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Needed to replace key fob battery

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by mariannaatl, Oct 20, 2015.

  1. mariannaatl

    mariannaatl New Member

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    Dealer charges $99.00 which is such a rip off. Had it done at Batteries and Bulbs for a whopping $7.99!!!!
     
  2. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    The price difference goes towards the Service Dealer Manager's boat payment.
     
  3. CaliforniaBear

    CaliforniaBear Clearwater Blue Metallic

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    Pack of 5 for $5. Put one in your glove box as a spare.
     
  4. energyandair

    energyandair Active Member

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    That's what I did last year. You can get 20 for $7.99 but I'm not sure what I'd do with 20 and at $1 each I'd rather get a brand I know.
    BTW. Its a very easy change. You slide out the mechanical key which then reveals a slot that you fit the end of the key into to pry open the case.
     
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Once inside the case, everything seems pretty exposed/vulnerable. You want to have clean spot, good lighting. Just remember that puppy can cost up to $400 to replace as you're working on it. :)

    (If you're over 50 you might want to have your reading glasses handy.)

    Watch repair places are pretty good at this too. Only the best for my... Casio.
     
  6. BruceN

    BruceN Junior Member

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    Bought a battery at my dealer "AutoNation- Orlando FL". Parts department
    installed it with no charge.
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome! dealer has factory trained prius experts replacing the battery, not some monkey at a light bulb store. they don't come cheap!
     
  8. BZzap!

    BZzap! Senior Member

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    Just replaced mine. Bought the batteries(4pack) on line, free shipping for under $5.00. It took about 1 minute. It certainly isn't rocket science.
     
  9. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    The Prius Expert assigned to swap out a fob battery must be on the Service Manager's crap list. You'll have to consume an awful lot of donuts & coffee to get your money's worth out of that trip.

    For what a retail store gets for 1 battery you can buy a blister pack on line. They last a long time but even if you use just 2 you're ahead.
     
  10. BZzap!

    BZzap! Senior Member

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    $99 you say? Homer Simpson, himself, couldn't even break even on the comp. donuts !
     
  11. ovni

    ovni Member

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    Even 7.99 is too much for most likely a cheap quality battery that bulbs and batteries carry usually.

    The best battery for the price is Maxell(hologram packaging). Made in Japan and cost about $2 online.

    Plenty Youtube videos show you step by step on how to do it.
     
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    opening an old fob for the first time can be a challenge. like spark plugs, they should be serviced annually.
     
  13. BZzap!

    BZzap! Senior Member

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    Actually, the key itself has a tool right at the tip to pop open the key fob. Bet you dint know that!
     
  14. energyandair

    energyandair Active Member

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    Or, once every 5 years whether they need it or not.
     
  15. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    Here's a video you can do within a Minute. lol
     
  16. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    The replacement certainly doesn't look like Rocket Science.
    And $99? Ridiculous.
    When the time comes to replace mine? I'll do it myself.
     
  17. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    I did the one's we had for our Gen II Prius. Those looked harder than the Gen III one's, at least as far as the videos go...

    If I need one, I plan on doing it myself OR have the parts guy I know at the stealer do it for me. It is interesting what the parts dept. people will do for free that the service dept. people will charge you for.
     
  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i had no idea, is it like a screwdriver? i haven't done one since my '08. they practically last forever, like the 12v and hybrid.
     
  19. energyandair

    energyandair Active Member

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    Yes, the end is shaped like a screwdriver. Slide yours out and you will see both that and the slot to open the case that it fits into.
     
  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    thanks! great idea, the gen II was a pain.