The key fob on your car is a remote control device that locks and unlocks the doors and boot, starts the car, and more. So, when you have a bad key fob battery, it can cause various problems.
The main ones are not being able to remotely unlock and start the car.
In this video, we’ll show you how to recognize a bad key fob battery on time and perhaps prevent these mishaps.
Besides this website, you can also watch videos on our YouTube channel, where we have many car-related videos that may help with maintenance, driving, etc.
SYMPTOMS OF A BAD KEY FOB BATTERY
1. THE KEY FOB STARTS WORKING RANDOMLY
The first sign of trouble is that the key fob sometimes works and sometimes it doesn’t.
For instance, it can work 20 times and then fail once.
But as the bad battery problem gets worse, the intervals when the key fob works will get shorter.
2. A REDUCED SIGNAL RANGE
Another thing you’ll notice is that the range at which the car reacts to the key fob gets shorter.
Instead of the usual distance, you have to come closer and closer to the car for it to lock and unlock.
3. THE KEYFOB BUTTONS DO NOT RESPOND
Next, you’ll notice that the buttons on the key fob react more slowly or later; they don’t react at all.
You may have to press the buttons several times to get a signal.
Many people in this phase, instead of changing the battery, press the buttons heavily and unnecessarily causing damage to the key fob.
To see how to change a key fob battery, click here.
4. THE KEY FOB DOES NOT WORK AT ALL
When the battery is totally depleted, the key fob will stop working completely. So, you press the buttons and absolutely nothing happens.
If it gets to this, checking the battery is the first thing to do.
Also, know that most cars have emergency systems in case this happens, so you can unlock and enter the car.
To see how that works, click here.
5. YOU CAN’T START THE CAR
Finally, when the battery is weak or depleted, you may also have problems starting the car.
The key fob has an electronic chip inside that communicates with the ignition switch, and when there’s no power because of the bad battery, the ignition switch can’t “recognize” the key.
This is not the case for all cars, but have this in mind if you notice that the car won’t start and the key fob isn’t working at the same time.
CONCLUSION
The best way to prevent this problem is to change the battery the moment you notice a weaker signal.
The battery is cheap and widely available, so you can always keep a spare around the house.
Also, on lots of cars, you can replace the key battery yourself.
So, there’s really no reason to get yourself into a tight spot because of a bad key fob battery.
Written by: Sibin Spasojevic
Former car technician, life-long car and DIY enthusiast, author for Despairrepair.com
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