Key fob battery replacement problem

[Poundy]

So today I got the key fob replace Battery come up on the dash, no sweat until I come to replace it.

Mine is the fob that slides down to reveal a Battery cover with 4 tiny screws.  Unfortunately the heads at some stage have been damaged so the screwdriver is unable to remove them.. Even so  I have managed to loosen 3 of the 4 but the last is going nowhere, any suggestions?

Of cause the bigger picture is if I can get the last one out where will I get replacement ones to put in, not a dealer likely part I guess probably want to replace the fob lol!

I also checked the spare fob while at it and that looks like it could create a similar problem but have left it well alone at present, until I find a solution. if I can. 🙄

 

 

[Stompe]

I would try a Watchmaker, Good Luck! 

[royoftherovers]

My Dealer does mine for nothing.

[Poundy]

22 minutes ago, royoftherovers said:

My Dealer does mine for nothing.

I might take a drive over and hope they can get the screws out and have replacement new ones in stock.

I have a service plan and warranty with them so perhaps they will look after me ☺️

 

[Herbie]

2 hours ago, Poundy said:

Of cause the bigger picture is if I can get the last one out where will I get replacement ones to put in, not a dealer likely part I guess probably want to replace the fob lol!

B&Q, Homebase, Wickes, eBay, amazon, local hardware shop, junk box out in the garage or shed, etc., etc., or even a local fixings and fasteners place like this one near me:

There's nothing special or Lexus-specific about them. If you intend to buy locally just take one with you to compare.

As for getting the last screw out, if the head is really knackered just drill it out using a Dremel or similar. As a last resort, if you can at least get rid of the head, even if you have to leave the shaft of the screw in place, the other three screws will be enough to hold the cover on.

[Poundy]

Took it to Lexus, who managed to get 3 of the 4 screws out of both fobs, they then bent the cover over the remaining damaged screw, inserted 2 new batteries, bent it back over and secured it with the remaining 3 screws.

Not an ideal outcome but it has delayed the inevitable for at least the life of these 2 new batteries. I will then put the ball back in their court when the time arrives for replacement again. 😃

No charge and a coffee and biscuit while I waited. lol!

[royoftherovers]

Very smart, Norman.

[Herbie]

3 hours ago, royoftherovers said:

Very smart, Norman.

But is it really John?

No offence Norman, but you could have done exactly what Lexus did without the effort and expense of getting there.

I'll be honest, the words 'mountain' and 'molehill' did pop into my head when you were talking of going to Lexus for them to deal with one tiny little screw but as it turns out they didn't deal with it at all.

It's a very easy job to DIY (if you were closer I'd do it for you myself) but even if you don't want to DIY then any place that replaces watch batteries or does mobile phone repairs would be happy to do the job for you.

[royoftherovers]

2 hours ago, Herbie said:

But is it really John?

No offence Norman, but you could have done exactly what Lexus did without the effort and expense of getting there.

I'll be honest, the words 'mountain' and 'molehill' did pop into my head when you were talking of going to Lexus for them to deal with one tiny little screw but as it turns out they didn't deal with it at all.

It's a very easy job to DIY (if you were closer I'd do it for you myself) but even if you don't want to DIY then any place that replaces watch batteries or does mobile phone repairs would be happy to do the job for you.

Yet more sensible words from you my Professorial Spakie friend.

I`m still with Norman on this one.You see, I am duffer at anything that requires any form of technical knowledge of any kind and I would be content to spend a few days at Base Camp with my new friend Norman before we walk up to see the nice man at the summit and let him do all the work for absolutely nowt.

[Poundy]

5 hours ago, Herbie said:

But is it really John?

No offence Norman, but you could have done exactly what Lexus did without the effort and expense of getting there.

I'll be honest, the words 'mountain' and 'molehill' did pop into my head when you were talking of going to Lexus for them to deal with one tiny little screw but as it turns out they didn't deal with it at all.

It's a very easy job to DIY (if you were closer I'd do it for you myself) but even if you don't want to DIY then any place that replaces watch batteries or does mobile phone repairs would be happy to do the job for you.

Hi Herbie, 

There was not really any expense, they gave the batteries and coffee FOC which cost more than my fuel lol!

I tried the local watch/key fob guys who were unable to assist me.

My reasoning for going to Lexus was I was hopeful that they would have the screws in their consumables bin, also the tools to extract the damaged ones and insert the new ones job done. Alas it wasn't the case but at least they have fitted 2 new batteries to the fobs and I can now get it sorted at my leisure.

The hard part being to find the correct 8 small screws which will mean as you suggested probably shopping around local fastener retailers, as they certainly not in my odds and sods box and I doubt I will find the likes in the local hardware shop. Once they are in my possession I will set about extracting the old ones, now I have sourced the methods of extraction. 

I appreciate the input and advice but was reluctant to proceed with your diy method of grinding the one off and letting the remaining 3 do the work as that wouldn't have really solved the issue just added another dimension to the problem, The only thing that works for me is initially getting the necessary fasteners then I will sort the problem out by hook or by crook, just being a bit lazy I guess, it's my wife's car  ☺️ But thanks all for the help 👍

[Herbie]

17 minutes ago, Poundy said:

I appreciate the input and advice but was reluctant to proceed with your diy method of grinding the one off and letting the remaining 3 do the work

In my defence I did say that that was an absolute last resort

Things to try before getting to that point would have been to squirt a small quantity of release oil such as WD40 on the screw head, let it soak in and then try a rubber band / piece of duct tape / piece of PTFE tape or even a small ball of wire wool between the screw head and the screwdriver bit.

If that didn't work, then it would be time to break out the big guns and use a left-handed drill bit and/or a screw extractor.

Perhaps even drill out the old screw and tap a new thread.

There's numerous ways of doing it but suppose it all depends on having the tools (which I have) and if you like to tinker (or don't like to be beaten). You could always take the opportunity to justify buying the toys I mean tools, so that you have them for future use

[Poundy]

1 minute ago, Herbie said:

In my defence I did say that that was an absolute last resort

Things to try before getting to that point would have been to squirt a small quantity of release oil such as WD40 on the screw head, let it soak in and then try a rubber band / piece of duct tape / piece of PTFE tape or even a small ball of wire wool between the screw head and the screwdriver bit.

If that didn't work, then it would be time to break out the big guns and use a left-handed drill bit and/or a screw extractor.

Perhaps even drill out the old screw and tap a new thread.

There's numerous ways of doing it but suppose it all depends on having the tools (which I have) and if you like to tinker (or don't like to be beaten). You could always take the opportunity to justify buying the toys I mean tools, so that you have them for future use

I am definitely a tool freak  and although now retired did 50 yrs in the motor trade Wholesale Motorfactor in my 20's to ground up high end Car (mainly Mercedes) and Motorcycle restorations. I am sourcing the tiny screw extraction tools as we speak lol!

When I locate the screws I will order several spares in case any members need a few  😃

[Superduner]

amazon list loads of collections of small screws for not too much money.  Just measure the diameter and length and do a search.

Of course you then end up with 200 small screws that you will probably never use........

[Poundy]

15 hours ago, Superduner said:

amazon list loads of collections of small screws for not too much money.  Just measure the diameter and length and do a search.

Of course you then end up with 200 small screws that you will probably never use........

So measuring is a bit of a hit and miss thing being so small, I estimated as near as my old eyes allow, for them to be a big 1mm in diameter probably 1.2 mm and about 3mm in length. I have ordered an assorted box of 1.2mm and 1.4mm etc watch and specs screws of eBay for around £3.50. I also ordered a micro set of easy outs for £4, just in case the less invasive extraction methods fail to bear fruit 😉

I should have them in about a week and will let you know if it went well  lol!

I did phone Lexus parts first to see if they could supply the correct screws for the fob, I would have been better off talking to next doors cat, the more I explained the problem the more confused he got, to the point that the only suggestion he could come up with was a pair of new key fobs. 🤣🙄.

 

[Malc]

a blessed relief then to go to the Lexus main dealer to get the temporary / permanent fix ................. AND coffee and bikkies 

Malc

[JeffL]

22 hours ago, Herbie said:

In my defence I did say that that was an absolute last resort

Things to try before getting to that point would have been to squirt a small quantity of release oil such as WD40 on the screw head, let it soak in and then try a rubber band / piece of duct tape / piece of PTFE tape or even a small ball of wire wool between the screw head and the screwdriver bit.

If that didn't work, then it would be time to break out the big guns and use a left-handed drill bit and/or a screw extractor.

Perhaps even drill out the old screw and tap a new thread.

There's numerous ways of doing it but suppose it all depends on having the tools (which I have) and if you like to tinker (or don't like to be beaten). You could always take the opportunity to justify buying the toys I mean tools, so that you have them for future use

Some good suggestions there Herbs! I've copied it for future reference. Thanks.

[200h]

if it was just the head of the screw thats of no use

once lexus had removed the cover would it of been

possible for them to use some pliers around the head

of the screw and then unscrew it, if this wasn't possible

mix a bit of araldite and glue a small screwdriver to the

head of the screw once the glue has dried you may be lucky

[Poundy]

3 hours ago, 200h said:

if it was just the head of the screw thats of no use

once lexus had removed the cover would it of been

possible for them to use some pliers around the head

of the screw and then unscrew it, if this wasn't possible

mix a bit of araldite and glue a small screwdriver to the

head of the screw once the glue has dried you may be lucky

Hi Mark

I am just making sure the right size new screw are in my possession before I try and get the damaged ones out, as they certainly wont be reusable 😉

With the info I have gleaned off you guy's and google, I am sure they will be coming out lol!

[Poundy]

Mini extractors arrived today sizes go from 0 to 4 so the 0 should suffice, still waiting on the new screws though, hopefully they will be the right size.

[Poundy]

Well that was a time consuming job, but little else to do in lockdown. 🤣

The Extractors removed the bad screw heads easy for me. The broken cover corners that had been previously caused by the tech leaving the bad screw in place and lifting the cover for Battery replacement, I fixed with Araldite. 

The only real pain is getting the screws as they are a specialised head size. 

Mainly because of the head depth in relation to the cover being able to slide on and off for access.

The required screw size is 1.6mm thread diameter, 3mm thread length  with a head diameter of 3mm and a head depth of only 0.9mm.

The only ones close to that  my searches / enquires came up with were 3 correct dimension but a pan head with a head depth of 1.42mm in SS. What's half a mill me thinks, sod all, but alas it was too much to allow the fob cover to slide back on. I got round it by sanding inside the fob cover to give a little extra clearance and a film of WD40. Job done.

Now back to the Honda BlackBirds fuel injection strip down 😁