Experiencing issues with your 2020 Nissan Altima key fob after a battery replacement? You’re not alone. Many Nissan owners encounter problems like “Invalid Key ID” messages or unresponsive remote functions after swapping out their key fob battery. Fortunately, these issues are often easily resolved at home without a trip to the dealership. This guide will walk you through common problems and provide step-by-step solutions to get your Nissan Altima key fob working perfectly again.
Issue #1: “Invalid Key ID” or “No Key Detected” Messages After Battery Change
One frequent problem after replacing your 2020 Nissan Altima Key Fob Battery is seeing “Invalid Key ID” or “No Key Detected” warnings on your dashboard. You might also notice that the door request buttons on your car handles stop working. Interestingly, the key fob buttons for remote locking/unlocking and the panic button might still function normally. You can typically still start your Altima by physically pressing the start button with the key fob or, on some models, by using an emergency key fob receptacle.
Solution: Re-syncing your key fob after a battery change is often necessary. Here’s how to do it:
- Remove the mechanical backup key from your Nissan Altima key fob.
- Enter your vehicle and ensure the key fob is inside the car.
- Press the start button twice without pressing the brake pedal. This will cycle the ignition to the “ON” position without starting the engine.
- Exit the vehicle, leaving the key fob inside. Take the mechanical backup key with you.
- Close the driver’s side door.
- Insert the mechanical backup key into the driver’s side door lock.
- Turn the key to the left (counter-clockwise) to lock the door. You should hear the door locking mechanism engage.
- Turn the key to the right (clockwise) to unlock the door. Again, listen for the unlocking mechanism.
- Remove the mechanical backup key from the door lock.
- Re-enter your Nissan Altima.
- Press the start button one more time (without pressing the brake) to turn the ignition to the “OFF” mode.
After completing these steps, the “Invalid Key ID” messages should disappear, and all key fob functions, including door request buttons, should be restored to normal operation.
Issue #2: Key Fob Buttons Not Working After Battery Replacement
In some cases, you might find that all keyless entry functions on your 2020 Nissan Altima key fob stop working after a battery replacement. This means the remote door lock, unlock, trunk release, and panic buttons become unresponsive. However, the car may still start and operate normally using the key fob.
Solution: This issue usually indicates that the key fob’s push-button functions need to be re-programmed with your car’s computer (ECU). A “cold boot” of the ECU with the key fob inside the vehicle can often resolve this. Here’s the process:
- Ensure your 2020 Nissan Altima key fob is inside the vehicle.
- Locate the main car battery under the hood of your Nissan Altima.
- Disconnect the negative battery terminal. Use a wrench to loosen the nut on the negative terminal (usually marked with a “-” sign and black cable). Carefully remove the cable from the terminal.
- Wait for one to two minutes. This allows the ECU to fully discharge and reset.
- Reconnect the negative battery terminal. Place the cable back onto the negative battery terminal and tighten the nut securely.
Disconnecting and reconnecting the car battery forces a reboot of the ECU. When the ECU restarts with the key fob present inside the car, it should re-establish communication with the key fob’s remote functions.
Important Note: Disconnecting your car battery will reset the ECU’s learned settings. Your car may idle or drive slightly differently for the first few miles after reconnecting the battery as the ECU relearns optimal settings. This is normal and should resolve quickly with regular driving.
Choosing the Right Battery for Your 2020 Nissan Altima Key Fob
The correct replacement battery for your 2020 Nissan Altima key fob is a CR2032 button cell battery. While a CR2025 battery might fit and function temporarily, it is slightly thinner and has a lower capacity. Using a CR2025 may result in a shorter battery life and potentially lead to issues sooner. It’s always recommended to use the correct CR2032 battery for optimal performance and longevity of your key fob.
Preventative Tip: Replacing your key fob battery before it completely dies can help prevent memory corruption issues. If you notice your key fob range decreasing or intermittent unresponsiveness, consider replacing the battery proactively. This can potentially save you from needing to perform the resyncing or ECU reboot procedures outlined above.
By following these troubleshooting steps, you can often resolve common key fob issues on your 2020 Nissan Altima after a battery replacement, ensuring you maintain full access and functionality of your vehicle’s keyless entry system.
