The key switch

Hi all!
Today I will post about what I changed yesterday. For years I've been yearning to get my hands on a Switchblade style key fob for my Volvo. So I finally decided to buy a complete case with an uncut blade from ebay.It was cheap, about 30 $. Normally I would have made another post with the unboxing of the key, but this time, I didn't really like the seller so I will not do such a post and will not recommend him because the delivery took more than a month. The key is very nice and functional, but the wait was terrible.

So let's get down to business:

Here's the new uncut key next to my old key. Notice to the left there is a small screw that came with the new key.

So what I did first was to disassemble the new key completely and take the uncut key out. I bought this type of case which is not OEM, it is a replica, because it can be dismantled completely  and therefore I can use all the electronic parts from my old fob in it, therefore, after all the process is done, I have a working key, without having the need to go to the dealer and program it.

If you choose to go the same way I did, when you try to take out the key, pry apart the 2 plastic parts holding the key gently, because there is a spring inside.

I got the key cut at a specialised store (I was surprised how little it was, about 3-4$)

My old key again, with the blade (now cut) and the top part of the key fob

And a quick reassembly of the top part holding the cut key (just to test how difficult it is)

This key case I bought didn't come with any electronics. So it was up to me to insert my electronics from my key. First I started with the easy task of switching the motherboard. It is very easy to do. You only have one 8T torx screw that holds your remote in place. Unscrew, and separate gently.

Here you can see the remote electronic board moved it the new remote.

I also transferred the metallic contact for the battery from my old remote, the new one didn't had one but has a place where it fits perfectly.

Now the next challenge: To get the transponder out of my original key and into the new one. Note: without the transponder chip, your new key will open your car and turn on the ignition but the engine will not start and you will get a fault code.

Here is where the transponder chip will fit.

Now... where can it be? WARNING (Slasher movie pics following)

For this part I had the aid of my brother in law. So, where to cut first? I decided to cut on the left side of the key when holding the key with the manufacturer stamp up. Basically, on one side of my key is stamped Valeo (manufacturer) and on the other is Made in (somewhere). And after a few slices, in the other parts of the key, because I couldn't find any references as to where the chip is located, I started going deeper in the original place where I started cutting.

 So I passed the soft plastic layer, then a hard plastic, and going deeper I found another layer of soft plastic.

Blue arrow soft plastic, green arrow hard plastic

That moment I knew we found it. So we started cutting the top side of the plastic to find a hole to get it out and sure enough, after a few layers of plastic here it was:

I also took another picture with flash on so that you can see better the glass case of the chip

Here is the transponder chip located. Picture taken after I removed the soft plastic cover using only my finger nails so not to accidentally destroy the transponder

Using a wooden toothpick I pried the transponder chip out noting the position.

 After all this, I placed the transponder in the new casing where I showed you, reassembled the key, and voila: new switchblade key fob conversion completed.

Final result:

The upper part of the new key fob (the one holding the key, transponder, spring and the silver button) will need to be glued shut so that it will not accidentally dismantle when you turn the key in the ignition.

Hope you liked what you've read. If you consider doing this yourself and find yourself in trouble, or if you need advice, or if you just want to share opinions, please use the comment section below. 

  

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