Experiencing issues with your 2015 Toyota Corolla key fob? You’re not alone. A common culprit behind a malfunctioning key fob is often the battery. Like any battery, the key fob battery in your Toyota Corolla has a limited lifespan and will eventually need replacing. But what happens when you replace the battery and your key fob still doesn’t work? This guide delves into troubleshooting your 2015 Toyota Corolla Key Fob Battery issues, ensuring you get back on the road quickly.
Initially, when a key fob stops working, the immediate assumption is often a dead battery. In the case of the 2015 Toyota Corolla key fob, the battery type you’ll typically need is a CR2016 coin cell battery. A quick voltage test might seem like a straightforward way to check if the battery is the problem. You might grab a voltmeter and test the old battery, and even some “fresh” replacement batteries you have lying around. A reading of 3.3v on a supposedly fresh battery might lead you to believe the battery is perfectly fine.
However, voltage alone can be misleading. Just like a car battery, a coin cell battery can show a good voltage reading but still fail under load. This means that while your voltmeter might indicate 3.3v, the battery might not be able to deliver sufficient power when actually placed in the key fob and asked to perform functions like unlocking your doors or starting your car remotely.
The frustrating scenario arises when you replace the old battery with a “fresh” battery that also reads a good voltage, yet the key fob remains unresponsive. This is precisely what happened with a 2015 Toyota Corolla key fob. Despite having Panasonic batteries with a decent expiration date and a 3.3v reading, they failed to power the key fob. The solution, surprisingly, was simpler than expected: a brand new, recently purchased Energizer CR2016 battery. Upon installing this truly fresh battery, the key fob sprang back to life, and in this case, even restored functionality to multiple key fobs that were experiencing similar issues.
The key takeaway here is that expiration dates and voltage readings are not foolproof indicators of a coin cell battery’s health, especially for key fobs. For reliable performance of your 2015 Toyota Corolla key fob, especially in critical situations, it’s best to use truly fresh batteries. Avoid stockpiling these batteries for extended periods, even if they are in their original packaging and within their expiration date. Coin cell batteries, like all batteries, degrade over time, and their performance can diminish even when stored.
Therefore, when faced with a non-responsive 2015 Toyota Corolla key fob, even after voltage testing suggests your batteries are good, the first and most effective step is to try a brand new, recently purchased CR2016 battery from a reputable brand. This simple solution can often resolve the issue and save you unnecessary troubleshooting or trips to the dealership. Consider purchasing batteries on demand, ensuring freshness, rather than buying in bulk and storing them for future use to guarantee optimal performance of your key fob.
