How to Open a Buick with a Dead Key Fob
Getting into Your Buick
- But first, if you are already inside, click here for help getting started!
- Second, for video help, click here!
- Finally, if you need another manufacturer, click here.
Retrieving the mechanical key
Buick uses the last two of GM’s three key fob (remote control or ‘clicker’) styles. Style 2 is a flip key, shown to the right. Simply press the unmarked chrome button to extend the mechanical key. It remains attached to the key fob.
If a key hole is visible at the back of the driver’s door handle, use the mechanical key to unlock the driver’s door. If a key hole is not visible, see below.
With the Style 3 key fob the mechanical key must removed from the fob for use getting into the vehicle. To remove the mechanical key, press the button on the side of the transmitter near the key ring, as shown, and pull the key out.
Once again, if a key hole is visible at the back of the driver’s door handle, use the mechanical key to unlock the driver’s door. If a key hole is not visible, see below.
Getting Inside
In the majority of Buick models, a key hole is visible at the back of the driver’s door handle. So, simply insert the mechanical key and turn and you’re inside.
However, in the 2016 model year, Buick joined other GM models, hiding the key hole behind a cap at the back of the handle. The first models affected include the Envision and Lacrosse. The remaining models have followed suit.
In these cases, the cap must be removed to reveal the key hole. To remove the cap, pull the door handle out to the open position. Insert the key into the slot on the bottom of the cap (3, right). Push it as far upwards as possible, then pry outward. And yes, you WILL feel like you are prying off a piece of your car! Move the cap rearward revealing the key cylinder. Now the mechanical key can be used in the cylinder. Look for a video here to help.
Then came the new Envista in 2024. The key hole or lock cylinder is hiding behind an oval cap seen towards the rear of the driver’s door handle (right). It will need to be removed to expose the cylinder.
To remove the cap, pull the door handle to the open position. Look for a spot behind 
the oval cap that can accept the key (right). Insert the key into the spot and press the key inward. This will allow the cap to move. Move it towards the rear and remove it. The key hole is now visible and the door can be unlocked.
To replace the first cap, insert the two tabs at the back of the cap between the black seal and the metal base. Pull the door handle out to the door open position and move the cap forward and press to snap it into place. You can then release the door handle.
To replace the oval cap, insert the tab found at the back of the cap into the edge of door handle. Press the cap into place.
Continue to Starting Instructions …
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Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.
These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.
Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.
The author has 25 years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s College, ME: MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY
The MKS is unique in using the glove box as the location for the backup slot. It is to the far right side under the glove box door, and may be difficult to reach. Slip the Intelligent Access key down into the slot with buttons facing out and with key ring up or out. See the image.
bit.
In 2018, the Navigator location is moved to the back wall inside the center console (right). It should look like a pocket anchored to the back wall. Slip the key fob in vertically with the buttons facing forward.
beneath the rear cup holder. Remove the bottom liner from the cup holder by pulling it up by the tab (see image to the right). The slot is then revealed. Drop the fob into the slot with the buttons facing the rear of the rear of the car.
the front wall structure ( lower right). For this model, the key fob should be placed on its side with the buttons facing the back of the console.
In MKT, MKZ Hybrid (2013) and new (2017) Continental models, the slot is found near the Auxiliary, USB and power ports in the center console, like the one shown. The Intelligent Access key is slipped in with the buttons facing out and the key ring up (in one vehicle we tested, the vehicle started with the buttons facing either direction).
In the MKC and MKX (through 2015), the backup slot is to the front of center console, also found near the Auxiliary, USB and power ports, as shown. The Intelligent Access key is slipped in with the buttons facing out and the key ring up. The slot is impossible to see and you may want to feel for the ribbing at the bottom of the slot.
In 2016, the back up slot in the MKX is moved to the bottom of the center console. The Nautilus, new in 2019, uses this location as well. There is a visible depression in the console’s floor the shape of the key fob. Place the fob in the depression with the buttons up and key ring end facing forward.
In 2024, the back up slot in the Nautilus is moved to the front of the center console (image right). Slip the fob in with the buttons facing the rear.
New in the 2014 MKZ and MKZ Hybrid the backup slot is hidden under one of the cup holders.
(IA) (remote control or ‘clicker’) key styles. Two of the key fobs use a sliding release on the back side to release the key. Two new key fobs use a push button to release the mechanical key, and one is much easier than the other to use. Another holds the key inside the fob itself and is really difficult to remove.
To release the mechanical key blade in your IA key fob, slide the release on the back of the transmitter and pull the blade out. You can now use the mechanical key to unlock the driver’s door.
(pull is straight up and off) to access the key blade. Its awkward and may need a little practice. That mechanical key can now be used to unlock the driver’s door.
This fourth and unusual Intelligent Access key fob is found with only a handful of Ford models. The mechanical key blade is found on the back of the fob. To remove it, push the buttons on either side of the key fob.
to use. It has a push button on the front of the mechanical key itself near the key ring space. Simply push the button and pull the mechanical key away from the IA key.
However, the 2017 Continental and then the 2020 Aviator and the 2024 Nautilus bring a very new wrinkle into the mix. The key hole is hidden by a spring-loaded cover and is in a very different location. The key hole has been placed in the chrome molding beneath the driver’s door mirror and behind the imprinted words ‘Continental’, ‘Aviator’ or ‘Nautilus’. Simply insert the key and turn to unlock the car. The door will spring open. We still in 2024 have no word on how well the key hole cover will behave in icy weather.
In addition, the Navigator, updated in 2018, hides the keyhole in plain sight. The door handle is a single piece. The key hole is exposed by simply pulling the driver’s door handle away from the body of the car. It is seen angled outward at the back end of the handle. Insert the mechanical key and turn clockwise. Remove the key and release the handle. The door will open on the next pull. Note that the alarm will sound in a minute or so if the car is not started in time.
Finally, the new Nautilus model hides the key hole under a cap at the back of the driver’s door handle, which must be removed. To do this, insert the key blade into the slot on the bottom of the handle (right image, bottom arrow) and press up. While holding that upward pressure, move the cap rearward to release it. Gently remove the key while doing so. Yes, the effect is that of prying off a piece of your car but its OK and necessary!
In the earliest versions of the Model S, the back of key fob is to be placed against the passenger side front fender, somewhat below and to the right of the emblem, as shown in the image. When the fob is recognized, the door handles will extend as they do normally.
The concept is the same in the newer Model S, but the location is changed. However, it remains on the passenger side. Place the key fob near the base of the passenger side windshield wiper. The image to the right shows the exact spot that worked in the model we tested, and we tried several. Then press the driver’s door handle. The handles will extend if it is recognized, but it took a full 20 seconds in the car we tested. Try repositioning the fob if this fails. If it continues not to be recognized, try removing the battery and go back through the process.
Tesla’s Model X uses an entirely different back up location. There again is no hard key or key cylinder. In addition, the door handles do not extend in normal operation as with the Model S. The mirrors will extend when the key fob is recognized.
To get in, the key card is placed on the door frame between the front and rear doors on the driver’s side and just above the bottom of the windows, as shown. As with other models, the mirrors will extend inviting you inside. The vehicles can be locked this way as well.
automobile. Unless your key ring is flexible, take the fob off the ring to make room to remove the mechanical key. Turning over the fob, look for a small slide lever near the key ring side. Slide it to the side with a fingernail and pry the lever towards the top at the same time. Work the key out of the fob.
If your Porsche has a visible key hole, simple insert the mechanical key and turn. If a key hole is not visible, look for a separation in the driver’s door handle towards the back. It marks a cover hiding the keyhole. Then look beneath the cover for a slot. Slide the mechanical key in as far up as it will go and pull the cover away from the car exposing the key hole.
If a separation in the handle is not found, simply lift the handle. The key hole will be seen beneath the back of the handle. The Macan will have a plastic insert in the key hole that will need to be removed. Once the key hole is visible, insert the mechanical key and turn it counterclockwise (left). It will be awkward to get to. Then remove the key, release the handle fully and then pull it again to open. And you’re in.