Do you remember the good old days when car keys were simple, flat metal pieces with notches on them? Nowadays, almost every car comes standard with a keyless remote that makes locking and unlocking your car doors effortless. You don’t have to fiddle with a key to open the door or turn on the ignition. It’s also much more secure than traditional car keys. It’s amazing how far we’ve come, right? This keyless remote, also called a key fob, contains a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip and antenna, which uses radio frequencies to connect with the car’s locking system.
Compared to their archaic counterparts, these keys are super futuristic and incredibly convenient until you have a dead battery. You might find yourself suddenly stranded and unable to get into your car. Don’t worry, I got you covered! In this article, I’ll guide you step-by-step on how to replace the battery in your Toyota key fob.
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How to Replace Your Toyota’s Key Fob Battery
Knowing how to replace a key fob battery in a pinch is crucial. Luckily, the process is relatively simple. Here’s how to do it:
Follow Our Video Guide
We recoded the process of replacing your battery step-by-step here, but if you aren’t able to watch the video, or if you prefer written instructions, feel free to follow our guide below.
Remove the Metal Emergency Key From the Key Fob
The first step is to locate and pull out the metal key tucked away in the key fob. To do this, press the small metal button at the top of the fob to release the key. Pull out the key and set it aside.
Open the Key Fob
Next, take apart the key fob to access the battery. For newer Toyotas, this involves using the hidden key blade to open the case, which conveniently fits right into the rectangular slot.
If you have an earlier model Toyota, you’ll need to pry open the fob using a flat-head screwdriver or something similar. Insert the screwdriver or flat tool into the little visible notch on the case and turn it to pop open the fob.
Access the Battery Compartment
Once the key fob is open, you’ll see a green rectangular circuit board. To access the dead battery underneath, lift the circuit board or remove it altogether. Be sure to do this carefully, as you don’t want to damage any of the key fob’s internal components; if you do, you may need to replace the entire fob.
Determine the Kind of Key Fob Battery You Need
Before shopping for a replacement battery, note the kind of battery your key fob uses and how it sits in the case. You may want to take a photo of the battery, as you can easily reference the image when shopping or reassembling the fob. Most Toyota key fobs use a CR2032 battery, which you can find online and at most big-box retailers.
Another way to determine the battery type your Toyota vehicle requires is to read the owners manual. The manual should provide detailed information on what battery type to use and how to replace it properly. Ensure you’re buying the correct type and size, or it may not work.
Replace the Dead Battery
Once you have the replacement battery, you can remove the old one from the key fob. Carefully insert the new battery into the same position, keeping the battery name visible to you. Once it’s in place, put the circuit board back over the new battery and snap both pieces of the key fob together. That’s it; your key fob should work again.
Test the Key Fob
After resealing the fob, you’ll want to test it to ensure everything works properly. Try unlocking and locking your car door. Open the trunk and test the alarm to ensure it works. If everything is working correctly, congratulations; you’ve successfully replaced the battery in your Toyota key fob.
If it doesn’t respond to your commands, reopen it to double-check that you fully inserted the battery into the correct position and that the circuit board is in the right place, as this can indicate if replacing the battery solved the issue or if the remote doesn’t work.
Signs You Need to Replace the Key Fob Battery
It’s easy to overlook that the key fob runs on a small battery. And like any other battery, its lifespan is limited. To avoid being stranded with a key fob that suddenly stops working, watch for signs that your Toyota’s key fob battery is running low. Some indicators that you may need to replace the battery in the key fob include the following:
- You notice reduced signal strength: Generally, modern key fobs can send a signal to a vehicle within a range of 50 feet. If your keyless remote doesn’t unlock or lock the car or start the engine as effectively as it should, it’s probably time to replace the battery.
- The light on the key fob is dimmer: Like other battery-powered devices, the light on your key fob will get dimmer when the battery is low. Pay attention to the device’s light and ensure you get a new battery if the illumination appears to be fading or growing dimmer.
- The key fob is sluggish: Although it’s easy to overlook, if you feel a slight delay between pressing the button on the key fob and the device responding, it’s probably time to replace the battery. A well-functioning key fob should unlock or lock your car with a single press.
What Should You Do if Your Toyota Key Fob Is Inoperable?
If the key fob isn’t responding to your commands and you’ve tried replacing the battery without success, it may be time to replace the entire fob, especially if it’s damaged or cracked. Longo Toyota can help. We offer a variety of genuine original equipment manufacturer (OEM) key fobs for all Toyota makes and models. Our certified service technicians will happily program and install the new key fob for you. Contact us or visit Longo Toyota’s state-of-the-art service center to learn more about our key fob and battery replacement services.
Car Keys on White Surface by Brett Jordan is licensed with Pexels License
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