> This one happened with on one else looking, thank goodness...
>
> SWMBO complained that her car's key fob door unlocker/horn blower gizmo
> was getting "weak". ('98 Oldsmobile) I snapped it open, noted the
> battery number and picked up a replacement at Rat Shack the next day.
>
> I popped the new battery in and gave it a try....................."Nada"
>
> I took it back into my workshop, checked that the battery was oriented
> the same way the old one, and then started examining the little circuit
> board with a loupe, hoping to discover a cracked joint. Nothing visibly
> wrong there, so I peeled off the rubber keypad and found some not
> unexpected greenish goop inside.*
>
> I said to myself, "So that's what's wrong!" and cleaned the crud off
> with alcohol.
>
> Took it back outside again. Still nothing!
>
> Back inside once more, opened it up hoping for a miracle, whereupon my
> eye fell on some tiny "black on black" raised lettering on the inside of
> the little devil's back cover reading, "After changing battery, place
> near car and press Lock and Unlock buttons for 7 seconds".
>
> Followed the instructions, and at the count of seven the car's horn
> blipped once and all was well in River City again.
>
> RTFI !!!
>
> Now, I wonder what the hell that did? Could it have been programming the
> car's receiver/decoder to match the xmitter? If so, it sure doesn't seem
> a very secure system, does it?
>
> _________________________________________________________________________
>
> *The oily stuff I often find under the rubber keypads of our TV remotes
> and similar gadgets when they start getting antsy about responding to
> the keypresses. I was told years ago that it's oil from peoples fingers
> which migrates right through the silicone (??) rubber, but I'm inclined
> to think it's plasticisers coming out of the material. Anyway, wiping it
> off with alcohol always seems to make them work like new again. Anybody
> know more about this subject?
>
> Jeff
>
> --
> Jeff Wisnia (W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)
>
> "Success is getting what you like; Happiness is liking what you get."
I have seen the same problem, and think you are correct that the glop is plasticisers.