Is your car struggling to recognize your key fob? Are you pressing the unlock button multiple times before your car responds? It might be a sign that your Car Key Fob Battery is dying and needs replacing. Luckily, changing your car key fob battery is a straightforward task you can easily handle yourself, saving you time and money compared to visiting a dealership or repair shop.
While professional car key fob battery replacement services are available, especially at places like your local battery store, tackling this DIY project is simpler than you might think. It’s significantly less complex than replacing your car’s main battery and typically only requires a few common household tools and a fresh, inexpensive lithium battery. With a little care, you can revitalize your key fob and avoid the hassle of a complete key fob replacement.
Is your car key fob acting up? The solution might be simpler than you imagine. You probably already have everything you need to breathe new life into your car key remote.
Tools You’ll Need for a Car Key Fob Battery Change
Replacing your car key fob battery yourself is easy when you have the right tools on hand. Gather these simple items before you begin:
- A thin, flat blade: A watch knife or a small flathead screwdriver works perfectly for gently prying open the key fob case.
- Replacement battery: Most key fobs use a CR2032 coin cell battery, widely available at drugstores, supermarkets, and online retailers.
- Precision screwdriver (optional): Depending on your key fob model, you might need a small precision screwdriver (between 1.4mm and 2.4mm) to remove tiny screws.
- Tweezers: Tweezers are helpful for grabbing and maneuvering the small battery.
- Smartphone (for photos): Taking pictures during the process, especially before removing the old battery, can be invaluable for reassembly.
Step-by-Step Guide to Replacing Your Car Key Fob Battery
With your tools ready, follow these simple steps to perform a car key fob battery replacement:
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Open the Key Fob Case: Carefully use your thin blade or screwdriver to pry open the plastic case of your key fob. Look for a small notch or seam that indicates where the case can be opened. Gently wedge your tool into this opening and twist or lever to separate the two halves of the fob. Avoid using excessive force to prevent damage to the case.
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Remove the Old Battery: Once the case is open, locate the battery. In most cases, it will be a small, round coin cell battery. Note the orientation of the battery (positive side up or down) before removing it. You can use tweezers or your fingertip to carefully lift the old battery out of its compartment.
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Insert the New Battery: Take your new car key fob battery (usually a CR2032) and insert it into the battery compartment, ensuring it’s in the correct orientation (matching the orientation of the old battery). The positive (+) side of the battery is usually marked.
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Close the Key Fob Case: Carefully snap the two halves of the key fob case back together. Ensure they are securely closed and that there are no gaps. You should hear a click as the case snaps shut.
Store manager Joseph De La Rosa at Interstate All Battery Center of Surprise, Ariz., shows how it’s done. | Video: Joseph De La Rosa
Identifying the Right Car Key Fob Battery
Before you start the replacement, it’s wise to double-check the type of car key fob battery your fob requires.
Often, the battery size is indicated on the back of your key fob or inside the battery compartment. Look for embossed letters and numbers, which might specify the battery type.
While the CR2032 coin cell battery is the most common type for car key fobs, variations exist depending on your car’s year, make, and model. For example, some vehicles might use a CR1250 battery, or require two batteries instead of one.
If you can’t find the battery type indicated on your key fob, don’t worry. Carefully opening the fob (as described in the next section) will allow you to identify the battery already inside.
Safely Opening Your Key Fob Case
When opening your car key fob to access the battery, gentle and careful handling is crucial. Avoid forcing the case open, as this can lead to damage and potentially require a complete key fob replacement.
- Opening a key fob with a watch knife is easy, as Mike Harris, Interstate All Battery Center manager of production and engineering shows. | Image: Mike Harris*
Instead of focusing force on one point, gently wedge your pry tool (watch knife or flathead screwdriver) around the entire perimeter of the key fob case. Many key fobs have a small notch or groove to help you get started. Once you’ve created a small gap, carefully work your tool around the case, gently prying at the fasteners. Think of it like peeling an orange – applying steady, even pressure around the circumference. The fasteners should pop open with minimal force.
Be mindful not to apply too much pressure at any one point, as this could cause the case to suddenly burst open and scatter the internal components.
The Importance of Taking a Picture Before Battery Removal
Car key fobs can have surprisingly intricate internal designs, even within the same car make and model. Before you remove the old car key fob battery, take a clear photograph of the internal layout with your smartphone.
This simple step serves as a valuable reference during reassembly. It helps you remember the exact placement of the battery, ensuring you reinsert the new battery correctly and avoid any issues. Crucially, it also shows you the battery’s orientation – which side faces up – preventing you from inserting the new battery incorrectly. This precaution can save you from potential headaches and the need for a costly key fob replacement due to improper reassembly.
Handling the Internal Components with Care
Inside your car key fob, you’ll find delicate wiring and a circuit board. It’s essential to avoid disturbing these components during the car key fob battery replacement process. Mishandling them could lead to malfunction and necessitate a key fob replacement.
When removing the old battery, use tweezers or a similar precision tool to gently lift it out of its housing. Some fobs have small clips or sliding metal pieces that secure the battery. Carefully move these aside to release the battery, but avoid pulling or detaching the circuit board or any antennas.
The circuit board contains the programming that links your key fob to your car. Disturbing it unnecessarily could erase this programming, potentially requiring a trip to the dealership (or select Interstate All Battery Center locations) to reprogram your car key fob replacement.
Looking for long-lasting power for both your car and your key fob? Interstate All Battery Center offers a wide selection of batteries, including car key fob batteries and car batteries. Visit a location near you for your battery needs.
