2014 / 2015 Key Fob disassembly and board swap

[2Speed]

A little back story. I recently picked up a 2014 Sierra SLE Z71 Texas Edition. It's loaded with every option I wanted except power fold mirrors, which I can live without. And I realize I may be in the minority, but I really don't like the LED headlights on the SLT. Just a personal preference. I LOVE the truck so far.

 

SO... this truck purchase was kind of an impulse buy, and I didn't do a lot of research beforehand. When they handed me the keys, I thought "Wow, what a cheap looking key fob". My buddy's 2014 Ford Escape came with a MUCH nicer fob, and it's an econo-box suv. I noticed my sister-in-law's key fob on her 2015 Yuk SLT had a nice chrome edging and the GMC logo. I had to have one! But buying one and PAYING the stealer to program it seems ridiculous to me.

 

I purchased a brand new fob off eBay for $44 shipped, with the intention of swapping the boards out, and selling my old fob back on ebay.

 

I searched for a write-up on the forums, but couldn't find one, so I decided to go it alone. Here is how I did it, for anyone else is thing of doing it.

 

It's really pretty straightforward, with just a couple of 'gotchas' to look out for.

 

Tools needed:

#0 Philips screwdriver

m1.8 or similar size flat blade screwdriver

shiny new penny

 

 

Step 1:

Start with the old fob. Pop the back off with a penny, and remove the battery. I tried several things, and a penny really does work best!

 

 

Step 2:

Next, take a #0 PHILIPS screwdriver or similar (a round item actually works much better than a flat head) and PUSH it into one of the holes identified in the photo. Use firm but gentle pressure, and push the screwdriver straight in, no twisting. The edge will pop open. Repeat in the other hole, then remove the screwdriver. Now pull the housing apart with your fingers. It will pop right open. Turn the housing over and shake it. The board should fall out. It's not fastened to the case at all. Set these parts aside for now.

 

 

Step 3:

Grab your new fob. Open the back and remove the battery as before. Now here's the most difficult part of the project. Because the two outer chrome metal pieces are solid, not split, they actually hold the two case halves together. There is a very specific way to remove them; any other way will damage the fob. I know this because I did it wrong the first time!

 

Turn the fob face down, as seen in the picture. Using a small flat blade screwdriver (I used an m1.8) push the blade under the chrome edging in the area identified in the photos. Pry one end loose and hold it tight (don't let it snap back!) as you remove the blade and pry the other end off. Once the tabs release, the chrome edging can be pulled free. Repeat for the other side. Now you will notice 4 small plastic tabs on the edges of the case. Gently pry these back with the flat blade screwdriver, and pull the housing apart.

 

 

From here, you're home free! The board will fall right out as before. Place your programmed board in the new case, and snap the pieces back together in the reverse order. Put the 'new' unprogrammed board in your old housing and sell it, give it away, or keep as a spare. Test your new fob. Mine worked great. Now you don't have to be ashamed of that boring plain fob when you're showing off your fancy new truck!

 

 

Hope this helps!

Edited November 8, 2014 by 2Speed

[Ventilator]

Looks nice, but still don't blow your mirrors back.

[Spurshot]

Why didn't you just program the new fob?

[EaZ8]

Why didn't you just program the new fob?

can you do that without the dealership?

any idea how many remotes you can program to the truck?

 

 

OP - i guess you out bid me.... i also think the remote feels cheap, already had 1 break, they replaced it.

[2Speed]

The dealership has to program a new fob. You can't do it. And they charge for that "service".

[MMC]

Programming Transmitters to

the Vehicle

Only RKE transmitters programmed

to this vehicle will work. If a

transmitter is lost or stolen, a

replacement can be purchased and

programmed through your dealer.

Each vehicle can have up to

eight transmitters programmed to it.

See your dealer for transmitter

programming

[Jerry's Denali]

I just took the chrome edging/strips off one of my SLT remotes and put in on my dads basic remote. 10 second job, they snapped right on.

Edited November 10, 2014 by jericbarg

[DougOhio]

Fell in the creek and key fob was in my pocket. It was wet but not for long. Eberything is working fine but need to know if there are any precautions I should take make 100% sure its dried out? and if so, how to dry it out?

[355HP Z71]

Just started to change the battery in my key fob . Did it just like it says in the owners manual . Used a coin to pry the cover open and in the process both of the plastic tabs on the top of the cover broke off ! ! These fobs are nothing but cheap plastic !! Going to call the dealer tomorrow and see if they will replace it under warranty.

[ricker6869]

Did this...worked out great !

[redwngr]

Fell in the creek and key fob was in my pocket. It was wet but not for long. Eberything is working fine but need to know if there are any precautions I should take make 100% sure its dried out? and if so, how to dry it out?

Bury the fob in a ziplock full of dehydrated rice for a couple days.

[BeastCobbM5]

I just took the chrome edging/strips off one of my SLT remotes and put in on my dads basic remote. 10 second job, they snapped right on.

It would be great if you could somehow just buy the chrome edges. I guess life just isn't fair.

[Smoothbassman]

I'm still not understanding myself why GM hasn't gone keyless yet. These fobs are outdated. Dodge and Ford have had way better fobs than this crap for fove years now. Time to move to the new tech GM.

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

[Cowboyman]

I just took the chrome edging/strips off one of my SLT remotes and put in on my dads basic remote. 10 second job, they snapped right on.

 

 

You mean you can take the chrome edging off this remote (top) and just put it on the remote without the chrome (bottom) ?

 

If so this is super, I figured you'd have to completely swap the guts like the top post in this thread.

 

 

 

[Imcrazy]

I agree the LT and SLE FOBS are cheap looking at best.