DIY: Disable Trunk and/or Panic Button on 2005 Remote Key Fob
 

If you don't mind messing with electronics, here is a way to disable the trunk open and/or panic button on a 2005 remote key fob. You will need:

• Small flat-head screwdriver
• Soldering iron
• Desoldering tool
• Electrical tape
• Multimeter/Ohmmeter (optional)
• Steady hands (it's really small!)

I never use these buttons on my remote, but I always use the lock and unlock buttons. I get worried that I may accidentally open the trunk and not notice (there is no dash indicator). Also, it's a little embarrassing to accidentally set your car alarm off. In those rare occasions where I don't remember or can't find where my car is, the horn by using the lock button functions just as well as the panic button (though I never do this anyway).

The result will be a remote key fob that looks identical. The trunk and panic button will still click, but will not operate. Also, the lock and unlock button will function as usual. This method may be reversible to some extent. However, these components are surface mounted, and it may be a bit difficult to solder them back in. So I wouldn't do this if you don't want it to be permanent.

Do not do this if you are not prepared to buy a remote if you screw up or want full functionality back (though, I didn't screw up with my only remote).

1. Disassemble the key fob down to the point required to replace the battery. This requires a small flat-head screwdriver. If not familiar with this process, please search or RTFM.
2. Remove the circuit board from the remote, it should look something like mine in the picture.
3. The GOAL is to detach the top terminals (red arrows) of the switches from the circuit board while leaving the bottom (yellow arrows) intact. This will allow the switches to be bypassed.
   a) It may be possible to remove the switch altogether. However, this may render the lock/unlock buttons useless, I'm not sure. Also, these buttons will no longer click, if entirely removed from the assembly.)
   b) It is entirely possible to disable only one of these two switches, if desired.
4. These switches may be tested by using an ohmmeter to check the connectivity. This may require skill in using the ohmmeter leads like chop-sticks or another set of hands.
   a) To test connectivity of the trunk switch, check between the green arrow terminal and the blue arrow terminal. While the button is not pushed in, they should not be connected (infinite ohms). While the button is pushed in, they should be connected (~0.3 ohms).
   b) The same applies to the panic button by checking between the green arrow terminal and the pink arrow terminal.
5. Desolder the terminals with the red arrows and very carefully pry the end up with a small screwdriver or a knife. Try your best not to damage the yellow terminals or circuit board.
6. Place one to three layers of electrical tape under the red terminals. This will ensure that the switch cannot make an electrical connection with the circuit board.
7. It should be good to go! But first, let's test the connectivity of the switches to the circuit board. Following step 4, the ohmmeter should now read no connectivity (infinite ohms) with the corresponding switch whether it is pushed in or not.
8. Assemble the remote opposite of disassembly.

I'm sure that this procedure can be adopted to other remotes or to disable the lock or unlock buttons. Though, I'm not sure why anyone would want to disable the lock/unlock buttons. Go test that baby out and see that the buttons don't do anything! Hurray!

This seems completely unnecessary.

More power to you I guess...

Because RX-8s represent that which is only necessary.

Thanks for contributing I guess...