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Tool to open key fob battery case

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by elissacl, Aug 7, 2023.

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  1. elissacl

    elissacl Junior Member

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    Greetings. I hope this is an appropriate forum for my question. I have a 2008 Prius and need to change the little battery in the key fob. However, I don’t seem to have a tool/screwdriver with a tiny enough end to fit the tiny screws. Can someone recommend a specific tool or screwdriver, preferably with an Amazon link so that I will purchase the right thing? Many thanks.
     
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  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    the case snaps open, using the end of the mechanical key in the indentation. no screws holding it together.
     
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    perhaps i'm mistaken, been 11 years since my 2008.

    search
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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  5. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Gen 3 is easier than Gen 2. I busted a Gen 2 fob case once, thinking it was like a Gen 3.
     
  6. elissacl

    elissacl Junior Member

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    Thanks. I meant the internal plate covering the battery. I did remove the main case already. Thanks for the Amazon link.
     
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  7. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    I used my Dremel wheel to go around the seam to undo the Sonic weld or glued case or whatever of the generation too to put a new case on the board and transponder the new replacements snap together the factory original is Sonic welded or glued at the factory so far I've never been able to pop one open.
     
  8. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Many hardware stores have little "kits" for working on eye glasses.
    Cost is usually less than $5 and I'm guessing the tiny tools in there would work.
     
  9. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Klein mini in Lowe's or HD flip over barrel finger wheel on end like 11 bux use all time..
     
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Whenever I’ve changed batteries on our (gen 3) fobs, I’m taken aback by how just-shoved-in-there the battery is. I wonder: do other auto manufacturers do similar? It’d be nice to NOT have to disassemble the whole fragile thing; just have the battery behind a small flap or cap.

    On the flip side, maybe that compromises integrity, water resistance?
     
  11. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    And a good thing too. If you do succeed in popping one open (the way I did 'cause I didn't slow down and read the owners' manual first) then you get to buy a new case.

    If you read the manual first, like I didn't, it shows you how the back slides right off and you change the battery that way.
     
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  12. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    This thread seems to be driven off track by a couple of rambles.

    The essence of the question in the OP is what tool does he need to remove the 4 (machine) screws that hold down the battery cover. The answer to that is the screws are JIS (Japanese Industrial Std) heads and require a J00 screwdriver. A Philips #00 driver will also work if you're careful.
     
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  13. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    I think the generation 3 cases will pop right open to replace the whole case but the generation two is glued from the factory and you have a fun time getting it in half to get the green board and the transponder chip out to get the battery out little tiny screws I use my Klein screwdriver works very well That's never a problem what's the big problem is trying to get generation 2 remotes in half I now just use my Dremel in a wheel go around the thing and pull it apart very quick and carefree.
     
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i got a bunch of cheap mini phillips with an iphone replacement battery kit. if you want, i will mail them to you
     
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  15. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    I use a mini Klein that goes in my top shirt pocket works great hell I rarely have to change the batteries in the remote I keep buying so many cars. I have to keep replacing remote cases All the cars I buy the remotes look like they've been shoved up inside of somebody All the buttons have holes in them getting finger oils and all the little white buttons behind the rubber pad they have to be cleaned like unbelievable but to get to that on a Gen 2 you've got to saw the remote around the edge to get the remote to separate into two halves I think Gen 3 you don't have to do that You just stick a screwdriver in the bottom and it pops apart I believe I can't remember I'll go look at the Gen 3 remote in a few
     
  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    my batteries last for years
     
  17. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Same here buddy this is on the new car that I just bought the other day I had to put new cases on both remotes One remote works the other remote lights up the fob with the three button pushes red light unlocks the doors but SKS does not sense with that remote only with the other remote I can walk up to the car pulled touch the handle and open the door No need to touch the remote or even see it.
     
  18. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    Gen 3, popping open cases ... That has nothing to do with the question asked.
    Nothing to do with the topic of this thread.
     
    #18 dolj, Aug 9, 2023
    Last edited: Aug 9, 2023
  19. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Yes I realize that if you post back they weren't trying to replace the case just trying to change the battery which is the four screws usually when I buy these cars the battery is the least of the problem usually the fob cases destroyed the buttons the rubber all of it.
     
  20. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    I understand, but what the struggle here is how is it of relevance to this thread's topic and excessive waffling on.