cartop2

Others have written this up for various FOBS. Here's what worked for me on my 2009 FOB and I've included a couple of things to avoid. With three years between each replacement, it seems that I learn this all over each time I do it. Sorry about the size of the photos.

1. My 2009 FOB looks like this.



2. Remove the emergency key. Press the little tab and pull out the key.




CAUTION:
Do not pry in the key pocket in an attempt to separate the FOB halves. The key pocket is contained in one half of the FOB. If you pry inside of that, you will break the plastic. The opposite side also has a recess that is entirely in one half.





3. I used a table knife to separate the two halves. Someone else suggested a guitar pick (needs to be a stiff one), and someone else suggested a plastic tool with a flat end. Whatever tool needs to be fairly thin and preferably without serrations. This step took some patience, but I gradually worked the knife into the slit between the halves. Do not press the tool in so far into the slit that you damage the tabs that hold the FOB halves together.
Things that did not work for me included an attempt to use a small screwdriver. The screwdriver blade was too thick, and the distance across the blade was too small and it would most likely result in indentations in the fob plastic if I were to try and twist the screwdriver to separate the fob halves. Had similar problems with a letter opener being too thick.






The plastic "tabs" run pretty much the full length of three sides. So take your time and gently increase force until the tabs begin to release.





4. After the halves begin to separate, first work one side open, then open the end opposite the emergency key, and finally the opposite side will easily separate.


5. With the two halves open, the small electronics board may fall out of the rubber seat that locates and holds it in the FOB. Handle the green electronics assembly only by the edges. CAUTION: If you touch the electronics components or the metal surfaces on the electronics assembly, you may damage it. Even if you do not feel the discharge of static from your body into the electronics, it can still cause damage. Trust me on this one, I worked in sensitive electronics for several years.



If your parts separated from the FOB case, put the side of the green board with the circles against the rubber part that holds the board in place.






6. Remove the old battery. I used a toothpick to simplify getting the battery out. I saw no electronics on this half of the FOB, so you are unlikely to hurt anything if you use your fingers to remove the battery. Just be careful not to damage the metal spring that makes contact with the battery.






7. Install a new CR2032 battery, with the positive (+) side down.

I started the edge against the metal spring then used a toothpick to press the battery in place. That was mostly so that I would not apply too much force. If the battery needed more force than I could apply with the toothpick, then I would know that something was out of place.





8. Make sure the electronics assembly is correctly seated, then put the two halves together. I squeezed them together working one edge at a time. It does not take a huge amount of force. If it is not going together, I suggest checking for alignment of the things inside and especially make sure the button for releasing the emergency key is going into the slot where it is supposed to fit.





9. After the two halves are back together, slide the emergency key back into place and your FOB should be ready for another three years.

unclecookie

Very nice write up and photos. Thank you for posting this. I need to replace my FOB batteries soon, and this will be very helpful.

Vette_DD

Thanks.

Roodog

Thanks for the great 'How To' ,, made the replacement process a piece of cake.

SCcues

Thanks for taking the time to post this step by step process of changing the FOB battery and the pictures are great. I know this took you some time and trouble to put together and everyone who reads this thread will want to thank you. I'm going to bookmark it for future reference!

Johnathon59

Useful info..

Landru

Nicely done.
Should make the sticky list.

Nomomoney

Like everyone else said, thanks and Kudo's for a great "how to."

Thanks

Allen

cclive

Nice pics and writeup. I would add not to try to open the fob without making sure it is warm. Maybe leave it in the sun for a few minutes before popping it open, but don't do this in a cold garage in the winter.

3LZZ06

Great write up. Thanks for taking the time for the detail and pictures...

HOXXOH

Nice write-up with pics. You probably saved me another fob purchase. I've broken at least one locking tab on 4 of 5 fobs when I've changed batteries. One broke so badly, I had to tape it together until I got a replacement. I was always trying to open them at the wrong spot until I saw your post. Thanks.

One thing I might add.
Due to the curved shape, it's rather easy to push the panic and/or hatch button with the fob in your pocket by simply leaning up to a desk or any flat hard surface. However, you can put a bit of cellophane or paper over the contact(s) on the board for the buttons that you want to disable.

cclive

On Ebay, there are replacement plastic cases for most car fobs...you just move your circuit board over from old to new...no reprogramming needed. I just got one for a friend who had her fob cracked and broken by the dealer. $9. Shipped.

HOXXOH

As of today, the Dorman website still doesn't show a C6 '08 and newer replacement case. AFAIK, no one but Dorman makes or supplies those cases.
There are several Cadillac models that use a similar appearing fob, but the interiors are not the same. The only ones that will work, have the removable end for the key and can be identified in a photo if you look for the key release button.

cclive

Most of the ones I saw on ebay were cheap foreign copies, but I never have looked for the Vette. Dorman is a great company though...when someone tells you that some part "only comes from the factory"...Dorman usually has it....

RocketDawg

Another note ... if you buy the CR2032 batteries locally, they can be quite expensive. I got 20 of them (Sony) on Amazon for about $8 ... roughly 40 cents apiece. That's better than the $4-5 you get them for at Walmart when only buying one. The same battery is used in lots of other things too (my tire pressure gauge, for one).

cartop2

I like that idea. I don't think I've ever needed that button except to turn off the beeping horn after I accidentally set it off.

joliett

Don't use a knife...USE A GUITAR PICK...it works great for all the new electronic things...like, cell phones, tablets and corvette fobs. Opens 'em without any marks at all.

Red08

Here's a You Tube video showing how to do it. It's a Cadillac key fob, but its the same style for a 2008 or later vette.

Scuba Ghost

Thanks for a very detailed writeup.

cartop2

I like that idea. The knife I used had serrations, and they did leave some small marks. Not sure my medium Fender celluloid picks are strong enough, but I'll give it a try.