soldering iron. Place the tip of the iron/gun at the top of the battery holder opposite the broken joint and the end of a piece of 'electronics' solder wire on the break. Apply heat to the top of the holder - it will quickly travel to the break and melt the solder. You only need to add a tiny bit of solder; any more and you risk ruining the PBC.
8) As soon as the solder melts, remove the gun and the solder wire. It will cool quickly.
9) Wipe the contacts on the back of the PCB clean
10) Reinsert the battery - + side 'up'.
11) Put the key fob back together.
12) If it doesn't work right away, try holding the lock and unlock buttons down together; these are the instructions inside the case. Worked for me. Saved over $150 from the stealership
