My base-model Prius doesn't have "Smartkey", the radio-based sensing
system that allows entry and startup without having to insert a key or
a fob into a slot. So I have to physically push the entire fob into
the hole in the dash when starting the car. I keep my keys attached
to my person on a fairly short lanyard, which isn't quite long enough
to reach from my belt to the fob-slot, so I simply unclip the fob from
its embedded metal key using the built-in latch. That way, the hard key
remains attached to *me* which helps avert any key-locked-in-car scenarios.
The problem is that the tiny slide knob to disengage the key latch is not very robust, and the thumb-bump that sticks up out of the fob tends to break off. After having one fail and using the other fob for a while I noticed that its bump was beginning to weaken too, and threw together a quick description of the problem:
I posted this to one or another forum and also sent it to my dealer, who said that it wasn't possible to order just the backing plate for the fob but he was kind enough to simply hand me an entire "dead" fob he had kicking around that didn't belong to any particular car anymore. This third good latch piece served adequately for a couple of years thereafter, but alas its days were numbered as well. |
Continued filing-down of the "tongue" brings it to an approximate match for the original piece. |