HOW TO: Replacement buttons on ignition key

[jc_sv8]

Hi Guys, (here goes again :wave:)

Over the years my poor old keys have copped a hiding and in need of button replacements.
I looked at the cost of new keys and it was ridiculous!

A quick search on eBay brought up a couple of options and I thought for $1.95 including postage, the two key button replacement would be a cheap way out.

Firstly this is what the key looked like to start with. It was very difficult to force my pinky into unlock the car and I ended up carrying a golf tee to do it which was impractical.

http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz318/jcraigau/Misc/key1_zps7ccd1a7f.jpeg

First step is to clear off the rest of the existing buttons.
I used a small glasses screwdriver to slice through the old rubber buttons. Just be careful not to scrape too deeply and damage the circuit board.
Then you need to scrape around under the button as it seems they are glued to the underside of the cover from the inside, probably part of the assembly.

http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz318/jcraigau/Misc/key2_zps7c54cafb.jpeg

I used a small tweezer to grab the bits that fall into the key.

http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz318/jcraigau/Misc/key3_zps27659360.jpeg

There are lots of bits left over... and by the end you should have a clean(ish) surface both on the top and under the button holes.

http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz318/jcraigau/Misc/key4_zpsc51d4de7.jpeg

Then you take the three replacement buttons and gently push them into the holes until they snap in around the plastic edges.

http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz318/jcraigau/Misc/key6_zps145985be.jpeg

Wella, like a bought one! 10 minutes per key and 2 bucks well spent...

http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz318/jcraigau/Misc/key7_zps149ebec4.jpeg

Apparently the thread got deleted, but hopefully it helps you guys out.

[whitels1ss]

Hi Guys, (here goes again :wave:)

Apparently the thread got deleted, but hopefully it helps you guys out.

Yes, if anyone is wondering I deleted the thread earlier on by mistake.

To cut a long story short...
I was having problems on the forum trying to add and edit something on the thread and through some unknown tehnical hitch
I got booted off and when I got back in I found the entire thread deleted.
I sent JC a private message saying sorry for what had happened and asked him to re post his thread.

[Decromin]

I've also copied this thread over to the DIY section for posterity

http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?164987-DIY-Replacement-buttons-on-VT-VZ-ignition-key

[Mohit]

As I had mentioned in the deleted thread, these are good quality buttons except for the icons which rubbed off and disappeared within a couple of months in my case.

[mechatron]

Good DIY guide mate. I've used these replacement buttons before and they work quite well....definitely beats buying a new key. The buttons I bought are pretty much identical but the lock and unlock images are up the same way. Also over time you might find that the buttons start to fall out so if this happens just smear Loctite around the edges of the buttons and push them back in. I've used Loctite and my buttons never become dislodged or fall out anymore

[Wonky]

For anyone looking for VE key buttons quite a few Holden dealers are selling the genuine replacement buttons (part #92245049) quite cheaply on eBay. I just bought one because after almost 5 years of constant use the cover on Lock button on the key I use all the time has developed a crack and now hole. Still works OK so just hope it's easy to swap bits........ :confused:

Cost me all of $3.99 including (free) delivery. :goodjob:

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o274/gcovo/Misc/VEkeybuttons_zps151f8a44.jpg

[Micks]

Windsor Holden sent me a how to sheet with my key bits & pieces when I rebuilt the VE flip key a few months back, let me if you need it.

[motomk]

There is a tutorial on youtube on how to swap the VE commodore ones over.

[VFast]

Are the VF keys the same or similar to the VE?

[Micks]

Hi Guys, (here goes again :wave:)

Over the years my poor old keys have copped a hiding and in need of button replacements.
I looked at the cost of new keys and it was ridiculous!

A quick search on eBay brought up a couple of options and I thought for $1.95 including postage, the two key button replacement would be a cheap way out.

Firstly this is what the key looked like to start with. It was very difficult to force my pinky into unlock the car and I ended up carrying a golf tee to do it which was impractical.

http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz318/jcraigau/Misc/key1_zps7ccd1a7f.jpeg

First step is to clear off the rest of the existing buttons.
I used a small glasses screwdriver to slice through the old rubber buttons. Just be careful not to scrape too deeply and damage the circuit board.
Then you need to scrape around under the button as it seems they are glued to the underside of the cover from the inside, probably part of the assembly.

http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz318/jcraigau/Misc/key2_zps7c54cafb.jpeg

I used a small tweezer to grab the bits that fall into the key.

http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz318/jcraigau/Misc/key3_zps27659360.jpeg

There are lots of bits left over... and by the end you should have a clean(ish) surface both on the top and under the button holes.

http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz318/jcraigau/Misc/key4_zpsc51d4de7.jpeg

Then you take the three replacement buttons and gently push them into the holes until they snap in around the plastic edges.

http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz318/jcraigau/Misc/key6_zps145985be.jpeg

Wella, like a bought one! 10 minutes per key and 2 bucks well spent...

http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz318/jcraigau/Misc/key7_zps149ebec4.jpeg

Apparently the thread got deleted, but hopefully it helps you guys out.

Yeah I done same with my Ol Vy a coupla years ago but found they did the job & lasted though appeared to be soft as!

[jc_sv8]

Yea, they are soft, but for 2 bucks do a great job.
As a follow up they are still going strong and haven't moved.

[Davothegreat]

Here's mine after 2 years of daily driver usage. Still plenty of markings left and the buttons have only popped out once. As noted above they are rather soft and require a fair amount of effort to operate. But for $2 who's complaining :)

http://i1091.photobucket.com/albums/i397/davothegreat/IMG_1140.jpg (http://s1091.photobucket.com/user/davothegreat/media/IMG_1140.jpg.html)

[redvxr8clubby]

There is a tutorial on youtube on how to swap the VE commodore ones over.

+1 for the youtube video, the Windsor Holden sheet is pretty bad quality, very clear on Youtube, $4 for the VE key pad inc post from Windsor Holden is great value.

[Micks]

+1 for the youtube video, the Windsor Holden sheet is pretty bad quality, very clear on Youtube, $4 for the VE key pad inc post from Windsor Holden is great value.
Yep easy as!