Experiencing problems with your 2020 Nissan Altima key fob after a battery replacement can be frustrating. Many Nissan owners encounter issues where their key fob either stops being recognized by the car or the remote functions cease to operate correctly after swapping out the battery. Fortunately, these are often resolvable issues you can tackle yourself without a trip to the dealership. This guide will walk you through common problems and their 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 common headache after replacing your 2020 Nissan Altima key fob battery is seeing persistent “Invalid Key ID” or “No Key Detected” messages on your dashboard. You might also notice that the door request buttons on your car handles no longer respond. Interestingly, the key fob buttons for remote locking/unlocking and the trunk release might still function. You may even be able to start your Altima by physically pressing the start button with the key fob itself.
To resolve this “Invalid Key ID” problem, follow these steps:
- Remove the emergency backup key from your Nissan Altima key fob.
- Enter your Nissan Altima and ensure the key fob is inside the vehicle.
- Press the start button twice WITHOUT pressing the brake pedal. This will cycle the ignition from OFF to ACC to ON.
- Exit your Nissan Altima, leaving the key fob inside the car. Make sure you take the backup door key with you.
- Close the driver’s side door and use the backup door key to manually lock the door. Insert the key into the door lock and turn it to the left to lock. You should hear the locking mechanism engage.
- Immediately unlock the door using the same backup key. Turn the key to the right to unlock. Again, listen for the unlocking mechanism.
- Remove the backup door key and re-enter your Nissan Altima.
- Press the start button one more time (without pressing the brake pedal) to turn the ignition to the OFF mode.
After completing these steps, the “Invalid key ID” messages should disappear, and your key fob should function normally again, including the door request buttons.
Issue #2: Key Fob Buttons (Remote Lock, Unlock, Trunk, Panic, Remote Start) Not Working After Battery Replacement
In contrast to the first issue, you might find that everything seems normal after a 2020 Nissan Altima key fob battery replacement except for the remote button functions. This means the buttons on your key fob – remote door lock, unlock, panic button, remote trunk release, and remote start (if equipped) – are unresponsive.
The solution for this problem involves rebooting your Nissan Altima’s Engine Control Unit (ECU). When the ECU performs a cold boot with the key fob inside the car, it re-programs the key fob’s push-button functions. Here’s how to do it:
- Locate the main car battery under the hood of your 2020 Nissan Altima.
- Disconnect the negative battery terminal. Use a wrench to loosen the nut on the negative terminal (usually marked with a ‘-‘ sign and a black cable). Carefully detach 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 terminal and tighten the nut securely.
After reconnecting the battery, your Nissan Altima’s ECU will reboot. Your key fob should now be fully functional, including all remote button features. Keep in mind that disconnecting the car battery can temporarily reset the ECU’s learned settings, which might cause a slightly different idle for a short period after restarting. This is normal and will quickly return to its usual state after driving a few miles.
Choosing the Right Battery for Your Nissan Altima Key Fob
For your 2020 Nissan Altima key fob battery replacement, the recommended battery type is a CR2032. This is the standard button cell battery designed for optimal performance and longevity in your key fob. While a CR2025 battery might fit and work in a pinch, it is slightly thinner and has a lower capacity. Using a CR2025 may result in a shorter battery life compared to the CR2032.
Pro Tip: Replacing your key fob battery proactively, before you experience intermittent issues, can often prevent the need for these reprogramming procedures altogether. Low battery voltage can sometimes corrupt the key fob’s internal memory, leading to these problems after replacement.
Reprogramming Both Key Fobs: If you have two key fobs for your 2020 Nissan Altima, you can attempt to reprogram both at once by leaving both key fobs inside the car when performing either of the procedures described above. While not always necessary if you are only experiencing issues with one key fob, it can be a time-saving step if you want to ensure both are correctly synced.
By following these troubleshooting steps, you can effectively resolve common key fob issues after a battery replacement in your 2020 Nissan Altima, saving you time and potential dealership costs.
