On
bottom: new pad/ 97 e38 key
On
top: old pad/ 99 e39 key w/rubber replacement pad done in 2008
97 e38 key & new replacement pad
new pad vs old pad
rear of new pad & old pad
old pad on top of new pad to mark where to excise the protuberance that covers the red LED
cutting off the fake LED protuberance
fake LED removed successfully
back of key removed & removing battery & circuit board in one piece
innards all removed & nickel placed on battery to keep programming intact...
NOTE that the transponder/chip remains in its little corner
start prying/loosening up the edges of the OLD rubber pads from inside the key which are lightly adhered to the key case...be gentle & careful
then gently press/push the rubber pads thru the holes from OUTSIDE the key...careful not to break off a small ridge/ring of plastic supports that keep the edges of the rubber pads from being pushed back inside the key case under normal use of the buttons
You can see the ridge/ring supports that surrounds each hole...be CAREFUL not to cut thru or break these tiny pieces off
-
prepare to start inserting the NEW rubber pads...you can see the LIP that goes above the tiny supports and outer rim of the holes
push new rubber pad thru hole and align...don't be TOO rough because you don't want to RIP the thin rubber lip of the new rubber pads...but you can careful adjust the pad so that it lines up correctly in the holes
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adjusting the last button from inside...there's preformed indentations that fits a small flat head screwdriver perfectly
all done...
NOTE that the transponder/chip is STILL sitting in it's original location
just needs a few more adjustments...but old 97 e38 key with new pads installed...with old rubber key pad buttons removed
Gotta get back to work...lunch break is over...but here's the comparison of the NEW replacement key pads vs the one I purchased in 2008. The new pads have the arrow on the UNLOCK button pointing in the correct position. The older replacement pad (from 2008) has the arrow pointing away from the key blade in the direction of keys that use the
433 MHz radio frequency (which is used in Europe). In North America...the arrow should point TOWARDS the key blade which indicates that the key uses the
315 MHz radio frequency.
433 MHz/Europe vs 315 MHz/USA & Canada
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