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I decided I'd had enough of fob buttons not working properly. I've tried cleaning up the contacts (many times), and have used a "bake in the oven" conductive coating to re-coat the underside of the membrane buttons, but that also wears off after a while, causing other problems. So - here's what I did...
I searched amazon for "Tactile Push Button Switch" and looked through the results until I found some momentary push-buttons that were 4mm x 4mm x 1.5mm, which I figured would fit. (
, although amazon links don't seem to work for long...)
If you look closely at each "touch pad" on the board, it comprises concentric circles that, when bridged, complete the circuit between two tracks. So - instead of completing the circuit by pressing a carbon-coated membrane onto it, I simply soldered a switch across those 2 tracks...
For each of the 4 pads, I figured out exactly where I would solder the switch contacts to the tracks. With careful orientation, I was able to find positions for all 4 that ensured the button was centered on the pad, and the contacts aligned well, without needing to bridge any gaps.
Then for each location, I removed the insulating coating from the tracks where I was planning to solder. I used a small piece of fine sandpaper (clumsily; you can see the scratches on the board).
Next, I used a blob of superglue to hold the switch in place, and then soldered the contacts to the tracks:
I repeated this for each of the 4 pads, and here's the final result (just before I snipped off the unused contacts from the switches):
Now, my fob makes a super-satisfying "snap" sound when I push the buttons, and it always works - no more multiple presses or holding the remote against my head
I'm delighted with the results, and hope it helps or inspires anyone else who's thinking of giving it a go.
Cool, I've got a fob I've given up on so I've ordered some switches and will give it a go. With my soldering skills, I'm not terribly hopeful but who knows....
Quality of the switches may be a concern but can't be worse than current performance.
yep - I'm under no illusions that the "made in China" buttons will last for ever, but at least I've got 196 spares, ready for when they give up the ghost
yep - I'm under no illusions that the "made in China" buttons will last for ever, but at least I've got 196 spares, ready for when they give up the ghost
As long as they last at least 6 months each time, that gives you another 25 years use out of the car at a conservative estimate, lol.
yep - I'm under no illusions that the "made in China" buttons will last for ever, but at least I've got 196 spares, ready for when they give up the ghost
And at 3 pence or 4 cents each, the solder probably costs more! This is one of those improvements that are very small but somehow give a level of satisfaction far out of proportion to their cost and impact.
Those look very similar to the ones in the later (Ford) fobs, so perhaps they will hold up OK.
I'm sure the switches will be fine given the OP isn't going to be pressing them 1000s of times a day. The ones Ford used would have been from a decent manufacturer, the Chinese ones will in all likelihood be knockoffs that don't meet the same specs, just like the non-OEM cheap O2 sensors, TPS sensors and so on that we advise people not to waste their money on.
My comment was really just a reminder that whatever people say about Jaguar's failings when they built our cars last century, most of the car is still working exactly as it was intended to - the OEM quality is really rather good and hard to improve on.
“……..My comment was really just a reminder that whatever people say about Jaguar's failings when they built our cars last century, most of the car is still working exactly as it was intended to - the OEM quality is really rather good and hard to improve on.
^^^^^^^ THIS !! ^^^^^^^^^^
we often lose sight of the fact that cars are built to have a 10 year life span. We are going on double that + .
yes, it’s very frustrating that some parts are getting expensive, or worse, not obtainable st any price. While 90% of the car is ticking right along no trouble at all.
I’d like to think that we all got into this predicament with eyes open. I don’t know if that makes ownership easier to take, or not.
We have owned my wife's 2006 XK8 since early February 2012 and it is now approaching 128,000 miles. I have had to deal with quite a few of the well-known issues over the years with my least favorite being all the plastic parts in the cooling system. As time has passed and Wayne and I have addressed the various issues as they arose and successfully put them behind us, I must admit that my attitude regarding the vehicle gradually improved. I still worry about the green shower from time to time but thus far there has been no sign of it. And because I make certain to take the car out for a spirited 25-mile jaunt at least weekly, I no longer worry about the fuel pump....
we often lose sight of the fact that cars are built to have a 10 year life span. We are going on double that + .
yes, it’s very frustrating that some parts are getting expensive, or worse, not obtainable st any price. While 90% of the car is ticking right along no trouble at all.
I’d like to think that we all got into this predicament with eyes open. I don’t know if that makes ownership easier to take, or not.
Z
Well at the moment we still have a good supply of spare parts as cars are scrapped and that will continue for as long as Jaguars are kept in cold climates where they put salt on the roads. People/companies are fabricating replacement 3D printed bits that are otherwise impossible to get. When the supply of electronic modules dry up and the remaining ones become impossible to repair, people/companies will start making new ones, assuming there is demand and forums like this still exist.
Ultimately though, these cars will go the way of the steam engine - relics from a bygone era, but that's not going to happen for a good few years yet.
Don’t forget that for quite some time now (donkey years!) most of the OE electronic modules were constructed with Chinese and/or micro-chips from Asian and Malaysian sources.
Therefore, my prediction for the micro button switches is that will be as, or more reliable than the old film buttons they are replacing.
Great repair IMHO!
Don’t forget that for quite some time now (donkey years!) most of the OE electronic modules were constructed with Chinese and/or micro-chips from Asian and Malaysian sources.
Therefore, my prediction for the micro button switches is that will be as, or more reliable than the old film buttons they are replacing.
Great repair IMHO!
Brian W.
2003 XK8 4.2L Convertible A350XX
And they were produced to a verified OEM standard. The Chinese have continued to make products that look the same, but to a standard that allows them to sell them for the price of the postage. Anyway, lets revisit this thread in 25 years and see if the Chinese buttons have lasted as long as the OEM.
“…….Ultimately though, these cars will go the way of the steam engine - relics from a bygone era, but that's not going to happen for a good few years yet.
If my 2002 XKR lasts as long as the state will issue me, a young 74 years old, a drivers license, then I will be joyous.
Key Fob Refurbishment - 2000 XK8/XKR
