Is your Dodge Journey key fob starting to act up? Maybe it’s becoming less responsive, or perhaps it has stopped working altogether. One of the most common culprits for a failing key fob is a dead battery. Fortunately, replacing the battery in your Dodge Journey key fob is a straightforward task you can easily handle yourself, saving you time and money compared to a dealership visit. This guide will walk you through the simple steps to change the battery in your Dodge Journey key fob, ensuring you’re back on the road with a fully functional remote in no time.
There are typically two main types of key fobs for the Dodge Journey, depending on the model year. One type has an emergency key that slides out and doesn’t require insertion into the dashboard to start the vehicle. The other, usually found in older models, might require insertion into the dashboard. Regardless of which type you have, the battery replacement process is quite similar and easy to follow. Let’s dive into how to change the battery for each type.
Changing the Battery in Newer Dodge Journey Key Fobs (Without Dashboard Slot)
If your Dodge Journey uses a key fob that you simply need to have with you to start the vehicle (proximity key), here’s how to replace its battery:
Step 1: Remove the Emergency Key
Locate the lever or button on the back or bottom of your key fob. This release mechanism is designed to detach the mechanical emergency key. Slide or press this lever to release the key. Once released, carefully pull the emergency key out of the fob and set it aside in a safe place. This key can be used to manually unlock your car door if needed, even with a dead fob battery.
Step 2: Prepare Your Tools
For this step, you’ll need a slim, flat-sided tool. A small flathead screwdriver is ideal, but you could also use a plastic trim removal tool or even the emergency key itself if carefully applied. The goal is to gently pry open the key fob casing without causing damage.
Step 3: Pry Open the Key Fob
Examine the bottom of the key fob, specifically where the emergency key was just removed. You should see a small slot or seam where the two halves of the key fob casing meet. This is where you need to insert your flat tool. Gently insert the tip of your screwdriver or chosen tool into this slot and carefully twist or pry. The aim is to separate the two halves of the key fob casing. Work your tool around the seam if necessary, applying gentle pressure until the case begins to split open.
Step 4: Access and Remove the Old Battery
Once the two halves of the key fob are separated, carefully pull them apart to reveal the internal components, including the circuit board and the battery. The battery is usually a small, round, coin-cell type battery. Take note of how the battery is positioned in its housing, specifically the orientation of the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals. This is crucial for correct installation of the new battery. You can use your flat tool again to gently slide the old battery out of its housing.
Step 5: Install the New Battery
The battery you need is commonly a CR2032 3V lithium coin cell battery. You can find these at most auto parts stores, drugstores, and online retailers. Take your new CR2032 battery and slide it into the battery housing in the key fob, ensuring that you match the polarity to the original battery’s orientation (positive side up, if that was the original configuration – usually indicated by “+” markings in the housing).
Step 6: Reassemble the Key Fob
Carefully take the two halves of the key fob casing and press them back together. You should hear or feel them click securely into place. Ensure there are no gaps and the case is firmly closed. Finally, slide the emergency key back into its slot until it clicks and locks into position.
Replacing the Battery in Older Dodge Journey Key Fobs (With Dashboard Slot)
For older Dodge Journey models that might have a key fob designed to be inserted into the dashboard to start the vehicle, the process is slightly different but still manageable:
Step 1: Remove the Emergency Key
Just like with the newer fobs, the first step is to remove the emergency key. Locate the release lever on the back of the key fob, slide or press it, and then pull out the emergency key. Set it aside.
Step 2: Locate and Remove the Phillips Head Screw
Flip the key fob over so the buttons are facing down and the rounded end (where the key ring might attach) is pointing upwards. Look closely at the back casing. You should see a tiny Phillips head screw. You’ll need a small Phillips head screwdriver to remove this screw. Carefully unscrew and remove it. Keep the screw in a safe place so you don’t lose it, as you’ll need it for reassembly.
Step 3: Pry Open the Key Fob Casing
With the screw removed, you can now separate the two halves of the key fob casing. Use a flat-sided tool, like a small flathead screwdriver or plastic pry tool. Insert the tool into the seam created after removing the screw, or along the side of the fob, and gently pry the two halves apart.
Step 4: Access and Replace the Battery
Once the casing is open, you’ll see the internal components. In this type of fob, there might be an inner piece that holds the circuit board and battery. Carefully lift out this inner piece and flip it over to access the battery compartment. Again, take note of the battery’s orientation before removing it. Use your tool to slide the old battery out.
Step 5: Install the New Battery
As with the newer fobs, a CR2032 battery is typically used. Install the new CR2032 battery into the housing, making sure the polarity matches the original battery’s placement.
Step 6: Reassemble the Key Fob
Carefully put the inner piece back into the key fob casing if you removed one. Then, align the two halves of the key fob casing and press them firmly together until they snap shut. Replace the small Phillips head screw and tighten it securely, but not overtighten. Finally, slide the emergency key back into its slot.
By following these steps for your specific type of Dodge Journey key fob, you should have successfully changed the battery and restored its functionality. If you continue to experience issues after replacing the battery, there might be a different problem, and it would be wise to consult with a professional mechanic or your Dodge dealership. However, for most common key fob issues, a simple battery change is often the only fix needed.
