DIY: Make your key FOB look new! Replacing your Key FOB Housing (Non-CA or CA)

ssmith96 · 03-04-2013, 08:27 AM

How to: Replace your BMW key fob housing and make your key look like new!

While this guide is very simple, I posted it because there was a lot of uncertainty on the forums as to whether or not this can be done, so I wanted to document once and for all that it can, and very simply. I also wanted my first thread to be of something useful and to contribute to the community

Step 0: Buy a FOB housing. This is pretty simple, I got mine off of ebay for 25 dollars, I'm not sure if its okay to put a link, but for me searching "key fob housing e90 bmw" or some combination of those keywords worked for me.

Step 1: Bring out the disgusting fob whose housing you want to replace, here's mine:

Step 2: Remove the key.

Step 3: Using a flathead screwdriver, pry the case open in the same spot shown in this picture:

Do not be afraid to go inside that little hole and pry from there too, for me, it popped right open by prying it there.

Note: If you are having trouble DO NOT PRY inside the keyhole aiming towards the top of the fob (side with buttons) aim it down, as there are electronics above. Be careful when prying anywhere else but the spot shown in the picture. I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE IF YOU DAMAGE YOUR FOB.

(The case cracked open)

Step 4: Remove the circuit board.

Step 5: Place the board into the bottom half of the key fob, making sure that the 3 little indentations (one on the bottom two on the top) line up properly.

Step 6: Snap the two halves of the case together and enjoy your new key!

Eric335 · 03-04-2013, 09:33 PM

Thanks for the DIY. Looks rather simple, but i wouldnt have tried it without this. Thanks!

ssmith96 · 03-04-2013, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric335

Thanks for the DIY. Looks rather simple, but i wouldnt have tried it without this. Thanks!

Welcome! I was nervous to try as well as it has only been discussed on the forum with no one really talking about doing it, but as it turns out its pretty easy.

charles.soori · 03-05-2013, 01:26 AM

I think this only works on CA keys.

ssmith96 · 03-05-2013, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charles.soori

I think this only works on CA keys.

That's not a CA key

charles.soori · 03-05-2013, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssmith96

Quote:

Originally Posted by charles.soori

I think this only works on CA keys.

That's not a CA key

then got to know it works on reg key.

Delusive · 03-13-2013, 10:37 PM

I bought my key housing couple days ago for the same price and was going to do this also. I didn't know this DIY thread existed till today but i'm surprised it's easy peasy.

By the way great write up

ssmith96 · 03-14-2013, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JS-NA.E92

I bought my key housing couple days ago for the same price and was going to do this also. I didn't know this DIY thread existed till today but i'm surprised it's easy peasy.

By the way great write up

Thanks! When I did it there was uncertianty and no guide so I figured I would put one together!

Let me know how it goes.

pepsih · 03-15-2013, 10:23 AM

Thx for this diy i was wondering if i could do this. Will do it asap

DSMe92 · 03-16-2013, 11:14 PM

My fob is just a little faded but the buttons look good. Will armor all or a similar product make it look better without having to take it apart?

e90mbition · 05-23-2013, 12:09 PM

any glue required??

e90mbition · 05-23-2013, 12:22 PM

will dot his to my key as the logo has gone bad

tropical335i · 05-23-2013, 11:24 PM

You have the part number for the new casing by chance?

ssmith96 · 05-24-2013, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tropical335i

You have the part number for the new casing by chance?

Not a BMW part I believe, its just something for sale on ebay

07328icoupe · 08-03-2013, 06:40 AM

Yeah you can buy the housing on ebay and a guy sells new fob stickers also.

alfazrus · 08-15-2013, 03:12 AM

Just did this yesterday. It took literally under 5 minutes. Thank you for the DIY.

ssmith96 · 08-15-2013, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alfazrus

Just did this yesterday. It took literally under 5 minutes. Thank you for the DIY.

Welcome! I'm glad you liked it.

dwells · 08-16-2013, 02:18 PM

Looks like an awfully big circuit board for very little in the way of components. Looks like you could make one the third of the size...

Someone do it so I can implant it in my hand. Or maybe just carry it in my wallet.

zapd0s · 09-10-2013, 12:04 PM

Just did this today, easy as can be. Thanks!

Update - the key FOB I bought off of eBay doesn't fit perfectly into the slot. The BMW center logo/lock button protrudes out more than the OEM keyfob did so I have to force it into the ignition, then do a shimmy-shake to get it out. The DIY guide is great, but the product I chose is just OK.

matthew721 · 09-25-2013, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alfazrus

Just did this yesterday. It took literally under 5 minutes. Thank you for the DIY.

Where did you buy yours from? Some people posted theirs didn't fit perfectly, if yours did, could you post details on your seller? Thanks

StartedFromTheBottom · 09-29-2013, 07:38 PM

love this DIY

tigermack · 09-29-2013, 07:43 PM

How can you get your key fob to that stage in the first place...?! lol

03-04-2013, 08:27 AM	#1
ssmith96 Banned 78 Rep 1,038 Posts Drives: 07 328xi Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (2)	DIY: Make your key FOB look new! Replacing your Key FOB Housing (Non-CA or CA) How to: Replace your BMW key fob housing and make your key look like new! While this guide is very simple, I posted it because there was a lot of uncertainty on the forums as to whether or not this can be done, so I wanted to document once and for all that it can, and very simply. I also wanted my first thread to be of something useful and to contribute to the community Step 0: Buy a FOB housing. This is pretty simple, I got mine off of ebay for 25 dollars, I'm not sure if its okay to put a link, but for me searching "key fob housing e90 bmw" or some combination of those keywords worked for me. Step 1: Bring out the disgusting fob whose housing you want to replace, here's mine: Step 2: Remove the key. Step 3: Using a flathead screwdriver, pry the case open in the same spot shown in this picture: Do not be afraid to go inside that little hole and pry from there too, for me, it popped right open by prying it there. Note: If you are having trouble DO NOT PRY inside the keyhole aiming towards the top of the fob (side with buttons) aim it down, as there are electronics above. Be careful when prying anywhere else but the spot shown in the picture. I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE IF YOU DAMAGE YOUR FOB. (The case cracked open) Step 4: Remove the circuit board. Step 5: Place the board into the bottom half of the key fob, making sure that the 3 little indentations (one on the bottom two on the top) line up properly. Step 6: Snap the two halves of the case together and enjoy your new key! Last edited by ssmith96; 03-05-2013 at 05:33 AM..
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03-04-2013, 09:33 PM	#2
Eric335 Colonel 130 Rep 2,489 Posts Drives: 2007 E92 SG 335i 6MT Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: SW Florida iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW 335i [7.66]	Thanks for the DIY. Looks rather simple, but i wouldnt have tried it without this. Thanks! __________________ Last edited by Eric335; 03-04-2013 at 09:40 PM..
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03-05-2013, 01:26 AM	#4
charles.soori Second Lieutenant 23 Rep 265 Posts Drives: 2016 F85 x5m Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Ottawa,Ontario iTrader: (2)	I think this only works on CA keys.
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03-13-2013, 10:37 PM	#7
Delusive Lieutenant Colonel 136 Rep 1,598 Posts Drives: Bagged E92 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (9)	I bought my key housing couple days ago for the same price and was going to do this also. I didn't know this DIY thread existed till today but i'm surprised it's easy peasy. By the way great write up __________________ Instagram Youtube
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03-15-2013, 10:23 AM	#9
pepsih Captain 129 Rep 820 Posts Drives: f02, e24 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Long Island iTrader: (4)	Thx for this diy i was wondering if i could do this. Will do it asap
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03-16-2013, 11:14 PM	#10
DSMe92 New Member 4 Rep 14 Posts Drives: 2011 e92 335i Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: So Cal iTrader: (0)	My fob is just a little faded but the buttons look good. Will armor all or a similar product make it look better without having to take it apart?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-23-2013, 12:09 PM	#11
e90mbition First Lieutenant 16 Rep 313 Posts Drives: E46, E90 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	any glue required??
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05-23-2013, 12:22 PM	#12
e90mbition First Lieutenant 16 Rep 313 Posts Drives: E46, E90 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	will dot his to my key as the logo has gone bad
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05-23-2013, 11:24 PM	#13
tropical335i Private First Class 17 Rep 108 Posts Drives: 335i LCI MSPORT Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: mauritius iTrader: (0)	You have the part number for the new casing by chance?
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08-03-2013, 06:40 AM	#15
07328icoupe Private 2 Rep 82 Posts Drives: 328i Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Palm Harbor, FL iTrader: (0)	Yeah you can buy the housing on ebay and a guy sells new fob stickers also.
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08-15-2013, 03:12 AM	#16
alfazrus First Lieutenant 101 Rep 308 Posts Drives: 2006 e90 330i Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: DC iTrader: (2)	Just did this yesterday. It took literally under 5 minutes. Thank you for the DIY.
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08-16-2013, 02:18 PM	#18
dwells ಠ_ಠ 74 Rep 1,539 Posts Drives: Monaco Blue 335i coupe Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: New England iTrader: (6)	Looks like an awfully big circuit board for very little in the way of components. Looks like you could make one the third of the size... Someone do it so I can implant it in my hand. Or maybe just carry it in my wallet. __________________ \| 335i coupe \| Monaco Blue \| JB4 G5 ISO \| Style 313M \| Huper 40% tint \| Aero lip \| CSL trunk spoiler \| M3 sideskirts \| Paint-matched grilles \| Painted reflectors \| GP Thunder II angel eyes \| Smoked LED sidemarkers \| Self-coded \|
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09-10-2013, 12:04 PM	#19
zapd0s New Member 0 Rep 13 Posts Drives: '10 E92 328xi Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: MA, USA iTrader: (2)	Just did this today, easy as can be. Thanks! Update - the key FOB I bought off of eBay doesn't fit perfectly into the slot. The BMW center logo/lock button protrudes out more than the OEM keyfob did so I have to force it into the ignition, then do a shimmy-shake to get it out. The DIY guide is great, but the product I chose is just OK. Last edited by zapd0s; 09-11-2013 at 09:46 AM.. Reason: grades
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09-29-2013, 07:38 PM	#21
StartedFromTheBottom New Member 1 Rep 27 Posts Drives: 2009 328i Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: New York iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 328i [0.00]	love this DIY
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09-29-2013, 07:43 PM	#22
tigermack OPN DIFF 475 Rep 1,908 Posts Drives: 10' E90 M3 6MT LB Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Pacific Ocean iTrader: (12) Garage List 2010 M3 [0.00] 1995 BMW e36 325i [7.91] 2006 BMW e90 330i [8.34]	How can you get your key fob to that stage in the first place...?! lol __________________ '10 LB E90 slicktop/speed cloth/6MT ex. '06 330i 6MT & '10 n54 6MT Msport Autocross vids https://www.youtube.com/user/tigermack https://www.instagram.com/tigermack
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