Nissan Key Fob Battery: What To Know


in Ownership
Nissan steering wheel

Source: Pixabay

Your key fob is a lot like your car battery; it seems like it’s always there, and it always works – that is, until it doesn’t. Yes, just like anything that you use a lot, your key fob will eventually have problems. The most common problem you’ll probably have is with the battery. Read more of this article for Nissan key fob battery: what to know.

Recognizing a Problem with Your Nissan Key Fob Battery

Recognizing a problem is a crucial part of using the key fob you want to remember. If your key fob starts to show signs of your key fob battery going dead, you don’t just want to wait until it does. Sometimes if you wait until the battery is completely dead, then the key fob itself may have to be reprogrammed, which could cost more than the replacement of the battery.


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Signs of a Dying Key Fob

  • More clicks than needed: If you notice that the recommended amount of clicks does not do the job it used to, you’re probably experiencing the key fob battery starting to rear out.
  • Doesn’t work as consistently: If sometimes the key fob works for you the correct way, and sometimes the key fob doesn’t, the battery may be going on the key fob. It should always work with the same amount of button taps every time.
  • Signal strength dwindling: If you used to be able to access your vehicle from across a parking lot and now you have to be right up on top of your vehicle before your key fob function works, it’s probably time to get your battery changed.

Other Possible Problems With Your Key Fob

Not always will your problem be your Nissan key fob battery. There could be rare occasions where something else is causing your key fob not to work.

  • Car battery: Sometimes, the car battery itself could be dead. This can easily be figured out by using a secondary key fob. Or you can use your Juke (physical) key hidden in your key fob to get inside your vehicle and see if things like the dome light come on. If they do, you need a Nissan key fob battery, and if nothing works, you need a new car battery or at least a jump.
  • Check key fob condition: Your key fob takes a big beating when it goes with you everywhere you go. Buttons get pushed constantly; it gets pushed around in your pockets and purses and has probably fallen to the ground a few times or tossed onto counter-tops like a piece of steel (they’re plastic.) A quick inspection of your key fob, even if you have to open it up, might reveal some damage that is caused it to work faulty or not at all. If you can make a quick fix out of it, great, but don’t make it a long-term solution.
  • Your car’s actuator: This part being bad is unlikely, but if this is the problem, your key fob will still start your engine. The actuator is a little part inside each one of your doors that contains the parts that work the power door locks. Unfortunately, if you’re not an auto technician, you’ll have to have the part replaced at the dealership. You will be able to unlock and lock all doors manually.  

How Not To Get Stranded with a Dying Nissan Key Fob Battery

The good news is Nissan has come up with a battery fail-safe technology. If you have one of their vehicles that has a push-button start, you should still be able to get your vehicle started with the key fob to get to your next destination. 

This goes back to what was mentioned above about not letting your Nissan key fob battery die completely, because if it does, this fail-safe technique won’t work.

Abstract the Juke key from the key fob: Flip your key fob over and access the tiny latch/release the allows you to access the Juke key. Use that key to enter your vehicle.

Use your Juke to start your vehicle: If your vehicle has a key port where you can start your car with a physical key, just press the brake in or press the clutch in and turn the key forward, then your car will start if there are no other problems. 

Assess your ignition start button: Once in the vehicle, press down on the brake or press clutch all the way in just like you were going to start it any other time. Next, hold the key fob over or right next to the ignition start button and press the button. If the battery in the key fob is not completely drained, you should be able to start your car (temporary solution).


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Replacing Your Nissan Key Fob Battery

  • The first thing to know is depending on what type of key fob you have for your Nissan; you will probably have a 3V battery with a serial number starting with CR followed by some numbers. Check with your owner’s manual, the dealership, or an auto parts store to make sure you get the correct battery. 
  • When you have purchased a replacement battery, getting it replaced is about as easy as purchasing it. You need to get into the key fob by using a tiny flathead screwdriver; the smaller the better.
  • Use the space provided to slip the flathead screwdriver in and slowly work the key fob apart. These are just plastic pieces, so brute force will only make your problem worse.
  • Once you have carefully separated the key fob in half, the small battery that hopefully looks just like the one you purchased will be exposed. The battery won’t fall out on its own, but with a little gentle manipulation with your screwdriver, it should fall right out. Once the battery is out, replace the new battery making sure the positive side is facing down.
  • Now all you have to do is put it together, making sure the Nissan key fob is working again.

 Hint: This process can be done backward if you want to compare your old battery to the new battery before purchase.


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Additional Precautions

Getting stranded is unpleasant, but there are a few precautions that can be taken to help yourself out. A battery-only cost about 2-5 dollars to replace. You might want to think about getting a few extra batteries when you are at the auto parts store or get a few spare key fobs from the dealership.

You can keep these extra batteries and or key fobs in your purse, at home, at work, with a trusted friend, etc. The best thing to say here about your Nissan key fob battery: what to know is don’t leave yourself without options and don’t let your battery drain completely dead it will cost you considerably.



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