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There hasnt been any posts about key fobs in awhile but mine is starting to get beat up and the buttons look horrible without the chrome coating.
I decided to mess with the fob and took it apart and realized the buttons can be taken off. I did some research online and found some key fob shells that came with everything including buttons but no electronics. So I am going to make my key fob look like new without the hassle of reprogramming or spending a lot on another fob. Hope this helps anyone else looking to keep their TL and related things looking new.
I did something similar to mine recently. I just got free brand new key from the dealer I used to work at (it had been cut to a car by mistake) and swapped over all the external bits and the key blade. I actually have a few more spares.
Be careful with the screws, if you strip them you're screwed they have loctite on them. Another tip is to paint the buttons with clear nail polish to prevent the black from rubbing off eventually (again in my case)
Nice. I'd love a new fob. I thought there was some lame process to switch over 04-06 fobs to the new flip out kind... Still true right?
Yup. Have to get the key milled down to the size of a regular key blank, then cut and program as normal.
There is a guy on ebay who does it for less than heeltoe. i used him once or twice, and if u send one of your keys he can duplicate it so no need to program or cut at the dealer.
Nice. I'd love a new fob. I thought there was some lame process to switch over 04-06 fobs to the new flip out kind... Still true right?
Yeah. There's 2 methods of DIY though. I used the complicated one (split in half) and now I regret it. Im probably going to redo another key eventually using the second method (much simpler, just 2 cuts) at some point. Key is sticking out now, common problem for many of the DIY and even the official fob I hear.
There is a guy on ebay who does it for less than heeltoe. i used him once or twice, and if u send one of your keys he can duplicate it so no need to program or cut at the dealer.
You know the name of the eBay seller by anychance?
For the 2004-2006 crowd, I did this same thing with worn silver remotes and converted to black. Definitely a good $5 purchase, although I kinda miss the Acura logo on the back of the remote....
Yup. Have to get the key milled down to the size of a regular key blank, then cut and program as normal.
There is a guy on ebay who does it for less than heeltoe. i used him once or twice, and if u send one of your keys he can duplicate it so no need to program or cut at the dealer.
Great if you don't mind dealing with someone who talks some smack on someone they never dealt with. We did a trial order with them incognito and they weren't very nice about us, and I would not call the shipping "expedited." Don't trust sales tactics that involve undercutting and spreading bad mojo.
Meanwhile, we've been doing the cutting longer than anyone and to this day, after hundreds (LITERALLY) of keys shipped, have an impeccable record.
PS, we cut and chip-swap as well. We actually reduced our prices earlier this year on services and added free shipping.
Ebay price, $124 plus $9 for shipping, plus $15 for chip swap: $148
Heeltoe price, $139, free shipping, $20 for cutting and swapping, minus AZ discount: $153 (supporting AZ vendor and having our peace-of-mind guarantee...yours free).
thanks for chiming in! If I had known the price difference was so negligible when I ordered mine a few years back, i definitely would have gone to you.
So the keyfob shell finally arrived today!! I would say the quality is just as good as OEM. However, the only issues were the panic button wasnt the same and would not work and it comes with Honda emblums to stick on the back.
Everything that came in the package
Notice the holes for the attachement of the Honda emblem
My other keyfob that doesnt get used. I could not get the screws out of this one in order to repair the key sticking out of the other keyfob, so I was not able to fix that part. My old keyfob, I was able to get all the screws out, figures!!
Orginal keyfob to be refurbished, notice the key sticking out. Thats the thing I couldnt fix. Oh well, not that big a deal.
Difference in color from the OEM not used keyfob to the new shell. The OEM has a more chrome apperance and the new one has a more metal look.
Panic buttons are different. New ones are flat and therefore would not stick up enough to be used, I just switched mine out from my not used keyfob.
I replaced this metal part, taking the one out of the new keyfob key, however it did not fix the key not locking all the way in place. Only thing I could tell was maybe the plastic was a little worn.
In the process!
Finished product!! Came out well, plastic is new. I used the buttons from my barely used keyfob as I liked the more chrome look better. Put some clear nail polish on to protect it and hopefully its good to go!
basically I explain why the key is loose in the thread and the sure way of fixing it is to replace the blade. which means you have to get the new blade cut.
Last edited by guitarplayer16; Oct 24, 2015 at 05:41 PM.
New casing looks much better
I've dealt with these switchblades way too many times
Thanks! I tried to fix the switchblade but with no luck. I wish I could have gotten that other screw out and I would have swapped them. No biggie.
NOTE: For those of you that decide to do this or order an aftermarket shell. Do not use the rubber that comes behind the buttons, it is of cheaper quality and not as stiff and therefore the buttons do not click appropriately. Found this out the hard way and had to take the keyfob apart again.
Thanks! I tried to fix the switchblade but with no luck. I wish I could have gotten that other screw out and I would have swapped them. No biggie.
NOTE: For those of you that decide to do this or order an aftermarket shell. Do not use the rubber that comes behind the buttons, it is of cheaper quality and not as stiff and therefore the buttons do not click appropriately. Found this out the hard way and had to take the keyfob apart again.
I just completed this project a week ago and ended up with the same issue as far as the blade not being completely flushed. It actually sticks out just as much as yours does in the last pic you posted. Although it's not flush it's better than how flimsy my oem one was and was sticking out more too. As for the button issue with the rubber that came with it, I have yet to have a problem. Buttons click and feel brand new.
'07-'08 Key fob rehab
they have loctite on them. Another tip is to paint the buttons with clear nail polish to prevent the black from rubbing off eventually (again in my case)
