Question about electronic key fobs

[johnnystorm]

Mine broke, pushed the button to unlock the car and it literally fell apart in my hand. Must have dropped it somewhere and it cracked.

So I called the local extortionist...I mean, dealer, and was quoted a replacement for $250!.
Really? How much electronic computer crap can be in this 2" piece of plastic?
I could by a 32" flatscreen tv & a tablet for that much!

So I look online in the car forums, see the suggestion to buy from Ebay or a jobber site and reprogramm yourself, cost about $40. As usual about 50/50 for reviews on if it works ok. Anyone here try that? Any ideas?

[drquest]

I had to buy a key fob for my FJ Cruiser and programmed it myself. Just find one on eBay or there's sellers on Amazon as well and save $$.

[Mego Magyar]

If the electronics are still good buy a replacement on eBay and switch out the electronics into the new plastic case. I've done that and no need for reprogramming

[johnnystorm]

When I came home tonight I found a piece that had falIen on the front porch, so I was able to reassemble everything and using the standby of all REAL MEN ( Duct Tape) got it working again.
I'll look into getting a new one online cheap & swapping out the guts. Thanks for the tip.

[Duncan]

When I came home tonight I found a piece that had falIen on the front porch, so I was able to reassemble everything and using the standby of all REAL MEN ( Duct Tape) got it working again.
I'll look into getting a new one online cheap & swapping out the guts. Thanks for the tip.

Congrats. I hate the idea of paying so much for something like that.

[cjefferys]

$250 is nuts! I'm going to be very careful with mine after knowing that.

[VintageMike]

You should be able to find an uncut replacement for much cheaper on Ebay. You can then take it anywhere that cuts keys (if you have an original, any kind) and they'll cut it to the original cheap.

[johnnystorm]

You should be able to find an uncut replacement for much cheaper on Ebay. You can then take it anywhere that cuts keys (if you have an original, any kind) and they'll cut it to the original cheap.

Oh, it wasn't the KEY key, it was the pushbutton thing. Of which (supposedly) there can be only two per car. Although the dealer told me they had to make the key or I risked the electronic system becoming inoperable, thereby incurring even more vastly expensive repairs. I don't know if that's entirely true, but obviously I can see how you might not want to risk it for a couple hundred bucks. And it was going to be around that for the actual ignition key too. And I guess I didn't ever mention my vehicle is a Hyundai Tucson.
It's quite a racket, so BE DARN CAREFUL WITH YOUR CAR KEYS! I know I'll think about them differently!

[VintageMike]

I missed the part of the original post where Ebay was mentioned. To answer that question, I had to buy a remote when I had my old car, got it off Ebay and was able to program it using instructions online. Took a couple of tries as there is a sequence you have to do exactly right, but it worked.

[toyman]

Advance Auto did carry some of the remote shells to put the insides in if you have broken yours.

[johnnystorm]

Thats good to know. I will check that out.
Thanks!

[greensavage2000]

A lot cars have a security feature now where if you don't use a factory key the computer won't allow the car to start after that. Even if you use the factory key. The computer has to be reset. I learned this when I was trying to figure out what was wrong with my car one time. I guess there is a chip in the key it reads just like those little plastic fobs you have to swipe to open doors. I have one of those for doors where I work.

[johnnystorm]

Yes, that is basically what I was told by the dealership.