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Smart Key Fob Housing Replacement

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by baker2gs, May 12, 2011.

  1. baker2gs

    baker2gs Junior Member

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    Has anyone ever had any experience replacing the housing of a smart key fob?

    The button cover on the lock button of my smart key has worn through (it was pretty damaged when I got it, bought a used Prius last year).

    Since I only have 1 key I'm going to get another programmed at the dealership but I'd like to make this one usable. Are there any disassembling instructions anywhere?
     
  2. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

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    Ummm...why do you even bother with the lock button if it is a smart key? Just push the button on the door instead?

    As far as I know, you cannot buy the plastic housing by itself.
     
  3. baker2gs

    baker2gs Junior Member

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    Yeah I do use the button most of the time. I'm more concerned with spilling something on my pants with the key in my pocket and liquid getting in there. I'd feel more comfortable if the entire device was enclosed. Being able to seen the green board is a bit unnerving.

    Also, I wasn't able to find the plastic housing like you said. I was hoping to get a busted one on ebay for cheap and just use that.
     
  4. RobH

    RobH Senior Member

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    You could buy another keyfob and transfer the electronics from the old one to the new one. Get the cheapest keyfob you can find on eBay - it doesn't matter if it's black or silver logo. Good price is about $30, easy to find price about $50.

    To take the keyfob apart, you start the same as for replacing the battery. Remove the mechanical key. The same latch that holds the mechanical key in also holds the sliding panel (with the logo) in place. Remove the sliding panel. Remove the 4 screws holding the battery in place. Remove that panel and the battery. Next split the case with a pair of needle nose pliers inserted into the place where the mechanical key goes. Just spread the pliers in that slot. The glue that holds the two halves together is weaker than the case (well, mine was...). I spread the case just enough to insert a dull blade in the opening, and worked it all the way around.

    Inside the case is a circuit board and a transponder. The transponder is a small black chip about 1/2" long by 1/8" square. It is set into the half of the case that holds the battery, at the lock button end of the case. Remove both the transponder and the electronics. They are just press fit into the case, maybe with some glue spilled over from the case seal. A sharp knife or miniature screwdriver may be necessary to pry them out.

    On the case that you're going to use, dig out the old glue.

    Transfer the electronics and transponder chip from your old remote to the used one you just got. Reassemble the case, using a glue that seems strong enough to hold it. I used ordinary white glue, and it held for a while, but then came loose. Don't use any instant set or strong glue if you ever want to take it apart again.

    You can program the car to accept the transponder part of a used remote with the procedure at the start of http://priuschat.com/forums/knowled...lly-how-program-non-sks-key-fob-detailed.html Then just keep that remote as a plug-in-the-dash emergency key.
     
    Nightwalker.lx and baker2gs like this.
  5. baker2gs

    baker2gs Junior Member

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    RobH, this is exactly what I was looking for! I'm going to give this a try, thank you so much.

     
  6. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

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    Get another smart key programmed before you do it. If you break your only smart key, then you are looking at significant extra charges for programming.
     
    ITBland likes this.
  7. baker2gs

    baker2gs Junior Member

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    Oh yea, that's first on my list, then repairing this one.

     
  8. Nightwalker.lx

    Nightwalker.lx New Member

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    Hi RobH, Thank you for these information, I was looking for these tutorial, I did it that simple, and working great :)
     
  9. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    I have much the same problem, and have been doing a lot of searching. The link below seems to be the answer. although it will not hold the metal key, this can easily be put on the same key ring. There are two fobs that should work, one two button (part number KPB582) and the three button (KPB583). I emailed the manufacturer requesting the sizes as they are a bit short on information, but the sizes do match the Prius fobs. The prices are very reasonable bearing in mind this is just the case to fit your own circuit board. The fob cases in question are just over half way down the page.

    www.keyprof.com/en.Product-Behuizing-Lijst.php?page=Toyota&utm_source

    John (Britprius)
     
  10. RobH

    RobH Senior Member

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    There doesn't seem to be any space in these for the transponder. The transponder is the part of the fob that works in the keyslot.
     
  11. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    The transponder is on the printed circuit board.

    John (Britprius)
     
  12. RobH

    RobH Senior Member

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    The transponder on US Gen2 keyfobs is a separate chip, unattached to the circuit board. Gen3 doesn't have a separate chip.
     
  13. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    This may be a difference in UK/EU fobs and the US version. I have just dismantled my own UK fob and it is marked EU version on the print with the chip attached to the print. This is possibly due to the fact that we do not get the SKS system here on the gen2 making more room on the print.

    John (Britprius)
     
  14. Easy Rider

    Easy Rider Active Member

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    Anyone who is looking for just the CASE for a FOB should contact a local locksmith or two.
    I was amazed at the number of different cases some of them handle......and at a fairly reasonable price too.
     
  15. CrazyLee

    CrazyLee Member

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    #15 CrazyLee, Feb 13, 2015
    Last edited: Feb 13, 2015
  16. eco-redhead

    eco-redhead Junior Member

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    Thanks, RobH, for the disassembly instructions.

    There is a case on eBay that is a perfect fit for the electronic innards of the Gen2 (2006) 3-button Smart Key fob, for about $20. It has the red button, like the original fob.

    Search "NEW Smart Remote Key Fob Case 2+1 Button for Toyota Prius + Uncut Insert key"

    The front and back of the case snap together, with no glue required for reassembly. Note, however, the back of case is all black, with no silver logo. It comes from China, but arrived in less than 2 weeks, with no issues.
     
  17. Delane

    Delane Junior Member

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  18. lpr9

    lpr9 Junior Member

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    I purchased a similar case off Ebay.

    The only concern that I have with it is that the red LED is exposed.
    There is an opening in these to the right of the lock button (assuming the lock button is up.)
    In the OEM FOBs this is clear plastic instead of a hole, so it looks like it would withstand a quick dip in the pool.

    Perhaps a clear glue/epoxy/polyurethane will seal it before I glue it closed.
    Or one of the silicon covers will be enough.
    Anything is better than the gaping hole that I had before.

    I thought that I could just use my existing back plate to keep the silver toyota symbol, but it was slightly different.
    I could force the OEM one on, but thought it my be difficult to get it off for battery replacement.
     
  19. Southpaw1969

    Southpaw1969 New Member

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    I purchased a new smart key shell on eBay for under $20, that came with a new backup key blank.

    I decided to use my old fob sliding door with the silver logo because I liked the look of it better than the plain plastic all black door that came with it. Parts are interchangeable and it fit perfectly. I also have the old key in there until I go to a locksmith to get the new one cut.

    Check it out-


    [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
  20. harshfie

    harshfie Junior Member

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    Since my keyfob buttons were in bad shape, I bought a NEW keyfob case via eBay with no circuit board and no transponder chip. It included a new and uncut key which I did not need. I followed the instructions from RobH and everything worked wonderfully! Since it was new, I had no need to use glue. The new fob just snaps together. I moved the circuit board and transponder chip and now everything is working great. Total cost under $17 including shipping. Thanks RobH.