DIY Broken Remote/Valet key repair
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From: Seattle, WA
DIY Broken Remote/Valet key repair
Hello my fellow Lexatrons!
Over the years I've received so much great info about my SC from CL that I thought it might be my turn to give back. This DIY could save you $200-300!
I've fixed both my broken remote and valet key and I'd like to provide you with a strong and easy fix. I finished both keys in about 3 hours total.
So here goes...
The old worn and broken keys:
Everything I used:
Dremel, Sandable JB Weld, Pam nonstick spray, a sturdy spring from a pen, buttons from a Nokia 6130 (I later used the button off a travel alarm clock. Nokia button was too soft and would probablyfall out), nail files, wax paper, gloss black Krylon Fusion spray paint and a soldering iron.
6130 button would have been great, but too flimsy
Applied wax paper to keep jb weld from adhering to the unwanted.
Now... If I had to do it all over again, I would have applied the JB Weld without the hole and drilled/dremeled it out after hardening making it much stroner. Anyhoo, this is how I did it and its still very strong.
Over the years I've received so much great info about my SC from CL that I thought it might be my turn to give back. This DIY could save you $200-300!
I've fixed both my broken remote and valet key and I'd like to provide you with a strong and easy fix. I finished both keys in about 3 hours total.
So here goes...
The old worn and broken keys:
Everything I used:
Dremel, Sandable JB Weld, Pam nonstick spray, a sturdy spring from a pen, buttons from a Nokia 6130 (I later used the button off a travel alarm clock. Nokia button was too soft and would probablyfall out), nail files, wax paper, gloss black Krylon Fusion spray paint and a soldering iron.
6130 button would have been great, but too flimsy
Applied wax paper to keep jb weld from adhering to the unwanted.
Now... If I had to do it all over again, I would have applied the JB Weld without the hole and drilled/dremeled it out after hardening making it much stroner. Anyhoo, this is how I did it and its still very strong.
Last edited by Lexatron; Apr 22, 2011 at 09:27 AM.
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JB Welded the button hole and then dremeled it to its original oval shape. Sorry I do not have a final pic for this, but it is important to leave room for the key to move freely up and down, all the while keeping enough over lap to keep the button from popping out. This worked excellent for me.
Crude at first. Still wish I would have made it whole and drilled key eye later.
Last edited by Lexatron; Apr 22, 2011 at 09:24 AM.
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Like so...
Let harden... (Valet key too)
Sandy, sandy with nail file and rounded inside of key eye (not shown).
I drilled out the screw hole with a small drill bit and dremeled a well for the screw. Then I kept sanding until the key halves fit together perfectly.
Buttons from a travel alarm clock. I sanded it to fit making sure I left enough flange to keep the button in the hole. I then I cut off the end of a sturdy pen spring and stretched it a bit , as well as, made it a bit larger diameter. I had to experiment with lengths. The length pictured worked for me
Button in.
Let harden... (Valet key too)
Sandy, sandy with nail file and rounded inside of key eye (not shown).
I drilled out the screw hole with a small drill bit and dremeled a well for the screw. Then I kept sanding until the key halves fit together perfectly.
Buttons from a travel alarm clock. I sanded it to fit making sure I left enough flange to keep the button in the hole. I then I cut off the end of a sturdy pen spring and stretched it a bit , as well as, made it a bit larger diameter. I had to experiment with lengths. The length pictured worked for me
Button in.
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And wouldn't you know!! The dang remote doesn't work. Must have a bad antenna connection inside the key! Lets see... Yep!
Ok...where's that travel alarm clock? I cannibalized a piece of wire from it and stuck it in the hole.
Careful with the solder!! Look looky my huge tip.
And viola! Remote soldered and working like a champ with an alarm clock button! lol!
Not shown, but I then masked the Lexus logo and painted it with Krylon Fusion gloss black. Looks and works like new 6 months later
Ok...where's that travel alarm clock? I cannibalized a piece of wire from it and stuck it in the hole.
Careful with the solder!! Look looky my huge tip.
And viola! Remote soldered and working like a champ with an alarm clock button! lol!
Not shown, but I then masked the Lexus logo and painted it with Krylon Fusion gloss black. Looks and works like new 6 months later
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The valet key... This thing is super strong lol!
Finish sanding the key and paint!!!!
I hope this helps those of you with broken keys!!! We all know how expensive it is to buy new ones!!!
Enjoy!
Finish sanding the key and paint!!!!
I hope this helps those of you with broken keys!!! We all know how expensive it is to buy new ones!!!
Enjoy!
Last edited by Lexatron; Apr 22, 2011 at 12:33 PM. Reason: added pic
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lol!
2 bucks worth of JB weld.
When fully sanded and painted nobody can tell they've been fixed without a really hard look.
The button on the remote works the same if not better than the original.
The keys are much stronger then before as I have dropped them on many occasions since the fix.
Oh and BTW these "ghetto" keys go to this beauty 93 SC400 with 170k
2 bucks worth of JB weld.
When fully sanded and painted nobody can tell they've been fixed without a really hard look.
The button on the remote works the same if not better than the original.
The keys are much stronger then before as I have dropped them on many occasions since the fix.
Oh and BTW these "ghetto" keys go to this beauty 93 SC400 with 170k
Last edited by Lexatron; Apr 22, 2011 at 10:53 AM. Reason: add pics
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Ghetto fix maybe, but it does not look ghetto at all.
Kick-a$$ fix - thank you for sharing.
I lost the button on my key. Instead I bought a key from another forum member (Aliga please take a bow) and used it as a donor. Then put the left over parts in the pay it forward thread.
Kick-a$$ fix - thank you for sharing.
I lost the button on my key. Instead I bought a key from another forum member (Aliga please take a bow) and used it as a donor. Then put the left over parts in the pay it forward thread.
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Joined: Aug 2004
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Thanks for the compliments all around!
It uses a CR1216 - Remote Lithium Battery. I found mine at RiteAid for like $5-6. A very common battery.
Yes they are still available from the dealer. I believe the quote I got was $180 for the key, $90 to cut and $60 to program. And the valet key with cut is just too rediculous for the $ to even consider.
I chose to create the $2 JB Weld fix. Besides, it was fun.
Yes they are still available from the dealer. I believe the quote I got was $180 for the key, $90 to cut and $60 to program. And the valet key with cut is just too rediculous for the $ to even consider.
I chose to create the $2 JB Weld fix. Besides, it was fun.
Last edited by Lexatron; Apr 23, 2011 at 06:43 AM.
