DIY: Changing remote Batteries and Housings VY-VZ

[Tuned_LS1]

DISCLAIMER*** // I AM A MECHANIC AND CALL MYSELF AS SOMEWHAT PROFESSIONAL. THE JOB WAS DONE EASIER AS I KIND OF KNOW WHAT I'M DOING. THIS IS A 2 BEER MINIMUM JOB SO PLEASE TAKE CARE WHEN COMPLETING THIS AS I TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY IF THINGS DON'T WORK OUT FOR YOU. (MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A SPARE KEY)

Hey guys,

I did a quick search but I didn't really see anything the same as this so I decided to write it up.

I noticed my remote buttons were looking a bit flogged out so I decided it was time to do something about it. I thought while I'm at it, why not change the batteies as well?

I knew I'd have to sacrifice the genuine remote housing, but I found them on eBay cheaps so no issues there!

Here's what I did:

Tools required:

Fine tip philips head screw driver (Jeweller type)
Flat blade screw driver
Soldering iron and some solder
De soldering braid (optional)
Beers

1/ Remove the two philips head screws holding in the shank and remove it.



Shank removed


2/ Using a flat blade screw driver, pry open the remote housing, being careful not to damage the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) thats inside.



3/ You will find a rubbery type gasket, you can discard that.

4/ Remove the PCB from the remote and you will then see the battery which is soldered to the PCB. (Keep in mind the battery polarity, the tang sitting on top is positve, the one at the bottom is negative)





5/ Using a soldering iron, heat and melt the solder holding in the battery tangs. (I also used some de-soldering braid to help out the process a bit, but is not imperative.)




6/ The battery should then be free to remove from the PCB.



7/ Fit new battery to PCB, ensuring it is on the right way around, you can even test if it work without soldering it in yet. (Just see if it lock and unlocks your car. If its all good, solder it in)



8/ Fit PCB to brand new key housing.



9/ Fit shank back into remote and insert the screws that you removed previously) I got new screws with the new housings)



10/ Test to make sure your car starts and central locking works!

Job done! Crack open a froffy!!

[whitels1ss]

Great write up mate.

[Micks]

Thanks, was unaware you could buy new remote enclosure for these. Are the replacement shells reuseable or need to be glued?

[redvxr8clubby]

Thanks, was unaware you could buy new remote enclosure for these. Are the replacement shells reuseable or need to be glued?

No glue, they just press together and 2 screws for the metal key itself. I ordered some of these a while ago, but chickened out when it came to pulling the old key apart. I was thinking I would damage the electronics trying to get it apart. I then decided to get some replacement buttons caps only (like a silica type buttons), used a blade to cut out the remains of the old buttons as originals were perished, then fit the replacement buttons. These work absolutely fine. Good thread, I can't remember now if I removed the metal key from the key head. Using that opening then as a pry point to split the key head is a good idea. Ebay is a good source for this stuff.

[whitels1ss]

Thanks, was unaware you could buy new remote enclosure for these. Are the replacement shells reuseable or need to be glued?

I have done about 5 of these after showing mates that I had done mine & them asking me if I would do one for them.

It's easy as, but I also put a couple of spots of super glue in each to be sure they held together because I do not have long term faith in the clips.

[Micks]

No glue, they just press together and 2 screws for the metal key itself. I ordered some of these a while ago, but chickened out when it came to pulling the old key apart. I was thinking I would damage the electronics trying to get it apart. I then decided to get some replacement buttons caps only (like a silica type buttons), used a blade to cut out the remains of the old buttons as originals were perished, then fit the replacement buttons. These work absolutely fine. Good thread, I can't remember now if I removed the metal key from the key head. Using that opening then as a pry point to split the key head is a good idea. Ebay is a good source for this stuff.

Getting them apart is quite easy. I just warmed up a blade & carefully ran it around the seam, comes apart intact. But a pita to put back together.

[whitels1ss]

Those silica replacement buttons look like crap, feel wrong & used to fall out,
the replacement key shells which you can buy very cheap on ebay are much better & look pretty much like OEM keys
apart from not having the Holden or HSV logo embossed on the back side of them.

Commodore Key Shell.jpg

[Bling Bling]

Good write up, were did you get the battery from and are you sponsered by bosch ha ha.

[skilly]

I did mine too and got the battery from RS components
http://au.rs-online.com/web/p/coin-b...eries/5132871/

[Tuned_LS1]

Haha, no not sponsored by Bosch. I grabbed everything off eBay.

[redvxr8clubby]

Those silica replacement buttons look like crap, feel wrong & used to fall out,
the replacement key shells which you can buy very cheap on ebay are much better & look pretty much like OEM keys
apart from not having the Holden or HSV logo embossed on the back side of them.

Commodore Key Shell.jpg

Never had a problem with mine, done a few years ago. I don't use the car as a daily though, so it wouldn't get the wear and tear of a lot of cars.

[Tuned_LS1]

Just thinking it might be an idea to move this one to the DIY section of the forum, just so it doesn't get lost?

[motomk]

Just thinking it might be an idea to move this one to the DIY section of the forum, just so it doesn't get lost?

Good Work GreenMachine02 !

http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?169221