$7-10 DIY - Pontiac GTO Ignition Key Fob Repair 2004-2006 (Holden Monaro)

[@adamkarros8139]

Our GTO Keys have rechargeable, Lithium Batteries! (Look closely in the vid...) The ignition lock cylinder actually charges the battery when its in the car. Also the tip of the key and that little nipple on the side create the unique resistance circuit for the VATS security system AND charge the Li-Ion Battery inside. No need to replace the battery for a very long time! If your remote dies, unlock the car manually and put your key it will charge it enough to bypass the vats

[@diymakerdan]

I'm curious, where does the information come from that the ignition lock cylinder charges the key battery? I'd really like to believe that was true but my belly tells me that is not.

[@diymakerdan]

Some quick fact checking revealed this: The original battery in the factory remote is an ordinary CR2032 Lithium, not a Lithium-Ion. Regular Lithium batteries are not normally designed to be recharged whereas the Lithium-Ions are. If the battery in the remote was rechargeable, its part # would have started with "Li" not a "C". The CR2032's are simply a regular throw away battery once depleted. Sorry to myth-bust that as I do believe you were replying to be kind and helpful but I firmly believe the battery charging theory is false. Hope that helps you out.

[@mrdilligaf1968]

My vy commodore charges in the ignition. Same car as a GTO

[@chetamus1845]

@@diymakerdan I definitely agree with your fact checking. If it were a rechargeable Li-Ion battery, it would be closer to 4v. Even dead, it would still be 3.3v-3.4v. I own a 2005 GTO that I purchased new. I can tell you the battery in the fob has never been replaced and still works after 16 years. It's simply amazing to me because I use the remote all the time.

[@diymakerdan]

​ @Chet Amus Simply put, proper testing with a multi-meter doesn't care about anyone's feelings.

[@gregorykaplan1226]

I'm glad it's not just me. I've been trying to get this thing open for like an hour. That's actually what I'm watching his video to see if I missed something

[@diymakerdan]

If GM had only swapped the glue used for the remotes with the glue used for the headliners. 2 problems solved!

[@gregorykaplan1226]

@@diymakerdan I'm assuming that the adhesive the used for the headliners is pretty bad. Luckily mine is in great shape so I'm not messing with it!

[@diymakerdan]

That adhesive could have been better. If your car is primarily sheltered it should hold up decent, but is a known issue on GTO's. I think the sun's heat aids it in releasing over time causing little detached "pockets". Common problem on GM cars from the 80's too but it was a lot worse back then.

[@gregorykaplan1226]

@@diymakerdan luckily it's only hot here a few months out of the year! I live in the northwest

[@ckaterdude]

I had all three problems, let fob button falling apart, headliner is starting to sag and my key tumbler broke. So I got the ignition fixed ordering a new key and ordered new buttons, and gonna source my headliner fix later down the road. Good start on just buying the car. 😐

[@Mitalayeka]

I liked the narration, thanks for sharing.

[@Meinstein]

Thank you for responding.. truth be told, I spent an hour and a half at one of our best locksmiths just today.. really. This after waiting two weeks for them to obtain a pair of duplicate keys. One plain.. and one with the big fob. They were not able to make either of them work. They said they may need to purchase a "dongle" that was missing from their set. ? They said that this was the first key they had ever seen of it's kind. That is why I ordered two from them.. and did NOT just had them a couple blanks to work with. These new keys are going to cost me.. but not as much as it is costing this locksmith to keep up his reputation as being the best in the city.

[@Antonemachine]

You went to the wrong people. Needs to be programmed. Easy job though. There are plenty of shops who can do it easily. Here in Australia most shopping centres you go to the shoe repair shop (e.g. Mr Minit) and you can leave them your car keys, go do your shopping and they will have a new one programmed for you 20mins later👍

[@Meinstein]

@@Antonemachine Thank you for the advise. I am going to book tickets to Australia tomorrow. I hear it's an interesting place to visit. I hope your key makers don't need the car there to program it.. or that is going to add to the cost tremendously!

[@bluemeanie6395]

you can buy those batteries with solder tabs on ebay. My VT Commodore is exactly the same. And no, they do not re-charge. They are a regular lithium CR2032 3v

[@mantis3dfx]

I did what you did and the halves came apart a few months later - the screws pulled slightly in the plastic which created an intermittent earth drama - i.e: that metal tag that the screw goes through, which you can see when its all apart wasnt clamped against the key blade well enough, which then caused some intermittent dramas with the imobiliser on occasion. So I ended up using the original screw which threads into the key blade to sandwich the earth against it better, then glued the halves back together as the factory halves were, using a small amount of strategically placed super glue. Problem solved. That was about 2 years ago 😎

[@kooltawan]

Now that's fighting it and wow that's alot of work

[@sarahk5966]

I don't need the battery out, I need to replace the rubber and it won't open. I have 2 fobs I have to fix. Bought the car new in 2006. They lasted this long, but what a bummer. I actually ended up getting open after 30min. I gently put it in a vice with a cloth and kept going back and forth turning a flat head and a razor blade along the edges. Now the rubber is glued hard on the inside. As long as it works when I'm done.

[@briann1282]

thx for sharing this, where do u get the aftermarket case at? I wanna try this instead of buying another key fob, dunno how expensive it is yet but if it's like all these other parts I'm sure its stupid high

[@CamaroSS1]

Same here over an hour, and still no luck.

[@stevenkang7180]

Took me 2hr to do it but got it done

[@leroybrown5048]

Just swap the button rubber out and then your done because the ignition switch charges the key fob battery when it’s in the ignition,BOOM

[@Meinstein]

Two things: first, it seems that you went through all that trouble and expense ONLY to repair the ripped rubber. MY trunk button has worn away as well but I was hoping for an easier fix. Secondly, I don't know if it recharges or not.. but my 2005 key fob is still working well into 2023. I came here to find how to replace my only key.. not replace the original housing.

[@diymakerdan]

You can try replacing the buttons but you have to cut the rubber pad into 3 pieces. I didn't want to risk the buttons possibly falling out someday which is why I went with the case instead. The car does not charge the battery fob. Getting a new key is a no brainer, buy a new key and get it programmed to the car.

[@Mickcotton]

Great Job. I have the same key & problem. Where did you find the replacement case ? Thank You So Much 😊

[@diymakerdan]

Ebay

[@Mickcotton]

@@diymakerdan yes thank You So Much I got them

[@grantwhite5826]

I may have missed it, but where did you get the new covers, I just bought a GTO and both have no buttons left

[@neatt3815]

What a mission lol I need to do this for my VZ Commodore key. Curious to know if you could have used the original backing half of the shell just for Pontiac emblem?

[@diymakerdan]

No the original case was too damaged and the aftermarket one fastens differently thus no swapping even if the back was perfect.

[@GrymeJr]

I said fuq that, and just reprogrammed a new fob and just replaced the key blade, i now have 3 fobs programmed 🤣😭 they also have individual rubber buttons to replace as needed

[@jughtful]

you can get just the new silicon buttons on there own just like my vy commodore same key

[@diymakerdan]

Do the Holden keys use the glue from hell like the Pontiac keys do? If so, ordering a new fob shell with the buttons is a wiser move as the case will be quite mangled or even destroyed opening it up.

[@davidcat1455]

Exactly. I just did mine. 🇦🇺👍😃

[@davidcat1455]

@@diymakerdan You don’t have to open the case. Just carefully pick the old buttons out with a pair of tweezers and slip the new ones in from the outside. Takes two minutes and costs less than four Australian dollars

[@OldManFrank]

*Quick Tip! My 1976 Camaro has no need for a key FOB battery. HA!*

[@jacosta5580]

Yeah f that i tried opening mine and it solid shut so must be original key, im just going to add 2 more keys and program them to it

[@kenmcinerney6995]

They really discouraged any DIY on these. Very helpful info on replacing just the case and worn through rubber buttons on my 2006 GTO. I had mine open in a couple of minutes with a thin cut Dremel by carefully cutting about halfway around and using a wide blade screwdriver. Amazon dropping off a new case and buttons for 7 bucks.

[@texasaggieproud]

Yep.... Cracked mine trying to get the damn thing opened. And, the battery will NOT come out.

[@jeffwhite9001]

You have to unsolder the battery and get a new one with solder tabs on them, I've done several.

[@mrdilligaf1968]

Go slow n careful of the circuit board and they open pretty easy. Re seal with some silicone sealant

[@chilliwhiggerE]

There is no avoiding destroying the original case but there is a faster way to get it open without damaging the internals. You ready? Heat Gun 5 - 10 minutes tops. You're welcome.

[@diymakerdan]

Great tip Phil!

[@chilliwhiggerE]

@@diymakerdan I watched your video to see what it was that was holding it together and once I did I had my attack plan 👍 I thought about putting it in the oven as well. lol

[@diymakerdan]

The engine itself makes an excellent oven too. Place on motor and go for a long drive, lol.

[@gregorykaplan1226]

I almost melted it and it was still a pain to pry open.. I was going to try to keep the original plastic but I'm not sure if I want to keep essentially plastic waste around for no reason...

[@chilliwhiggerE]

@@gregorykaplan1226 the only other way that I can see to get it open efficiently and effectively would be to soak it in some sort of solvent whereby running the risk of damaging the internal circuit board. You could try cutting it with a die grinder or dremel around the edge but that takes a steadier hand than mine. Anyway you go the original case is going to be rendered useless imo. Since then I have rebuilt the doors and I am now modifying the cylinder heads 🤘😎👍 7000 rpm here we come!

[@Paul-zz3qo]

replace the tip on wood burning tool with an exacto knife

[@parkerevans213]

These key fobs are garbage. Not only do you have to destroy the casting to get it open, but you have to spot weld the battery to the board? This company had every intention of keeping people out of it.

[@diymakerdan]

I concur!

[@adriannavarro455]

Bought the new Holden fob screws don’t even thread in

[@kennethjarvis268]

It is glued

[@jeffwhite9001]

lol, I feel your pain, after having done several of these I have come to the conclusion they are well capable of surviving a nuclear blast

[@diymakerdan]

Several? lol, one was enough for me, any more and I'd switch to a more mid-evil process of opening them up.

[@gdawwg1125]

just wedge it harder with the big flat blade like you started doing. it wil open

[@diymakerdan]

If I did this again I would simply switch to opening it up with a cut off wheel or a bench grinder to grind the edges down as there is no saving the factory case. Mine was especially glued together, and I was prying it with great force.

[@jameslucas8230]

Just buy a new key and program it at home. It takes 30 .minutes 😊

[@louisgreenberg5384]

Abs case so hairdryer for me Just like drain pipes

[@ricoElGallo]

I had to pay $700 to replace lost key😭 so yea dont lose the key

[@diymakerdan]

That's highway robbery!