Well Crap, now what? (Broken Fob - '99)

[nckwltn]

So this just happened today, it still works fine, just doesn't stay attached to my key ring..... anyone have any suggestions for a fix?


I noticed that inside, the PCB has a hole in it... I could drill through the fob case, and string something through that hole to attach it to my key ring...

I'm also thinking about using some kind of epoxy to rebuild the bridge that goes into the key ring.....

OHhh... would be great if I could just order another housing.... or heck, even 3d print another one!

 

[eurosonic]

Don't frown my friend. Drill a hole on a bottom right corner and slide a ring through it. Will be better than ever.

 

[lordtrunks]

those are made by a company called code alarm i believe dei owns them now but they were very popular alarms in the 90's for oem's. Find a alarm shop near you and they should be able to order you one and scratch code it for you. At my old show we always kept them in stock because they little ring always breaks or the buttons just wear out some we could repair others not so we'd sell them new. If you walk into a shop and they don't know what it is turn around and walk out.

 

[Toasty]

Auto parts stores carry a kind of case for them that goes around the outside and has a new key loop on it. Help section at AutoZone or up on the counter with other gizmos.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

In addition to the suggestions made you can also buy them on ebay.

 

[off-roader]

Oh man, you're screwed. The rig will be useless without that key fob. Tell you what, let me take that massive problem off your hands. I'll be happy to buy it off of you for cheap! :ylsmoke:

What the guys have said, buy a replacement via ebay or repair the one you have and you'll be set.

 

[Mudrunner]

Yeah I needed to buy the rubber part for my wife's fob for her 08 G6, spent 10 bucks total for part and shipping. Case and new rubber pad for buttons. No guts just the case. Worth it imo.

 

[dms1]

That happened to my keyfob, I filled in that area with JB Weld, Sanded it to look like it belonged, drilled a new hole and painted it black - Been over 2 years and it still works fine. When I filled in the broken area with JB weld, I separated the cases and did each part separately, when the JB Weld hardened, I put the two parts together and sanded them down.

 

[nckwltn]

I ended up doing a repair with JB Weld.

I took two pieces of plastic food wrap, held them taught, and then closed the Fob back up with the plastic wrap sandwiched between them. This allowed me to liberally apply JB weld to both halves without having to worry about getting it where I didn't want it to go.

Then I could fold the wrap back over the JB weld to help hold it in place.

I had a few low spots after the first application of JB, so I did a second application to each half individually. After it dried, I used sand paper and a razor knife to bring things back into shape.

Then I hastily spray painted and got some runs, which are now kind of visible. I added a small key ring so that the main key ring for my other keys wasn't going through the Fob anymore, and I'm done! I should have taken more time painting, and if I was a real pro, I would have used higher grit than 80 for my sanding.

It seems to be holding up well, but I've got a feeling that over time, the JB weld will wear away just as the plastic did. because I was so easily able to shape it with a razor knife, and sand paper... I give it another 5-7 years before I have to do the process again.

it isn't perfect, but I'm happy how it came out.