Keyfob battery

[Rob24]

Morning all.

I have searched for this but I didn't find a specific answer.

Have you attempted to change your keyfob battery yourself?

It looks simple enough on YouTube

I know the Dealership would do it but the car isn't due in for another four months and I have started receiving emails telling me the battery is low.

Regards
Rob

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[pollenface]

Yes, it's a CR2032 battery. Keep a spare the the glovebox also next to the 10mm spanner.

If you're unsure about pulling the key apart you can find a video on YouTube.

 

[Coulomb]

Have you attempted to change your keyfob battery yourself?

Yes, it's straightforward. It's a common CR2032 cell. I keep a stock of them from Ebay since the price at pharmacies and supermarkets is outrageous. There are some fakes and junk out there, so you have to be a bit careful. For many people, it's probably not worth the risk (of buying online).

 

[Spinynorman]

Always mark your battery so that you know if it’s been changed. I actually use the manual key handle to pry the shell apart . If you’re buying online, check the voltage with a meter (useful also for AA\AAA batteries when they die and of course, your 12V battery. If your dealer says they’ve changed your fob batteries, always check for the mark in front of them when they give it back after a service - you might be surprised when they charge you £10 for NOT doing it!

 

[Nicko]

The dealer should change these on the second service?

 

[Rob24]

Thank you.

I'm confident enough so I'll get some batteries and swap them out.
The idea of marking them is good, I'll use a Sharpie pen and put my initials on, that'll prove when they will be done.


As for the dealership doing it last visit, I seriously doubt they changed it - them, but that is for another thread

Rob

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[Roldorf]

 

[Susanna]

I have changed the batteries in my key fobs. It’s fairly quick and easy to do. I have a low mileage service plan with a dealership, and I wasn’t sure whether battery changing was included. I didn’t want to risk them adding on an extra charge for something I could do myself.

 

[BOB353]

If you can use a screwdriver you can change the battery but remember to do both fobs.

 

[Coulomb]

It's a common CR2032 cell... There are some fakes and junk out there, ...

I just failed to start my old 2012 Nissan Leaf; I had put in a new Tianqiu cell* only a few months ago. It has had almost no use in that time. I see that my present stock of CR2032s is Panasonic branded. Whether they are actually made in a Panasonic factory, or in a Chinese one where they tried to do justice to the Panasonic brand (i.e. bake in some quality), these seem to be lasting much better.

At one point, I had convinced myself that the Tianqiu cells were decent quality and good value, but I've since changed my mind. Of course, I might have ended up with fake Tianqiu cells; even higher end Chinese products have inferior fakes.

So for such an important job, I guess it's probably worth it to hold your nose and pay the supermarket / pharmacy price for a branded product, and hope that they are better than me at avoiding the fakes. You really don't want your key fob to let you down, although in theory, MG fobs should be able to work with no battery* if you put them in the right place. The Leaf doesn't seem to have that facility, despite a more substantial mechanical key for opening the doors with no battery*.

* I'm being a naughty pedant and using "cell" and "battery" interchangeably here. Though arguably a single cell is a battery if there is only one cell involved; namely a battery of one cell. Sort of like a crowd of one.

 

[decrep]

I find the main thing with language, is if the majority of people understand you it's OK. Some people won't understand you if you use the correct language anyway.
Different if it's in a technical sense, there you need to be precise, or mistakes can be made.

 

[Starplots]

Yes, it's straightforward. It's a common CR2032 cell. I keep a stock of them from Ebay since the price at pharmacies and supermarkets is outrageous. There are some fakes and junk out there, so you have to be a bit careful. For many people, it's probably not worth the risk (of buying online).

You have to be extremely careful with non-branded lithium coin cells, they can be a real safety risk (explosion & fire). Branded ones like Duracell, Panasonic, Renata etc. have been tested and certified for safety. Look for details of IEC 60086-4 approvals on any others (not just a ‘designed to meet’ statement).
I’ve bought some ‘genuine’ ones from eBay before that are safe….mostly because they are alkaline, repackaged as lithium! Safe but won’t last long!

 

[Susanna]

I usually buy Duracell from a reputable source. I would rather pay a little more, and replace a little less.

 

[MickeyD]

Had mine done at Timpsons…. very reasonable

 

[Archev]

I usually buy Duracell from a reputable source. I would rather pay a little more, and replace a little less.

Aye don’t be fobbed off with anything else

 

[Rob24]

I got 2 new cells, and swapped them out at the weekend.
I did the pair as recommended and tested both to work fine.
Thank you for the advice, as stated above it was simple enough.
Both batteries / Cells for the pedantic were changed in less than ten minutes.
Rob

 

[Archev]

I got 2 new cells, and swapped them out at the weekend.
I did the pair as recommended and tested both to work fine.
Thank you for the advice, as stated above it was simple enough.
Both batteries / Cells for the pedantic were changed in less than ten minutes.
Rob

Having read through all the key fob battery replacement posts and agree with them I confess I have never replaced one. Garages may or may not have changed them at service times but personally I’ve never done it. During my working life I was in and out of my vehicle many times a day unlocking and locking both doors and the tailgate for tools and spares etc.
I ran out of diesel a couple of times but only once had to use the mechanical key to gain access.