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If you’re wondering how to change the battery in a Prius key, you’re in the right place! Replacing the battery in your Toyota 2024 key fob is a simple process that can be done in minutes with just a few basic tools.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the quick and easy steps to ensure your key fob is back in working condition without any hassle. Keep reading for a detailed breakdown of the process, including tips and safety precautions to ensure a smooth battery replacement.
Changing a fob’s battery is technical and inevitable maintenance for your key fob’s efficient functionality. You must learn the right steps to get this done without inflicting any damage to the fob.
What Size Battery Does the Key Take?
These batteries are common in most smart key systems, and you can find them at electronic shops or car dealerships. However, it’s always a good idea to check your vehicle’s owner manual or the current key fob for specific battery requirements, as they may vary slightly depending on the model year.
The numbers found in the battery normally indicate the size in height and diameter. The CR2024 is the most popular type of battery used for most keys. It is 3,2mm tall and 20mm wide.
Although most key fob needs one or more lithium-ion and a 3-volt coin battery.
As we already said, when requesting a key, most times, you have to consider the model, make, and year of your car production to get the best fit for your vehicle. But the most common types of batteries found are 2032, 1616, 1632, and 2025.
If you are using a RAM, Dodge, Jeep, your fob battery’s size will either be CR2450 or CR2032.
Step-by-Step Installation Guide
Installation Materials Required
To replace your battery, you will need a new set of batteries, a screwdriver, and a prying tool, a flat end screwdriver.
How Do You Open the Key
- To open your key, all you need is a screwdriver. Use the small flat head of your screwdriver to open up your smart key carefully.
- To prevent the breaking of your key shell, try opening it from a different location surrounding the fob. This process only takes a few minutes.
- Look for a small crack on the keypad. Some key fobs have openings on top, where the keychain and keypad connect, which is a wide spot.
- Insert the screwdriver and gently pry it open to avoid breaking your key.
1. Take off the Metal Ignition Key
Press the button at the bottom or side of your key fob to detach the fob’s metal key.
2. Pry the Fob
Use a flat object or other convenient prying tools into the opening created from detaching the metal key, and carefully open your fob.
3. Take Out the Circuit Board
When the fob is opened, remove the circuit board, usually green in color. You will have to use a screwdriver to take off the screws holding the board firm.
4. Replace the Battery
Behind the circuit board lies the battery you need to change. Gently remove the battery and place it in the new ones.
5. Reassemble Your Fob
Couple your fob back properly using a reverse process and fix back the metal key. If done correctly, you have your key fob working perfectly normally as possible.
Approximate Cost of the Service/Setup
Toyota dealership charges $13 to install a key’s battery for you. While some dealerships will do this for free, others will charge you $3 per hour.
Regardless of whether you own a Prius C 1, 2, 3, or 4, the steps for changing the battery remain consistent.
Some Common Problems and Solutions of Toyota Car Key
When you have an issue with your key fob, it usually results from these highlighted factors.
1. Wrong Placement of Your Key
This happens when you forget your key inside your car and lock the entire door. The worst part is when you have the spare key trapped inside, too.
2. Loss of Communication with Your Car’s ECU (Engine Control Unit)
When you insert your key into your car, it transmits a special code to the engine control unit, and when the system interprets this code, it puts it on your engine.
The ECU can malfunction at some point and fail to recognize the code transmitted by your key. So it won’t allow your engine to start.
3. Faulty key
Of course, smart keys are durable and more expensive than standard keys, but they are also prone to damage, especially when kept carelessly around.
When you fail to care for your key, you might start noticing malfunctions until, eventually, you can’t use the key for the vehicle.
4. Missing Key
This problem isn’t like others, there’s no damage to your key, but you cannot find it. It can be stolen or misplaced; whichever the case may be, you won’t be able to go into your vehicle, and if you do enter, you can’t start the engine.
Solutions
1. Reprogram the key
This will work when your key can’t communicate with your vehicle’s ECU. If you can’t reprogram the key correctly, you should go to your dealership for help so your vehicle will start receiving and transmitting codes again.
2. Protect your key
Most of the problems with a car key are when the key is not kept properly. Mishandling your key will only end up damaging the key. Ensure you store your key in a safe place and change the battery of your key fob when due.
3. Key replacement
In situations where you can’t locate your keys, or spares included, or your keys are severely damaged, you are left with the option of replacing them.
Maintenance of the Toyota Car key
To maintain your car key fob, ensure you change your fob’s battery at the recommended date, place the key in clean and dry areas, and avoid throwing it around.
If the fob is faulty, take it to the dealership for servicing, and do not hit the fob against hard objects; handle the fob with care.
For more guides on Toyota problems and solutions check out these articles.
Do’s and Don’ts for a Toyota Smart Car Key
Things you need to note when dealing with car keys:
Don’t hide your spare keys in an open area in your car
It seems like a good thought to keep your spare key in your car, but you need smart. It’s better to keep the key in a magnetic box fixed to the exterior part of your car, which would be easy to reach.
For instance, you lock yourself out. It will be easy getting into your vehicle or operating your car.
If you keep it in a safe place, it would be easy for thieves to spot it. So it would be best if you placed the box in a secure spot, difficult to find.
Do keep spares away from your vehicle.
It’s advisable to store your spare keys outside your vehicle. You can keep it in your house or wallet. You can easily reach it if need be.
This is a more secure option, and with this, you shouldn’t worry about getting locked outside your vehicle. Trusting a family member with your spare key is also another good alternative.
Don’t use a non-certified locksmith.
Hiring a non-certified locksmith to operate your car when having a key issue or being locked out of your car can be very dangerous.
Your lock can end up getting damaged, and you might be charged higher than normal rates. Always go for a certified locksmith.
Do hire professionals
Resolving a car key issue can be quite complicated and might require certain technicalities. If you do not understand how to change the battery in the Prius key or other models, attempting to fix the issue yourself can worsen the situation.
So hiring a professional is a wise decision with reliable services guaranteed.
FAQs
Final Words
If you still hold any uncertainties on this subject, you can always get to us to help resolve them. However, as long as you heed this guide, you shouldn’t have any issues with your key fob.
