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wanted to change batteries in my key fobs. when pulling them apart, the buttons and springs for the key release buttons fell out. found the button but not the spring. bought springs from amazon that are the same dimension as the original. now i can’t get the fob back together. i can snap the bottom and one side back together and the button still will function. soon as i snap the other side together, the button freezes and will no longer function. needless to see, the key will not snap into place. i did this 5 times on one of the fobs and had the same issue. on the 6th try, doing exactly the same thing as the other five and it finally worked. tried the same thing on the other fob and so far no luck. here is photo of the stubborn fob. don’t know if there is anything to see that would show the issue. anyone had this issue and found a solution? i would REALLY appreciate it! what a garbage design!
question for you? where did this key fob come from? I have an original key fob for my c7 GS.....dealer said there were 2 when I purchased in 2021...they lied so they gave me a "free one" ......that one barely worked and thought it was a battery problem....opened it and it all fell apart. Was lucky to put it together and it worked. 6 months later...I lost a key fob at a casino...so ordered a new one made for 400 and it works perfect ...took it apart and it didnt fall apart. Just curious if this is a dealer known problem and they screw customers! just wondering
I also have a 3" X 24 " magnet with a five foot handle to help me retrieve small spings and parts. Maybe, the spring is a little too large in diameter.
Good luck!
Last edited by Vette Jockey; Oct 25, 2023 at 02:59 AM.
question for you? where did this key fob come from? I have an original key fob for my c7 GS.....dealer said there were 2 when I purchased in 2021...they lied so they gave me a "free one" ......that one barely worked and thought it was a battery problem....opened it and it all fell apart. Was lucky to put it together and it worked. 6 months later...I lost a key fob at a casino...so ordered a new one made for 400 and it works perfect ...took it apart and it didnt fall apart. Just curious if this is a dealer known problem and they screw customers! just wondering
here is a pic of the two fobs. the one on the right functions as it should. the one on the left does not. notice the one on the left, the key release button sits further back than the one on the right. i think that is why it doesn’t work but i have no idea what is causing to sit that far back.
Doesn't look like it's aligned into the hole like the one on the right. Taking it to Batteries plus is not a bad idea. Maybe they can get it back together correctly and won't charge you labor for it. Just the battery. If you take it to a dealer be prepared to shell out hundreds.
Did you try pushing the button in, then inserting the key, then releasing the button?
yes, when all the sides are snapped back together, the button literally freezes and no longer move at all. as long as one of the sides is not snapped together, the button moves. when the button freezes, the key cannot be inserted. it will not snap into place.
No problems with either of the '18s here. It wouldn't be unheard of for GM to get some wonky parts on the cheap... who cares if customers has a problem later.
anybody know where i can get a fob case where the key release button functions properly. i will use the circuit board from the existing fob which works and the existing key which is cut for my car?
I cant help but I can relate. The spring shot out when I changed my battery. Spent 45 mins in the kitchen on my hands and knees and found it. Poor design.
here is a pic of the two fobs. the one on the right functions as it should. the one on the left does not. notice the one on the left, the key release button sits further back than the one on the right. i think that is why it doesn’t work but i have no idea what is causing to sit that far back.
The button is not in all the way. You need to rotate it slightly as you are installing it so it goes all the way in, then rotate back to normal position. If done correctly, the button will stay in that half of the case without having to hold it.
I just bought a fob that is missing the spring. I searched on Amazon burt cant find a replacement. Can you tell me where you found it?
thanks,
Rich
The button is not in all the way. You need to rotate it slightly as you are installing it so it goes all the way in, then rotate back to normal position. If done correctly, the button will stay in that half of the case without having to hold it.
I just bought a fob that is missing the spring. I searched on Amazon burt cant find a replacement. Can you tell me where you found it?
thanks,
Rich
I'd be tempted to take one out of a ball point pen and cut it to length.
I thought of that as well, but the pen spring is too big in diameter, so it won't work. I found a replacement spring, whose dimensions are close enough, on Amazon for like 8 dollars for a pack of 10.
anybody know where i can get a fob case where the key release button functions properly. i will use the circuit board from the existing fob which works and the existing key which is cut for my car?
Amazon.
Ebay.
Just search for C7 fob shell.
Make sure you get the right one whether or not you car has remote start.
They're about 10 bucks.
Another option is to contact a Corvette dismantler in you area. They have no use for the fobs.
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Originally Posted by unclecookie
I thought of that as well, but the pen spring is too big in diameter, so it won't work. I found a replacement spring, whose dimensions are close enough, on Amazon for like 8 dollars for a pack of 10.
key fob hell
That is where I take mine to have new batteries installed
It wouldn't be unheard of for GM to get some wonky parts on the cheap... who cares if customers has a problem later. 
