Is your Nissan Altima 2015 key fob not working as reliably as it used to? You might be facing a common issue: a dead or dying key fob battery. Fortunately, replacing the battery in your Nissan Altima key fob is a straightforward task you can easily handle yourself. This guide will walk you through each step, ensuring you can quickly restore your key fob’s functionality and get back on the road with confidence.
This guide isn’t just for 2015 Nissan Altima owners. If you drive other Nissan models or even INFINITI vehicles with similar keyless entry systems, you’ll likely find these instructions helpful. The process is often similar across various models, including:
Nissan:
- Versa
- Maxima
- Juke
- Rogue
- Murano
- Xterra
- Pathfinder
- Sentra
- Cube
- Armada
- Leaf
- Quest
- Frontier
INFINITI:
- 370Z
- GT-R
- Titan
- G25
- G37
- M35
- M37
Let’s dive into the simple steps to replace your Nissan key fob battery.
Gathering Your Supplies
Before you begin, you’ll need just a couple of items to ensure a smooth and efficient battery replacement:
Replacement Battery
The heart of this repair is the new battery. You’ll need a:
- 3-volt coin cell battery – Part #CR2032
This CR2032 battery is a widely used type, often found in small electronic devices like watches. You can purchase these batteries at most drugstores, hardware stores, and online retailers. Brands like Panasonic, Energizer, Sony, Duracell, and Maxell all offer CR2032 batteries.
To ensure you’re using the exact battery your Nissan Altima key fob was designed for, it’s always a good idea to check your owner’s manual. The manual will specify the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) battery type. For instance, your 2015 Nissan Altima key fob might have originally come with a Panasonic CR2032. If you’re unsure, consider bringing your key fob to a trusted service center for assistance in identifying the correct replacement.
Tools for the Job
You won’t need a garage full of tools for this simple task. Just one small tool will do:
- Mini flathead screwdriver: A small flathead screwdriver, similar to those used for eyeglasses repair, is perfect for gently prying open the key fob casing.
Preparation for Success
A little preparation can go a long way in preventing scratches and ensuring a clean replacement process:
- Microfiber cloth (thin): Wrap the tip of your flathead screwdriver with a thin microfiber cloth. This will protect both the delicate electronic components inside the key fob and the plastic casing from scratches during the opening process.
- Remove key fob from keyring: Detach the key fob from your keyring. This will give you more room to maneuver and prevent accidental damage to your keys or the fob itself.
Understanding the Emergency Ignition Key
Before we get started with the battery replacement, it’s important to know about the emergency ignition key. Every Nissan Altima key fob, and similar keyless entry systems, includes a hidden mechanical key. This emergency key is a lifesaver if your key fob battery dies unexpectedly, especially if you’re away from home.
Your Nissan Altima’s door handle has a small keyhole, usually located on the underside. You can insert the emergency key into this keyhole to manually unlock your car door.
The first step in the battery replacement process is to remove this emergency key from the key fob itself. Let’s move on to the step-by-step instructions.
Step-by-Step Nissan Altima Key Fob Battery Replacement
Follow these detailed steps to replace your 2015 Nissan Altima key fob battery correctly:
- Position the Key Fob: Place the key fob on a flat surface, like a table, with the buttons facing downwards.
Alt text: Nissan Altima 2015 key fob positioned with buttons facing down on a wooden table, preparing for battery replacement procedure.
- Remove the Emergency Metal Key: Locate the small slider tab on the key fob. Push this tab towards the outer edge of the key fob. While pushing the tab, gently pull the bottom edge of the key fob downwards. The emergency metal ignition key should slide out. Set the emergency key aside in a safe place so you don’t misplace it during the battery replacement process.
Alt text: Close-up view of fingers sliding the release tab on a Nissan Altima key fob to remove the emergency metal key, illustrating the initial step of key fob battery replacement.
- Pry Open the Key Fob Casing: Turn the key fob over so the buttons are now facing upwards. Look into the slot where you just removed the emergency key. You’ll see two small notches on the plastic bottom edge of the key fob. Carefully insert the tip of your flathead screwdriver (preferably wrapped in a microfiber cloth) into one of these notches. Gently twist or pry to separate the two halves of the key fob casing. If one notch is too tight, try the other notch. Once you’ve created a small opening, carefully separate the top half of the key fob from the bottom half.
Alt text: Using a small flathead screwdriver to gently pry open the plastic casing of a Nissan Altima key fob, initiating access to the battery compartment.
- Replace the Old Battery with a New CR2032: With the top half of the key fob removed, you’ll clearly see the old battery. Use your flathead screwdriver to carefully pry out the old battery. Be gentle to avoid scratching any of the electronic components. Take note of the battery orientation – usually, the positive (+) side faces upwards. Insert the new CR2032 battery, ensuring the positive (+) side is facing up, matching the original battery’s orientation. Push the new battery firmly into place until it’s securely seated.
Alt text: Hand placing a new CR2032 battery into the battery compartment of an opened Nissan Altima key fob, ensuring correct polarity for proper function.
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Reassemble the Key Fob: Carefully align the two halves of the key fob casing – the front half and the rear cover. Gently press them together until they snap back into place. Ensure that the casing is flush on all edges, indicating it’s properly sealed.
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Reinsert the Emergency Metal Key: Slide the emergency metal ignition key back into its slot until you hear or feel a click. This confirms that the key is securely locked back in place.
You’re Done!
Congratulations! You’ve successfully replaced the battery in your Nissan Altima 2015 key fob. Test the key fob to ensure it’s working correctly – lock and unlock your doors remotely, and try starting your vehicle if it has push-button start.
By following these simple steps, you’ve saved yourself a trip to the dealership and the cost of professional battery replacement. Enjoy the renewed reliability of your key fob!
