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Decided to perform this update since my old keys are pretty worn looking, and the newer design is just cooler-looking. There are other threads on this but the photos weren't comprehensive, so I'll add mine.
Required:
1) 000 044 000 83 key housing
2) Jeweler's screwdriver or other small prying tool
3) small dab of superglue, RTV, hot glue, etc.
1) Pry open your old key using small screwdriver. Gently work around the perimeter to separate the two halves.
2) Remove the locking piece from the edge of the key by prying it up with small screwdriver
3) Remove locking spring, and then push locking cam out of its channel where the spring and locking piece were removed from
4) Pull the key blank out of the key housing. Push it into the new housing in the same orientation, and the spring-loaded latch will click and lock it in place.
5) Pry the transponder pill out of the housing using small screwdriver
6) Pry the circuit board and battery assembly out of the other half of the housing using small screwdriver to pull back one of the plastic tabs that engages a notch in the side of the circuit board.
7) My new key housing came with a transponder pill glued in place. I'm not sure if it could be made to work with my car; I just transferred over the pill from the old key rather than monkey with trying to adapt the new one. Pry the new pill out with screwdriver, then insert your old pill in its place and secure it in place with a dab of silicone adhesive, superglue, etc.
8) Install circuit board in the key housing
9) Snap the two halves of the key together and enjoy your better-looking key!
Yeah it's a total rip-off, but whatever, it's fun. At $143 for the key, I figure I drive this car at least 200 days a year, a couple trips per day, so basically over one year this upgrade costs me about $0.35 every time I start the car.
Great write-up and pics - thanks! Only caveat I would add is that the 3 small pieces shown in picture 2 can pop out because of the spring tension and seemingly disappear in the carpet - ask me how I know
Yeah it's a total rip-off, but whatever, it's fun. At $143 for the key, I figure I drive this car at least 200 days a year, a couple trips per day, so basically over one year this upgrade costs me about $0.35 every time I start the car.
I am not mocking you. I did the key update this summer, and I love it every time I pick up the key. It is just I spent $150 on two plastic pieces that provided no upgrade in functionality.
Great write-up and pics - thanks! Only caveat I would add is that the 3 small pieces shown in picture 2 can pop out because of the spring tension and seemingly disappear in the carpet - ask me how I know
Good point. My spring was pretty soft and didn't have enough oomph in it to make parts fly, but YMMV. I was not reusing those parts so wouldn't be the end of the world if they were lost.
I had the same original key as the op and purchased some replacement ones from ebay that looked different but were supposed to work with the 2 button keys..
When I tried to swap my circuit board into the key it didn't fit.. I didn't really worry about it (although I think I spent about 50 for the 2 keys to replace my 2 original ones).. But now that I am considering going with the 911 key the option went with I'm trying to see if there is any other cheaper options? I just don't like the rubber covering that looks horrible on my keys and think the plastic will hold up better. When I get home maybe I will try a bit harder and possibly Dremel it out to make it fit but was curious if anyone else has tried or saw an obvious reason why it wouldn't work..
I had the same original key as the op and purchased some replacement ones from ebay that looked different but were supposed to work with the 2 button keys..
When I tried to swap my circuit board into the key it didn't fit.. I didn't really worry about it (although I think I spent about 50 for the 2 keys to replace my 2 original ones).. But now that I am considering going with the 911 key the option went with I'm trying to see if there is any other cheaper options? I just don't like the rubber covering that looks horrible on my keys and think the plastic will hold up better. When I get home maybe I will try a bit harder and possibly Dremel it out to make it fit but was curious if anyone else has tried or saw an obvious reason why it wouldn't work..
Thanks and to the op sorry for the thread Jack
The key in your link looks more like the key for a 997. I'd be surprised if the 996 circuit board fit and the buttons all lined up to push the microswitches on the board, but if you can physically make it fit there's no reason it shouldn't be usable.
11-02-2017, 04:24 PM
Key Update DIY with Photos
