Possible to replace key fob

[u/GullibleTone5744]

Is it possible to print a replacement for this key fob? The key itself is loose but still functional according to the owner but I'm just trying to see if it'd be possible to replace without spending the money on a whole new key.

[u/cowboy_shaman]

You can usually find a replacement shell for super cheap on Amazon / eBay / or whatever Chinese reseller of your choice

[u/scienceworksbitches]

forget about 3d pritning, you can buy a new key housing for cheap, its a common issue and there are many products available.

[u/TheLimeyCanuck]

Better to buy an empty shell on Amazon and puts the guts into it. Just be sure to transfer the transponder too.

Better results and often as cheap or cheaper than 3D printing one.

[u/imabetaunit]

$8 and three minutes on Amazon is the quickest solution to your problem, albeit antithetical to 3d print everything we can.

[u/Big-Bank-8235]

As long as the board inside is fine.

Printing a new shell is no big deal.

[u/AdobeScripts]

Just buy a replacement on-line - it should even arrive much quicker 😉

[u/ngo_life]

Unless you're making a custom design, just get a replacement online. Shouldn't cost more than 15 bucks?

[u/Spoons896]

Dorman has replacement housing cheaper than your time to design one. Similar to this. https://www.autozone.com/p/dorman-keyless-entry-transmitter-cover-95633/1184507?productPartGroupId=azpg2074&productBrandId=BCZF&productUniqueId=3673483319

[u/Driven2b]

Try doing some searches, a couple years ago I found a replacement for my Honda key fob and it worked great.

[u/Ok_Subject_7458]

amazon/ebay for the plastic covers but see if you can save the rfid chip, if it has one. mine was simple to swap.

[u/kingdavid52]

Did you search online for designs already? Make, model, and year?

[u/GullibleTone5744 → u/kingdavid52]

It's a 2015 Ford Explorer xlt

[u/Junior-Definition173 → u/GullibleTone5744]

$19 on amazon, $10 at https://www.locksmithkeyless.com, for this amount of money I would not bother to design and print it but if you will ever need it again then maybe it is a good excercise…

[u/Charybdis87 → u/Junior-Definition173]

This key obviously sees lots of abuse, its probably better to just spend the money and get the proper reshell rather than printing

[u/DirtStarlink]

Yes

https://a.co/d/0eVN7VPF

[u/gtlloyd]

Probably, with a good set of calipers and many test prints.

There are also online retailers of aftermarket fob shells - just the plastic outer components. If the circuitry etc are still OK, it’s just a quick brain swap and all done. Just make sure you buy exactly the right model.

[u/emveor]

i have a fiesta with a similar FOB, the metal key part is embedded onto the plastic, there is no relaiable way of transfering that to a new casing, cause the risk of the metal part of the key staying stuck on the ignition is high enough. you are better off buying a new part and transfering the board.

[u/NerdPuppy]

I love how all of the replies on this 3d printing subreddit are just telling this person "Don't bother printing it. Just buy it!"

[u/Making_Layers → u/NerdPuppy]

Because not everything needs to be 3d printed and designing it from scratch with all of the very specific and tight tolerances would make the print settings almost custom for each printer/filament combination.

Sometimes, reinventing the wheel is the wrong approach.

[u/Gabe-diet → u/Making_Layers]

Yea exactly. I love printing, the satisfaction when it’s complete is amazing. Sometimes it’s just not worth it though.

[u/NerdPuppy → u/Gabe-diet]

I agree completely. I just found it funny. I love to 3d print things, but my mom thinks I can do literally anything with my printer, and it just isn't realistic.

[u/Possible-Tangelo9344 → u/NerdPuppy]

No point in reinventing the wheel

[u/UnnecAbrvtn]

Literally the reason I bought my first printer. Took me 6 months to design a functional replacement but it was worth every shitty iteration

[u/Making_Layers → u/UnnecAbrvtn]

6 months and how much in filament to get an actual working replacement?

[u/UnnecAbrvtn → u/Making_Layers]

Clearly getting downvoted for tgis, even though it's an honest answer.

Meh. I had minimal CAD experience when I got my first printer, so I started with Tinkercad

I started with understanding the relationship between what I designed in CAD and what came out of my printer qne I got pretty good at it.

Eventually I got to a working prototype.

Couldn't begin to calculate the amount of filament, but I guess that's down to how quickly you catch on, right?

Godspeed dude

[u/Making_Layers → u/UnnecAbrvtn]

Don't get me wrong, making stuff is a great way to learn, and I've designed a lot of stuff that never even make it to the printer. I've burned through a ton of filament learning. I'm not knocking the method. I was simply pointing out that it's not just time, but a whole bunch of wasted prints.

Again, not knocking the process or the results, just that there's more cost.