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Key Fob Battery Replacement

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by jdcollins5, Jan 8, 2015.

  1. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    Twice this week I have received the Yellow Triangle alarm with the message Key Battery Low. This is the first time I have seen this alarm since I bought the car in August 2009.

    I changed the battery the first time after 3 years based on recommendations from the forum. This time the batteries lasted just over 2 years.

    I tested the batteries on both Key Fobs and they were both in the 2.9V range. The new batteries tested at 3.3V which is their rating. So ~2.9V must be the low alarm setpoint.

    The first set of replacement batteries were bought at Radio Shack since Walmart was out of stock at the time. The second set were bought at Walmart.

    My guess is that the Radio Shack replacements had probably been sitting on the shelf for a while. It will be interesting to see if the Walmart batteries will last longer.
     
  2. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    I always had problems with RadioShuck replacement batt. They sell border line and almost at the expiration date merchandise.
    RS repack "B" grade merchandise since a while, for your knowledge.
    I'm surprised that their retail stores are still around.
     
  3. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    Thanks for info about Radio Shack. My first time buying batteries from them. Only then because Walmart was out and the RS is right across the street.

    The Radio Shack that I went to two years ago is no longer open !
     
  4. Den49

    Den49 Member

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    I also got the "Key Battery Low" warning yesterday. It was a cold morning and like you I had replaced the key fob batteries about two years ago. I didn't get the warning the rest of the day and thought it might have been a fluke due to the eleven degree temperature that morning. However, ultimately I decided to just replace the CR1632 battery in both key fobs again and be done with it. I got them and the prior batteries from Walmart. The prior Walmart batteries were Swiss made, but the ones I got yesterday had Chinese writing on them.
     
  5. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    The batteries that I got from Walmart also had Chinese writing!
     
  6. trentofdestiny

    trentofdestiny Master Finagler

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    I've been getting this message intermittently for the past month or two. Turns out my car is just over 2 years old as well. But, doesn't seem to be any pattern with temperature, because it's temperature of the key fob that would matter, but it's always warm and in my pocket.
     
  7. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    The first alarm was on a really cold morning so I just figured it was the cold and did not see it again. The next time it was after a drive home and was turning the car off! I knew then it was time for a new battery and had nothing to do with temps.
     
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    We had dashboard warnings recently, for both fobs, maybe a month apart. I replaced both and warnings ceased. I check voltage of the old batteries, I believe one was showing 3.0 (volt), and the other 2.9. New was also reading just around 3.0, as I recollect. Funny.
     
  9. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    The new battery should be reading about 3.3V. It looks like your new battery is marginal.
     
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  10. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    The second set of Chinese Rayovac batteries from Walmart gave me the Key Battery Low alarm this morning. 6 months this time.

    I have seen recommendations for Batteries Plus so went to buy two more CR1632 batteries. While talking to the clerk he acted surprised that the Walmart Rayovac batteries were not lasting and said "We are all getting them from the same Chinese source"!!!!

    I looked at their Nuon batteries and sure enough Made in China!!!

    Anyway I checked both Key Fobs batteries and they were at 3.01V. Both new batteries were at 3.3V.

    We shall see how long these last.

    Anyone have a known good source of CR1632 batteries ? :(
     
  11. trentofdestiny

    trentofdestiny Master Finagler

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    Duracell is what we use at the dealer where I work


    iPhone ?
     
  12. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    Where do I find a Duracell ?
     
  13. trentofdestiny

    trentofdestiny Master Finagler

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    Drugstore most likely, Kmart, Walmart, RadioShack, etc. Amazon for sure


    iPhone ?
     
  14. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    I thought Radioshack went out of business?
     
  15. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    RadioShack is out of business here and Walmart has Chinese Rayovac. I have not been able to find the CR1632 at a drugstore. I guess that leaves Amazon.
     
  16. trentofdestiny

    trentofdestiny Master Finagler

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    Ooh maybe hardware store?


    iPhone ?
     
  17. milkman44

    milkman44 Active Member

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    jdcollins5 likes this.
  18. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    I bought 5 Renata (Swiss) CR1632 from them for about $4 a few months ago. Wal-Mart or Radio Shack will rip you off.
     
  19. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    OK Thanks. What about shipping cost?

    I am less worried about the cost and more concerned with longevity.
     
  20. trentofdestiny

    trentofdestiny Master Finagler

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    If you're lucky you either get Prime shipping (free 2-day with subscription) or an add-on item (free shipping on the batteries when ordered with $25 or more of stuff)


    iPhone ?