LR3 Key Fob

[jhawk]

I need to replace one of my key fob cases. They are all over Ebay and Amazon. I have no idea the quality of any of them. Can someone who has done this successfully let me know who you got your case from?

Thanks,
Jim

 

[nwoods]

I got mine from the dealer. $300, PLUS a reprogramming fee. Was shipped special order from England. Had to have both keys present, and they had to hook up the Testbook computer to do the programming. I watched them do it.

For that reason, I'd be a bit unsure about an EBay key.

 

[Ray_G]

I ordered one off Amazon that was supposed to work but ended up being un-programmable. In the end I ended up at the dealership, paying $300...plus the programming fee. Rather annoying and one of the things I don't like about the truck but since I only had to do it at the beginning (knock on wood) the pain and frustration has faded.

 

[JackW]

I got a replacement case from Keytown2015 on Ebay for $13.99 - its very nice and he sends a detailed set of instructions on how to swap your circuit board over to the new case.
It took about an hour to make the change. The case looks just like the factory stock one (and a lot better than the one I swapped out).

 

[DiscoNels]

I bought 2 key fob cases on ebay and successfully swapped out the internals with a new battery (don't just replace the case w/o replacing the battery since you've got it open already, they seem to last only 5 to 7 years).

 

[Fivespddisco]

Please take me to school.
I though the keys battery could not be replace. They charge when thy are in the truck is what I was told.

 

[pugslyyy]

Please take me to school.
I though the keys battery could not be replace. They charge when thy are in the truck is what I was told.

They do charge when they are in the truck, but like all rechargeable batteries they don't last forever.

I've replaced a number of the batteries. I agree that if you are going to put a new case on it is worth it to go ahead and swap the battery - if you put a new case on and then 6 months later have to destroy it to swap the battery you'll be kicking yourself.

Swapping the battery isn't difficult, but you do need to be able to wield a soldering iron. You have to desolder the old one, and solder in the new one.

This isn't my video (I do a little differently), but illustrates the general concept.

 

[Fivespddisco]

They do charge when they are in the truck, but like all rechargeable batteries they don't last forever.

I've replaced a number of the batteries. I agree that if you are going to put a new case on it is worth it to go ahead and swap the battery - if you put a new case on and then 6 months later have to destroy it to swap the battery you'll be kicking yourself.

Swapping the battery isn't difficult, but you do need to be able to wield a soldering iron. You have to desolder the old one, and solder in the new one.



This isn't my video (I do a little differently), but illustrates the general concept.

Thank you for posting that up.

 

[pugslyyy]

Thank you for posting that up.

No problem. It's finicky but not complex to extract the PCB from the case without damaging it. (You need to slice the case open carefully). I think we usually charge an hour of labor for disassembly/battery swap/reassembly, plus whatever the case and battery cost - so you get a key fob that looks and functions as new for half of what it would cost for a new one, and without the programming charge.

Of course, if you do it yourself, the cost is a case + battery for around $30 on ebay.

 

[Derel1cte]

I've replaced both my fob cases and the batteries. The cases I bought were these: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IPAAZI4

You should replace the battery as shown in the video as long as you have the case open: http://www.ebay.com/itm/121402413586

So total spend is about $26 per key to get them brand new looking. My Key after refurb: