Stripped screw in key fob

[RegDunlop]

Originally Posted by Tuck & Jack

I just did this last weekend. Use the tip of a very fine drill bit to start a conical depression in the screw, then get a bit set for a electric drill/driver that removes stripped out screws. Use firm but gentle pressure and slow speed to remove it. My set cost about $8 for a set of 3 double ended bits. I used the smallest one to back out the stripped out screw then open the key fob and replace the battery then go to the dealer and get two new screws (one for now and one for the eventual stripping of that one) for $2 each. $12 dollars vs. whatever it costs to get a new key, get it cut and coded. I guess you can decide.

i have the same problem with one of my keys....where did you find a set small enough for that screw.. i saw one in sears but didnt have the key with me and wasnt sure it was small enough

[blu_twstd_steel]

That screw is a pain... I snapped the head off also a few weeks ago. I removed the plastic cover and used my Dremel with a thin cutting wheel to cut a groove in the top of the screw. Then used a small flat blade screwdriver to back it out. Replaced the screw with one from Costco optical department. I didn't use locktite, so taking it out next time should be easy. We have two Hondas, so when the second transmitter battery crapped out, I heated the screw head with a small soldering iron. The heat loosens the blue locktite and then you can get the screw out easily.

[sjlee]

Originally Posted by blu_twstd_steel

That screw is a pain... I snapped the head off also a few weeks ago. I removed the plastic cover and used my Dremel with a thin cutting wheel to cut a groove in the top of the screw. Then used a small flat blade screwdriver to back it out. Replaced the screw with one from Costco optical department. I didn't use locktite, so taking it out next time should be easy. We have two Hondas, so when the second transmitter battery crapped out, I heated the screw head with a small soldering iron. The heat loosens the blue locktite and then you can get the screw out easily.

How did you figure out what size screw to get from the optical dept? Or is there just a standard size for glasses that is the same size as the one in the fob?

[blu_twstd_steel]

Trail and error. I just brought the key with me and we tried a few until one fit without binding or cross threading. Any optical store will have a ton of these small screws.

[doublesharp]

I've got a 2006 Pilot and both remotes are dead. Last one died yesterday. I did a google search and found a couple tips. Said its a phillips size 0 screw head. The battery is a 1616. I know that's correct. Also said there is chemical sealant on the screw thread. There is. The screw is surprisingly long and there is blue on about the first 4 threads. looks like loctite.

I used pb blaster, no good. Heated the screwdriver over a tea candle, no good. Finally cut the key side edge off the plastic housing and used a small screwdriver to pry the shell apart. Got the screw out with needlenose pliers. Changed the battery and snapped the housing back together. There was enough housing left for the screw to bite good and it works fine. The fit is not as tight as before but not bad. A royal pain!

I'd like to know how they remove the screws at the dealership. My guess is they use a quality hardened screwdriver and something like pb blaster. I've got an 08 Ridgeline that has the same type key.

[whizmo]

I've removed several of these screws - they're tight, but I've had good luck using the correct jeweler's screwdriver AND using vice-grips on the shank of the driver to turn the screw. This way you can keep steady/hard pressure to keep the driver engaged to the screw head so it doesn't cam out while you independently apply steady torque to the screw.

- Mark

[rka4570]

I took my key into the dealer. They weren't able to remove the screw and ended up replacing the remote.

[sjlee]

Originally Posted by rka4570

I took my key into the dealer. They weren't able to remove the screw and ended up replacing the remote.

Did they charge you for the new remote?

[jl_ss]

Timely thread. I just had to replace a battery in one of our keys. Used an eyeglass screwdriver very carefully and backed off on any indication of stripping. I made sure to maintain a force in the direction of the screwdriver to keep it from twisting out of the slot. It came loose after a few tries.

[doublesharp]

Originally Posted by jl_ss

Timely thread. I just had to replace a battery in one of our keys. Used an eyeglass screwdriver very carefully and backed off on any indication of stripping. I made sure to maintain a force in the direction of the screwdriver to keep it from twisting out of the slot. It came loose after a few tries.

What year is your Pilot? Mine is an 06 and both remotes were dead. Wonder how many people with older than 06 models are still using original battery?

I seldom drive our Pilot and my wife was getting ready to leave on a week long shopping trip. She was leaving at 6:30 am Sat and told me the remote was dead at 7:30 pm Fri night. I thought about telling her tough luck, find a dealer on the road, but then figured I'd give it a shot. That turned into a challenge. I had 2 sets of cheap precision screwdrivers. The fit was pretty good but the screw driver steel wasn't. I didn't strip the screw, I rounded the screw driver. I'd let pb blaster soak for over an hour and I tried heating the screw driver tip over a tea candle. I put the sdriver in vice grips, no good. Finally I took the plastic edge off the front tip of the key housing and used a flat tip screw driver in the slot on the side and just forcefully pried the housing off. Then I used a pair of needle nose pliers to break the seal and then my 2nd screwdriver to get the screw out.

A bubba job all the way but it worked and the screw still got a good enough bite that the remote won't fall apart. I may drop a bit of super glue on the corner for insurance. I was surprised how long that screw was. My screw had a blue thread sealer on about the first 3 threads but I think a quality jewelers screw driver would do the job. My screwdrivers are about 4" long and have a spinning knob on the handle. OK for glasses but not good enough for the heavy torque required for this little screw. Way overkill on this one Honda. Surprised you don't sell a special $70 tool like you do for the running boards on a Ridgeline.

[rka4570]

Originally Posted by sjlee

Did they charge you for the new remote?

Nope, they replaced it for free.

[jl_ss]

Originally Posted by doublesharp

what year is your pilot? Mine is an 06 and both remotes were dead. Wonder how many people with older than 06 models are still using original battery?

2005

[legendaryyaj]

Replaced mine not to long ago and my spare is dead now. Weird as I never touch the spare. Took mine to the dealer and they had to break the case and put in new screw. Cost me $18 and that was it. No need to reprogram as he just swapped to new case. Car is a 06 btw

[sujadi]

I've used drill bit less size compare to the screw and drill slowly and stop as it hit the key.. right away you can remove the cover and change the battery, covred it up again and apply a dub of super glue to the part being drilled...

[rugbyflanker]

Is there a trend here with 2006 pilots and dead key fobs? My 2006 Pilot key stopped working 2 months ago. I replaced the battery and it worked fine for about a month and then died again. I replaced the battery again (and again) and cleaned the contacts, etc. but my key fob is totally dead. Now I'm resigned to the fact that I need to make a trip to the dealer for a replacement. My second key fob (that my wife uses) works fine still but I'm expecting that to die soon too...