Replacing an old remote key

The best way is to get a new CASE only......either from Ebay or your local locksmith.

 

it's just one board inside the housing. take it apart as if changing the battery and it becomes clear enough.

 

Or if you get one from a locksmith, they will be happy to change it for you.

 

No I'm not positively, absolutely sure.......but I've been in the electronics trade for about 50 years and have yet to see a remote that you can't get the board out of fairly easily. After all, they had to get it IN there in the first place.

The "trick" to removing without breaking anything is not always immediately obvious but having a new one without board in it often helps a lot with understanding how it's put together.

It is possible that there are some little plastic mounting posts that have the tops melted to create a riveting effect but those are not very common.

 

The Gen2 keyfob is glued together so it's more work to take apart than with Gen3. I suggest getting a replacement keyfob off eBay. Take the replacement keyfob apart first (if you fail, at least you haven't destroyed your working keyfob!).

To disassemble a keyfob start by removing the mechanical key, sliding panel, and battery. The panel really does come off if you release the latch and slide it. It's probably stuck, so hit it on something hard, swear at it, whatever it takes.

The two halves of the case can be broken apart by inserting a needle nose pliers into the key slot and spreading it. Just do it enough to crack it open enough to insert a dull blade in the space. Then work the blade around the case until it comes fully apart. The circuit board is just loose fit, but it may have some glue from the case locking it down. Note that there is a small transponder (a 1/8" by 1/8" by 1/2" black electronic chip) separate from the circuit board. The transponder chip is the part that works when you plug the keyfob into the dash. Clean off the glue from the case.

Transfer the old circuit board and transponder from the old case to the new one. Glue the new case back together with a medium strength glue (you may want to take it apart again some time in the future, so don't use a glue that's stronger than the case).

There shouldn't be any problem using a 3 button case with a 2 button circuit board. The board actually is designed for 4 buttons, and they leave out the switches for the unused functions. Likewise, it doesn't matter if the new keyfob has a black or silver logo, as it's the circuit board that determines the function.

If you decide to replace the keyfob with another one, the only practical way is to purchase a new one from a dealer or locksmith. The radio signal used differs between markets, and a 3 button eBay one is not likely to work in the UK. The cases should be compatible, but the circuit board is not.

 

I purchased one of these on Ebay from Australia, replacing the front pad was simple.

Toyota Prius Repair Silicone Key Pad for 3 Button Remote | eBay