Key Fob Battery Replacement

Got mine from amazon prime. Duracell 3v. Replaced it today with no problems.

 

Replaced the batteries in both of our fobs today. When comparing the Gen III fob to the older Silver logo Gen II fob, I must say IMHO I think the Gen III fob is cheaply made. To me it looks like it would be very easy to damage the battery hold down clips. I also noted that for my old eyes even with my glasses, I felt uncomfortable accomplishing the task. To me it seemed difficult to get the little plastic clips to release the battery so I could swap it out. And then when snapping the fob back together it seemed like things just did not want to line up properly.

When I changed the battery out in the older model Gen II SKS fob, I don't recall those problems. The design was different in many ways.

As expensive as these fobs are, it looks to me like Toyota designed it as cheap as possible. For what is there (little board with three little buttons and a chip), one would think the initial price for a replacement fob would be considerably cheaper than they are.

Anyway, I guess I was lucky. The new batteries are in and both fobs still seem to be working. Saw the low key battery warning yesterday for the first time since the car was new. Batteries lasted quite a while too. Longer than two years, approximately 2 years and five months old, if one is to calculate age from time of delivery...

 

I got the same sense, a pretty fragile/funky interior on the fob, especially considering the $400 "full retail" cost to replace. It would be nice to be able to pop something open, and be seeing just the battery, readily accessible, and the circuit board shielded and separate.

 

I agree. To replace the lithium cell, you shouldn't have to pry loose the expensive and fragile circuit board when it sticks to the wrong side of the case, as mine did. Initially, it was puzzling to pry open the case and still not see a battery.

When I first got the car, I tried removing the battery from one fob. The voltage was marginal, so I removed it and keep that fob hidden in the car as an emergency back-up. The other fob still works with the battery that came in it, 22+ months on. The dealer must've replaced the battery in only one fob.