Solutions

Viper / DEI 488 V/P/X Fix Low Battery Indicator

2012-05-07T15:53:00.000-07:00

Here's a little video I made to help you fix your Viper / DEI remote. It apparently is pretty common. The problem is that the remote indicates (by beeping twice) that your battery is low. Well, IT'S A NEW BATTERY!? So, here's how I went about fixing it. Really easy and straightforward. Hope this helps you!

Total cost: $14 and some change. For the can of DeoxIT

GM Key Fob Fix

2011-04-01T22:54:00.000-07:00

A little back story is in order for this one. I'm a mechanic by trade and I love fixing electronics. Thats all you get for now! :) I'll fill you in little by little later on.

Today I had to run to Autozone to get a tool. I walked in the door and saw a customer standing next to an Autozone employee. The employee had just replaced the battery in her Buick key fob and was trying to test it with the RF (Radio Frequency) tester. There was no signal and I knew right away what the problem was. If you are unfortunate enough to own a Chevy, Buick, or Cadillac key fob then you have probably ran into this problem before.

Your remote stops working and you buy another battery but it STILL won't work. Well what options do you have left? Buy a new one... GM wants HOW MUCH for that tiny piece of plastic!? Yea I know... Ridiculous isn't it?

What you need to fix it:

Soldering Iron
Flux
Solder

Here's your fix:

Open the key fob

Remove the battery

Notice the metal piece that holds the battery. There are 3 circuit contacts. Typically one or two of the side contacts break. Sometimes all 3 break. These need to be repaired.

Prepare the area to be repaired.

You can clean it with rubbing alcohol but it isn't necessary.

Apply flux

Solder the joint back together

Replace the battery

Test your remote! You should be in working order now.

By the way I fixed that lady's remote right inside of autozone. My good deed for the day I suppose.

Until next time,
Mike

Images courtesy of rfcafe.com

Invalid URL Fix

2011-04-01T22:26:00.000-07:00

A lot of you may have experienced the dreaded "Invalid URL" problem. Mostly associated with any facebook.com games like Mafia Wars, Cityville, Farmville, etc. I attempted multiple solutions to no avail. Typically ipconfig /flushdns worked but did not permanently solve the issue.

Do you have a Linksys router? I own a WRT310n V2 and I believe this is the root of all my headaches. Not only did I experience the Invalid URL issue but was redirected from facebook to myspace or another random website. Let me share with you a fix that I believe solved all of my problems and hopefully it helps you as well!

Follow these steps:

Open Command Prompt

Type "ipconfig /all"

Scroll up and find the circled text (note: your numbers will be different)

Make note of the last two sets of numbers

Open your Network and Sharing Center

Select the internet connection that you use

Click Properties

Select Internet Protocol Version 4

Click Properties

Select the button "Use the following DNS server addresses"

Type in the last two sets of numbers that we took note of earlier

Select the checkbox "Validate settings upon exit"

Click "OK"

Now we will validate our fix:

Open Command Prompt again
Type "ipconfig /all"
Scroll up and find the same set of numbers again "DNS Servers"

You should only have two sets of numbers now.

Try accessing Facebook or a page that was giving you trouble before.
I hope this solved your problem!

Leave me some feedback! This is my first blog post

Until next time,
Mike

BTW I'm open to reasonable requests! :)