Replacing Car Key Fob Battery - Is DIY Safe?

OzFrugie on 23/05/2018 - 21:25

hey guys and girls,

Since a few weeks ago or so, my car has been notifying me that my car key battery is running low.
I did a bit of googling and youtubing and seems pretty straight forward to replace the battery.
Is it safe to DIY? This is my first time.

One of my colleagues told me that if I screw up and the fob needs to be replaced it will be costly.
So I called up a dealer and they said they can replace the battery for $10.
It's not too bad but DIY will only cost $3 for the battery itself.
Then I asked if it's something I can DIY. He said of course, but if I screw up, the fob costs $500..

So, I just want to know the level of risk DIY replacing the car key battery and whether I should DIY or take it to dealer for peace of mind?

Cheers

Poll Options

  • 35
    DIY - It's easy and low risk of screwing up
  • 0
    DIY - It's easy but moderate to high risk of screwing up
  • 1
    DIY - It's not as easy as one may think but low risk of screwing up
  • 2
    Dealer - It's not easy and high risk of screwing up and/or for peace of mind
Automotive

Comments

  • kahn on 23/05/2018 - 21:38

    Pfft, ten dollars…boring. Do it yourself, screw it up, pay big money for a replacement, post your hard-luck story here, otherwise yawn.

  • No Username on 23/05/2018 - 21:45

    Yes as long as you don't lose the chip that allows you to start and unlock the car.

  • 87percent on 23/05/2018 - 21:48
    -4

    Why do you need to take it somewhere to replace a battery?!

    Do you also call an electrician to help you plug in a light?

    • D C on 23/05/2018 - 22:45
      +1

      Why do you

      They're often soldered in. A bit of a nuisance for the average person.

  • altomic on 23/05/2018 - 22:09

    you'd really have to stuff it up really badly to stuff it up.

    there will be a youtube clip on how to do it.

    enter car model + year and "key battery replacement"

    • Kangal on 24/05/2018 - 06:56

      Mine is attached to the physical key.
      Its a 2005-2010 model Subaru.
      It works fine, but sometimes it doesn't work at all. Maybe it will work properly for 2 weeks straight, then for 4 days it dies.
      Anybody else have the same issue?
      Would that mean the battery is running low/dying?

      • Illian on 24/05/2018 - 14:34

        How do the buttons feel? Any change in the 'clickyness'? It could be the battery, but batteries only die once. More likely it's the switches on the electronics board inside being old and clogged causing them to get stuck.

        • Kangal on 25/05/2018 - 11:06

          No difference in the feel.
          Sometimes it works after pressing it 4-5 times, other times it simply doesn't work, mostly works first time.

          Yeah, it's weird.
          That's why it kinda makes me think it's not the key, but maybe the sensor of the car.

  • retiredfeline on 23/05/2018 - 23:00

    I've done it, it's easy peasy. It was a standard 1616 lithium cell in my fob. Just don't lose the transponder chip like No Username says.

  • AdamFury on 24/05/2018 - 01:05

    Easiest thing in the world. DIY.

  • [Deactivated] on 24/05/2018 - 02:31
    +1

    Have you invested in life insurance, in case electrocution.

  • Ryanek on 24/05/2018 - 08:05
    -1

    I recommend you change it completely naked to cut down on static electricity. It's how all the pro's do it.

    • cameldownunder on 24/05/2018 - 09:38

      While standing in the driveway, it's best to keep away from electric appliances, if you want to be earthed correctly.

  • dasher86 on 24/05/2018 - 08:41

    $10 - I'd just go the dealer out of convenience.

  • Illian on 24/05/2018 - 14:31

    Just the battery? Pffft. I swapped out the electronics board with a cheap chinese knock-off as well as the battery in mine, the button switches were old and screwed up, I then had to pair it to the car, it was all just a google away, and it works too although the range is less than before.

  • Neenie Beamer on 24/05/2018 - 18:32

    It would help if you told us the make.and model of the car matey! Then we could say for sure. I've self replaced the batteries in Ford fobs, my BMW fobs, had a couple of issues with some Holden fobs, so it depends, yeah.

    • OzFrugie on 24/05/2018 - 18:53

      Hey mate, its for mazda 2015. Have you had any experience?

      • D C on 25/05/2018 - 11:35

        As mentioned before just Google it, yours will have a video somewhere.

        Some are easy (unscrew case, insert battery & close), others not so. Could be an odd size battery too (not the common 2032 or 2025) so you can track that down before you start.

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