How To Repair a Ford F-150 F-250 F-350 Key Fob

The F-150, F-250, F-350 are all examples of Ford F-Series trucks.  Most Ford Key Fobs can be repaired using replacement cases.

In 1992 and previous years, the Ford F-Series had no factory keyless entry system.  Anyone who has a 1992 or earlier Ford F-Series Pickup Truck that has a keyless entry system, it is either an aftermarket system of some particular brand or it is a Ford Dealership installed system.  If it is a dealership installed system then probably it is made by Code Alarm (Code Systems USA.).

The Code Alarm key fob case is discontinued so you won’t be able to buy replacement cases for it.  You can buy an old used remote that is still in good condition and use the case to repair your old remote.  It may or may not have a screw depending when it was made. Make sure to remove the screw before you try to open the case.  It uses battery 23A. It would be wise to replace the battery at the same time as replacing the case.

From 1993 – 1997 the Ford F-Series used a 3 button ford remote which never had replacement cases available for it.  So you can buy an old used remote that is still in good condition and use the case to repair your old remote. It uses two of battery CR2016. 

From 1998 – 2010 the Ford F-Series used a 3 button Ford remote which does have replacement cases available online.  Buying the cases from a reputable online seller is important to get one that is of good quality which will outlast your use of the car.  It’s not fun to replace the case every couple of years due to poor quality manufacturing. It uses one CR2032 battery.

From 2011 – 2016 the Ford F-Series could use a 3 or 4 button remote head key.  Replacement cases are made for it so you can open your old remote head key and transfer the innards to the replacement case, close it and have a locksmith cut the new key blade to match the old one.  No programming would be necessary. It uses one CR2032 battery. When ordering the replacement case, make sure it looks identical inside and outside or else it is likely not to fit. Ford discontinued original remote head keys and replaced them with a different design so if you buy the wrong design case it will not fit.

From 2015 – 2019 the Ford F-Series could use a Ford Flipkey remote.  Replacement cases are available for these flipkey remotes.  You can open your old flipkey remote and transfer the innards to the replacement case, then close it.  It uses one CR2032 battery.

From 2015 – 2019 the Ford F-Series could use a Ford Smart Key Remote.  Replacement cases are available for these smart key remotes. You can open your old smart key remote and transfer the innards to the replacement case, then close it.  It uses one CR2450 battery. 

To replace a case:

  1. Remove a screw, if any.
  2. Find the seam that separates the front and back halves of the case.
  3. Use a flathead screwdriver or coin to twist that seam apart.  There is usually a spot designed for that twisting motion. Use that spot rather than randomly choosing a spot.  Doing it in the wrong position will leave marks on the plastic and possibly cause it to crack.
  4. Remove the circuit board and battery from the old case.
  5. Put them into the new case.
  6. Make sure the battery is oriented in the correct position with the positive and negative side facing the correct direction.
  7. Close the front and back halves of the case.
  8. Put the screw in, if any.