Remote Repair - Stuck "Open" Button

showard · 06-08-2008, 12:47 PM

After less than 6 months my remote quit working when the "Open" button stuck down. I took it to the dealer who said it "couldn't be fixed" and sold me a new one for $348. The other one just broke the same way and I decided to take matters into my own hands.
You can't just use it with the switch stuck down because the car won't start with the button pushed (two things going on at once) and it burns the battery in a few hours. I thought to just disable or remove the switch and still use the transpoder part to be able to start the car.
I saw a post with a picture of a disassembled remote but couldn't figure how to crack the case. Read a post indicating it is glued together. Inserted a knife on the "physical key" side and cracked it open just along that side.
Viola! Releasing the pressure slightly did the trick. The switch popped back up and I have a working remote again for $0. I'm trying the same thing on the other one.
I hoped this might help someone else.

richard schumacher · 06-08-2008, 01:06 PM

Thanks!

V8Cobrakid · 06-08-2008, 01:14 PM

my Open button has worn though. I don't even use it! i used smart start and smart entry!... i'm glad mine hasn't gotten stuck yet. thanks for the heads up.. i can't afford another fob at this time in my life.

tmanson · 06-09-2008, 05:13 PM

Why wasn't the remote replacement covered under the warranty?

hiremichaelreid · 06-09-2008, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmanson

Why wasn't the remote replacement covered under the warranty?

Because it's too easy for the dealer to say "User abuse" when a FOB button is broken ?

rfruth · 06-09-2008, 10:45 PM

would an extra FOB (ya get 2 so 3 total) be a good thing to request @ vehicle purchase time ?

wchardin · 06-09-2008, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by showard

I took it to the dealer who said it "couldn't be fixed" and sold me a new one for $348.

And if you need a new one, check ebay. You can get one on there for about 100 bucks and then take it into the dealer to get it programmed.

qbee42 · 06-10-2008, 09:12 AM

But make sure the eBay fob will work with your model of Prius. Some people buy the wrong one.

Tom

hiremichaelreid · 06-10-2008, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfruth

would an extra FOB (ya get 2 so 3 total) be a good thing to request @ vehicle purchase time ?

Two should be fine, unless you expect to lose both of them before you can program a new one.

06-08-2008, 12:47 PM	#1
showard Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: Base Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Remote Repair - Stuck "Open" Button After less than 6 months my remote quit working when the "Open" button stuck down. I took it to the dealer who said it "couldn't be fixed" and sold me a new one for $348. The other one just broke the same way and I decided to take matters into my own hands. You can't just use it with the switch stuck down because the car won't start with the button pushed (two things going on at once) and it burns the battery in a few hours. I thought to just disable or remove the switch and still use the transpoder part to be able to start the car. I saw a post with a picture of a disassembled remote but couldn't figure how to crack the case. Read a post indicating it is glued together. Inserted a knife on the "physical key" side and cracked it open just along that side. Viola! Releasing the pressure slightly did the trick. The switch popped back up and I have a working remote again for $0. I'm trying the same thing on the other one. I hoped this might help someone else.

06-08-2008, 01:06 PM	#2
richard schumacher Destination: Eschaton Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: United States Posts: 5,508 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: #6 Thanks: 99 Thanked 93 Times in 66 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Remote Repair - Stuck "Open" Button Thanks!

06-08-2008, 01:14 PM	#3
V8Cobrakid Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: hell Posts: 2,894 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: #9 Thanks: 9 Thanked 18 Times in 18 Posts Friends: 5	Re: Remote Repair - Stuck "Open" Button my Open button has worn though. I don't even use it! i used smart start and smart entry!... i'm glad mine hasn't gotten stuck yet. thanks for the heads up.. i can't afford another fob at this time in my life.

06-09-2008, 05:13 PM	#4
tmanson Geetar-playin' Traveler Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Frederick, MD Posts: 65 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 1	Re: Remote Repair - Stuck "Open" Button Why wasn't the remote replacement covered under the warranty?

06-09-2008, 10:45 PM	#6
rfruth Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 344 My Car: Other Hybrid Model: N/A Package: N/A Thanks: 22 Thanked 5 Times in 3 Posts Friends: 23	Re: Remote Repair - Stuck "Open" Button would an extra FOB (ya get 2 so 3 total) be a good thing to request @ vehicle purchase time ?

06-10-2008, 09:12 AM	#8
qbee42 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 10,474 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 94 Thanked 387 Times in 289 Posts Friends: 10	Re: Remote Repair - Stuck "Open" Button But make sure the eBay fob will work with your model of Prius. Some people buy the wrong one. Tom

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