This article was co-authored by Shawn Fago. Shawn Fago is a Master Locksmith and the Founder of Noble Locksmith, a nationwide locksmith company based in San Diego, California. With over seven years of experience, he provides commercial, residential, and automotive locksmith services to customers. Shawn attended California State University, Fullerton.
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No matter what type of key fob you have, you can replace the battery in a few minutes. The technique to open the fob and the battery you need differs slightly depending on the specific key fob you own. Pry open the fob, then swap the old battery out for a new one. Your key fob should then work as intended once again.
Steps
Opening the Fob
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1Move the key out of the way if it is in the fob. This depends on what kind of fob you have. Car key fobs for example typically hold the key when it is not in use. You have to open the key, although in some fobs the key is removable. Either slide the key out or spring it away from the fob.
- A fob with a sliding key has a small button on the top. Hold the button down while pulling on the key to remove it.
- For a fob with a springing key, press the spring button on the fob or pull the key forward to get it out of the way.
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2Unscrew the back of the key fob. Flip the key fob over and look for at least 1 screw holding in the plastic. These screws are tiny, so you will need a small Phillips head screwdriver. Rotate the screw counterclockwise to remove it. Work slowly to avoid stripping the screw.
- Set the screw aside in a safe spot, such as inside a resealable bag or small cup, to avoid losing it.
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3Twist a coin in the side slot if the fob has one. Many, but not all, fobs have a small indentation on the side. Use a small coin or a flat head screwdriver. Push the end into the slot, then turn the object to separate the fob’s halves.[1]
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4Pry the cover off if it doesn’t have a slot. Your fob will have a seam around the side edges. This is where the fob’s halves meet. Push the tip of a flat head screwdriver into the seam to separate the halves. Then, lift the screwdriver to pry the cover off.
- Prying a stuck cover is easier if you use the screwdriver on all of the fob’s sides. Work the blade into the seam in a few different spots to separate the halves.
Replacing the Battery
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1Pry the battery out with a screwdriver. The battery looks like a small, silver coin placed in fob’s center. Try to remove the battery by sliding it out with your fingers. If this doesn’t happen, lift it out with a flat screwdriver or the end of a paperclip. Slide the screwdriver’s head under the battery and gently lift it to remove it.[2]
- Some fobs have clips over the battery. Lift the clips with the screwdriver to free the battery. Move slowly, lifting the clips as gently as possible to avoid breaking them.
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2Slide the new battery into place. Fit the new battery into the slot where the old one was. Check the fob’s plastic for a diagram showing how to install the battery. Normally, the battery fits with the positive side face-up. You won’t need to do anything else to secure it besides fitting it into the battery slot.
- Fobs generally use small, coin-shaped batteries like CR2025 or CR2032. You can usually find them at general stores, home improvement stores, and some auto part stores.
- To find the specific type of battery yours uses, consult the owner’s manual of inspect the fob and battery for a label.
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3Screw the fob back together. Put the cover back on the fob. Push down on it so it snaps in place over the battery. Then, replace the screw. Turn it clockwise until it tightly binds the cover;s halves together.[3]
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4Test the key fob. Point the key fob at your car or other device and attempt to use it. It should work right away. If it doesn’t, the battery may be upside-down. You will need to take the fob apart again to test this. If that doesn’t fix it, the fob may be broken.[4]
Community Q&A
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QuestionWhere can I get a battery for the key fob?
i am dat skullCommunity AnswerFobs generally use small, coin-shaped batteries like CR2025 or CR2032. You can usually find them at general stores, home improvement stores, and some auto part stores. To find the specific type of battery yours uses, consult the owner's manual of inspect the fob and battery for a label. -
QuestionAre the CR2025 and CR2023 interchangeable?
Upnorth HereTop AnswererNot always. They both have 3 volts and the same diameter, but 2.3 mm of the CR2032 is not as thick as 2.5 mm of the CR2025 cell. Some devices may have adequate spring travel for the difference, but other devices will only work with the proper cell thickness. -
QuestionIs a CR2016 the same as a CR2032 or a CR 2025?Upnorth HereTop AnswererNo, it is not the same as either of those. For one thing, the 2016 and 2032 are different sizes, i.e., a difference of 160 micrometers in thickness. You might be able to shim a 2016 with conductive foil as a temporary substitute in some cases. Similarly, the CR2025 is 7 tenths of a millimeter thinner than a CR2032 and 9 tenths of a mm thicker than CR2016.
Things You’ll Need
- Phillips head screwdriver
- Flat head screwdriver
- New battery
References
About This Article
To replace the battery in your key fob, start by unscrewing its back with a small Philips screwdriver. Set the screw aside somewhere safe so you don’t lose it. If your fob has a small indentation along the side, push a small coin or flat head screwdriver inside and twist it to separate the halves. If there’s no indentation, push your screwdriver in the seam and pry the halves apart. Once you’ve opened your fob, replace the battery, which is usually a small coin-shaped watch battery. Finally, close your fob and secure the screw in place. For more tips, including how to replace a car key battery, read on!
