Are you struggling to unlock your 2016 Subaru Forester with your key fob? It’s a common frustration, and often, the culprit is a dead battery. Fortunately, replacing the battery in your Subaru Forester key fob is a straightforward process you can easily handle yourself. This guide will walk you through each step, ensuring you can regain full access to your vehicle quickly and efficiently.
Subaru key fobs come in a few different styles, and knowing which one you have is the first step to a successful battery replacement. For the 2016 Subaru Forester, you’ll likely encounter one of these key fob types: the bulging rectangle shape, the teardrop shape, or the older style with an exposed metal key and buttons. While they look different, the battery replacement process is quite similar for all of them, with slight variations depending on the model.
Before you start, it’s helpful to identify your key fob type and the battery it requires. Consulting your 2016 Subaru Forester owner’s manual is the most reliable way to confirm this information. However, as a quick reference, here’s a general guide:
- Bulging Rectangle Shape: Typically uses a CR2032 battery.
- Teardrop Shape: Usually requires a CR2025 battery.
- Exposed Metal Key with Buttons: Often uses a CR1620 battery.
Let’s dive into the step-by-step instructions for replacing the battery in each type of 2016 Subaru Forester key fob.
Replacing the Battery in a Bulging Rectangle Subaru Key Fob (CR2032 Battery)
This type of key fob is common for the 2016 Subaru Forester and is identified by its rectangular shape with a slightly bulging design. It utilizes a CR2032 battery, a widely available and inexpensive coin cell battery.
Here’s how to replace the battery:
-
Remove the Emergency Key: Locate the small silver tab on the back of your key fob. Press and hold this tab to release the metal emergency key. Slide the key out and set it aside.
-
Pry Open the Key Fob: With the emergency key removed, you’ll see a seam running around the edge of the key fob. Carefully insert a flathead screwdriver or a thin pry tool into this seam. Gently twist or pry to separate the two halves of the fob. Be patient and avoid applying excessive force to prevent damaging the plastic casing.
-
Locate the Battery: Once the fob is open, you’ll see the transmitter circuit board and the round, flat key fob battery. Depending on how the fob opens, the battery might be positioned above or below the circuit board.
-
Replace the Battery: Gently release the old CR2032 battery. You might be able to pry it out with your fingertip or the flathead screwdriver. Take note of the battery’s orientation (positive side up or down) before removing it. Install the new CR2032 battery, ensuring the correct side is facing upwards, matching the orientation of the old battery. Minimize touching the flat surfaces of the new battery to avoid transferring oils from your skin, which can reduce battery life.
-
Reassemble the Key Fob: Carefully snap the two halves of the key fob back together. Ensure they are firmly closed and all edges are aligned. Finally, slide the metal emergency key back into its slot until it clicks into place.
Replacing the Battery in a Teardrop Shape Subaru Key Fob (CR2025 Battery)
The teardrop-shaped key fob is an older style but could still be in use with some 2016 Subaru Forester models. It typically uses a CR2025 battery, slightly thinner than the CR2032.
The battery replacement process is very similar to the bulging rectangle fob, with one key difference:
-
Pry Open the Key Fob: The teardrop fob does not have a separate emergency key to remove. Instead, locate the seam around the edge of the fob. Insert a flathead screwdriver or pry tool into the seam and carefully pry the two halves apart.
-
Locate and Replace the Battery: Once open, you’ll find the CR2025 battery. Remove the old battery and replace it with a new CR2025 battery, ensuring correct polarity.
-
Reassemble the Key Fob: Snap the two halves of the fob back together, ensuring a secure closure.
Replacing the Battery in an Exposed Metal Key Subaru Key Fob (CR1620 Battery)
This is the oldest style of electronic Subaru key fob, recognizable by the permanently exposed metal key blade. It uses a smaller CR1620 battery.
Replacing the battery in this fob requires an extra step:
-
Pry Open the Exterior Casing: Similar to the other fobs, locate the seam on the exterior casing and gently pry it open using a flathead screwdriver or pry tool.
-
Open the Interior Casing: Inside the exterior casing, you’ll find a second, smaller casing. This interior casing houses the battery. Look for small tabs on this interior casing. Press these tabs to release and open the interior casing.
-
Locate and Replace the Battery: Once the interior casing is open, you can access the CR1620 battery. Remove the old battery and replace it with a new CR1620 battery, ensuring correct polarity.
-
Reassemble the Key Fob: Close the interior casing, then place it back inside the exterior casing. Snap the exterior casing closed, ensuring all parts are securely fitted.
Troubleshooting and When to Seek Professional Help
After replacing the battery, your 2016 Subaru Forester key fob should ideally work immediately. However, if you’re still experiencing issues, consider these troubleshooting steps:
- Battery Polarity: Double-check that you inserted the new battery with the correct polarity (+ side up).
- Battery Type: Ensure you used the correct battery type (CR2032, CR2025, or CR1620) for your specific key fob model.
- Battery Contact: Make sure the battery contacts within the key fob are clean and making good contact with the battery.
If you’ve tried these steps and your key fob still isn’t working, it’s possible that the issue isn’t just the battery. In some cases, the key fob itself might need reprogramming or replacement.
For newer Subaru Forester models, key fob programming often requires specialized equipment and is best handled by a dealership. If you suspect your key fob needs reprogramming or replacement, or if you prefer professional assistance with battery replacement, schedule a service appointment at your local Subaru dealership, such as Subaru North Orlando. Their trained technicians can diagnose the issue and ensure your key fob is functioning correctly.
Replacing your 2016 Subaru Forester Key Fob Battery is usually a quick and simple fix. By following these steps, you can save time and money and get back on the road with a functioning key fob. However, don’t hesitate to seek professional help if you encounter difficulties or suspect a more complex issue.
