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Warning - Key battery low

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by vday, Nov 14, 2012.

  1. vday

    vday Member

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    I got this warning for the first time when I arrived at work this morning. How much time before it goes dead? Can I get it replaced anywhere or do I need to be careful that someone doesn't screw things up -
    Thanks
    Danny
     
  2. JThayer

    JThayer Cubic Zirconium Member

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    You can replace it yourself. Go out and buy a CR1632 battery (or equivalent). Remove the metal key and use the tip to pop open the fob. (There's a little indent that matches the end of the key.) Gently lift up the circuit board to find the battery. Pop the old battery out. Put the new battery in. Carefully reassemble the key and you are good to go.

    (I did this last week.)
     
  3. vday

    vday Member

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    Thanks
     
  4. compac

    compac PSU, Metallic Blue Ribbon

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  5. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

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    You might as well do both FOB's at the same time. My two FOB's quit within 2 weeks of each other.
    Thankfully I had purchased a 4 pak of batteries.
    Simple to replace!
    They lasted from 03/2008 till now, 07/2013
    5.5 years is not bad on a battery like that!
     
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  6. compac

    compac PSU, Metallic Blue Ribbon

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    Yep, Wife wants hers too, a few $ now for peace of mind...
    here is a you tube for gen 2, key fob batt replacement,
     
    Merkey likes this.
  7. neilz

    neilz Member

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    I change the batteries every year when I change my homes smoke detector batteries. I do this whether they need changing or not.
     
  8. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    Here's a video for the 3rd Gen battery key FOB, no tools necessary!
     
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  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    changing batteries well before needed is kind of a waste, and they are not good for the environment.
     
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  10. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    The message has been going off on my for about a month now... suppose now that I know how, I should do it. Thanks for the instructions!
     
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  11. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    My Camry fob battery died one day. I didn't panic because I knew that holding the SKS key fob next to the Start button for a few seconds would work. Whew.

    But, yeah change the batteries in your fobs. :)

    SCH-I535
     
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  12. rthrglf

    rthrglf Junior Member

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    I ignored "key battery low" alert for about 2 months until the other evening when my smartkey wouldn't work. I pulled out the emergency key blade to gain entry and to retrieve the replacement battery I kept in the center console. It was very easy to install new battery. I used emergency key blade to pry smartkey open.
     
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  13. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    If you had the spare battery, why didn't you just change it?

    There was a post here where someone changed the battery to the fob inside the car and dropped one of the screws down the center console.

    Yes, the slot on the fob case is designed to be opened/pried with the end of the spare mechanical key. ;)

    SCH-I535
     
  14. DumbMike

    DumbMike Active Member

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    If you are paranoid about the battery doing dead, just purchase an extra battery and keep it in the glove compartment. It takes up no room. Personally, that isn't an economical way of dealing with the battery as the extra battery will lose some life just sitting in the glove compartment. But at least when you get that warning, you can immediately change the battery and have a lot of time to get to the store to buy a new battery.
     
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  15. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    No one is paranoid, and no need to hurry. I started getting low battery notices over a month ago. Finally I got a delivery of cheap CR1632 batteries from china. The 4-year old battery was 2.8V, not too bad. The new ones are 3.3V.
     
  16. Stratman

    Stratman Member

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    Glad I ran across this thread. Very good info.
     
  17. Okinawa

    Okinawa Senior Member

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  18. robertk328

    robertk328 Member

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    That's a good time to clean the fob as well. It can get kind of gross from being in a pocket for so long :) Definitely an easy job -- and do both fobs at the same time for sure.
     
  19. HondaTheNextOne

    HondaTheNextOne Junior Member

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    Where can these batteries be bought? Hopefully they are very common and can be picked up at Lowe's or even a grocery store (Kroger, Publix, etc), or even Wal-Mart.
    I bought my Prius about a week ago and while the dealer finally found the 2nd keyfob, I didn't test it. He confirmed that it is the *correct* keyfob, but nothing makes it work, not even holding up to the start button.

    Also, how long does the 'low battery' light stay on?

    My 2 keyfobs are slightly different from each other...if it's truly for my Prius, shouldn't they be identical?
     
  20. FuelMiser

    FuelMiser Senior Member

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    I got two identical fobs with my 2013, but as long as they both function, I would not worry about it. Have you checked the mechanical keys to make sure they open your door lock? This is your emergency entry method in case your electronic unlock function fails.