Order a new key case shell at low cost

Sidney

Sidney

New Member
Messages
23
This thread seemed to die a death.

But I was looking for some rocker panel kick plates for a Fiat 500 and found a key fob. I'd replaced the key surround on the 500 a few days ago so ordered one up.

So it's not plastic primed and painted like the original and its made from blue plastic - not ideal but well worth replacing the battered and chipped key fob on my QPV.


Img_3753a.jpgImg_3753.jpg
 
Sidney

Sidney

New Member
Messages
23
Well it's from AliExpress a sort of eBay operated by Alibaba.

Anyway it's here... http://www.aliexpress.com/item/2014-Newest-Item-BRAND-NEW-REPLACEMENT-Shell-Remote-Key-3-Button-for-Maserati-with-logo/1886962539.html

If your key is like mine you'll see the transponder inside the the fob NOT mounted on the PCB. It looks like a glass vial and is stuck to the housing with some black stuff. It'll take some fettling with a dremel or similar to release it from the old key fob - but it's better than watching the soaps on TV.

NB to take apart the old keyfob you really do need to put it in the oven! I preheated to 120°C and left it in for 5 minutes. Use a thin strong 2 or 3mm flat-head screwdriver and levered off the badge to find the screw underneath.
 
Ewan

Ewan

Member
Messages
6,825
Order placed. But with delivery taking between 15 and 29 days, I'll not hold my breath!
 
J

JonnyCJ

New Member
Messages
270
I've ordered a pair and given the seller a link to the website so he can come on and offer us a club discount.
 
J

JonnyCJ

New Member
Messages
270
He certainly stepped up to the plate in terms of delivery. Two new cases arrived yesterday, together with the badges !

You can safely destroy your old chipped case (but not the chip inside) to get it apart.

Not done mine yet, but my way to do it would be a small drill bit at the side of the badge to allow you to get a jeweller's screwdriver under the old badge and then lever off the case.

Heating the whole gubbins up is a bit of a risk to my mind as you could potentially upset the internals. All you need to do is get under the badge to be able to get at the screw.

No more chipped key cases - hooray !
 
hodroyd

hodroyd

Member
Messages
14,150
It's a wonder you did not melt the solder joints at 120 degC, is this the only way to get in to the casing..??
 
hodroyd

hodroyd

Member
Messages
14,150
I've got a few strands left and they are handy to dry the dog if needs be, but better than baking the whole fob in the oven I would have thought..!!
 
CatmanV2

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,849
JonH said:
One needs hair to own a hair dryer!
:battered:
Click to expand...

Not strictly true. I have one from when I had to defrost the condensate drain on the boiler. (It now has a trace heater).

I have not enough hair to do *anything* with.

C
 
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