Last Updated: 06.09.2021

Has the key fob to your Chevy stopped working?

Your Chevy’s keyless operating system is very convenient—until it isn’t. It is quite frustrating to press the button and nothing happens. You may think that your Chevy key fob is malfunctioning, but the main culprit may most likely be a dead battery.

While you may consider calling roadside assistance to help you with the problem, chances are that you can resolve the issue yourself. All you need is a new Chevy key fob battery and detailed guidelines on how to change battery in Chevy key fob.

All 4 Him Racing expert makes the process of changing Chevy key fob battery (older model) extremely easy with his detailed step-by-step instructions. Truck Ownership, on the other hand, makes the process of replacing Chevy key fob batteries in newer models extremely easy.

Chevy Key Fob Battery

The ECM looks for a signal from the key fob four times every second. To protect the key fob battery from running down when the vehicle is out of use, it checks less often after about five days. If you don’t use the key fob for about 13 days, it shuts off. But pushing the lock and unlock buttons should bring it back to life.

Your Chevy key fob battery has a life expectancy of around one to two years, though some CR2032 3V batteries often last up to five to 10 years.

To test the battery charge condition, push the button three times, the battery light should flash. The battery in a smart key can discharge if it is within three feet of anything that produces electromagnetic waves, including anything that communicates with the internet.

What You Will Need

  • Flat screwdriver
  • A new CR2032 3V battery

How to Change Battery in Chevy Key Fob – Step By Step Breakdown

Here are the step by step instructions for changing your Chevy key fob battery:

Chevy Key Fob Battery Replacement for Older Models

Step 1: Find the Indentation

find the indentation

What you need to do first is find the indentation where the top and bottom come together. There is an extra deep depression at the position of the key chain.

Step 2: Open Up the Indentation

open up the two halves

Grab your standard flat head screwdriver. Choose a decent-sized flat head screwdriver because you don’t want it to be too small to avoid tearing up the plastic. Put the key fob in your hand, exposing the extra-deep indentation.

Then, insert the screwdriver head into the hollow section and slowly wiggle and press. The two pieces of the key fob will come apart. You can pop open one side and open the rest of the key fob by hand. Try to keep the switches together to avoid damaging them.

Step 3: Replace the Battery

replace the battery

The battery is usually located on the other side of the circuit board. Normally, the Chevy key fob comes with a CR2032 3V battery. Go ahead and remove the old battery by pulling it out. Then replace it with a new model of the exact size and voltage.

When inserting the new battery, make sure you’ve got the polarities right. Put the new battery the same way you removed the old one. Make sure the new battery fits firmly into place.

Step 4: Reattach the Key Fob

reattach the key fob

Put the circuit board back into position, making sure that it is properly inserted and doesn’t move around. Then line up the other half of the key fob and gently squeeze the two pieces to put them back together.

Chevy Key Fob Battery Replacement For Newer Models

The new Chevy key fob for 2019, 2020, and 2021 models have a few new tricks compared to the previous models. This means knowing how to replace the battery is extremely important. The new transmitter has a signal strength of up to 60 meters.

If you are carrying the new transmitter within one meter from the tailgate or any door, your Chevy will be able to send it a signal. Unlike the older generation, the new design has a hidden key inside the key fob. A key that doesn’t have to leave your pocket is quite convenient.

With this new tech, you will never have to worry about locking your keys in your vehicle again because the truck is capable of detecting that the key fob hasn’t left the vehicle. 

The failsafe for a dead battery for this model is the hidden key. You’ve also got special key pockets inside your vehicle that can detect a dead transmitter if one is placed in it.

For convenience and reliability, you should be ready to do a battery replacement at the first sign of poor signal strength, multiple clicking to open doors, and inconsistent performance.

Step 1: Remove the Hidden Key

remove the emergency key

The first thing you want to do is remove the emergency key from the key fob. All you have to do is locate the push button on the side of the device as indicated in the image. Then press down the push button and pull out your emergency key.

Step 2: Separate the Two Halves of the Key Fob

separate the two halves

Separating the two halves of the transmitter shell is simple.

The first tool you can use is a standard flat head screwdriver. A flat head screwdriver can pop up the two halves with one twist if you place it correctly in the center cutout of the key fob.

But if you don’t have a screwdriver, you can always use the emergency key—you can use it as a prying tool—to separate the two halves. The trick is to twist the emergency key in between the two halves. Then use the length of the key as leverage to get the key fob pop open.

Step 3: Replace the Dead Battery

replace the battery

Once the two parts are apart, you will see that the four triangle shapes are the only things holding the two halves together. You’ve got no real tabs to be worried about. You will see all the circuitry inside and the battery.

Before you replace the battery, it is important to observe how the circuit board sits in the device. The notched corners in the circuit board sit in the soft plastic that makes up the buttons on the outside of the device. Re-assembling the key fob will prove challenging if they are out of place.

With this new model, the battery is not mounted on the circuit board but inside the back cover of the key fob. The friction mount makes for a secure fit, which will need you to use a small screwdriver or tester to pop out the battery. On the other side of the battery, you will see the part number CR2032 3V, which will help you choose the ideal battery size.

Mounting the new battery into the transmitter is quite easy. You’ve got a diagram on the inside cover of the key fob that you can use to confirm the positive side of the battery. The positive side should be facing down and the negative side facing up. Click the battery to fit it into place.

Step 4: Assemble the Parts

assemble the parts

Putting the parts back together is pretty straightforward. Make sure you properly align the top and bottom covers. Once you have done that, the two halves should snap back together effortlessly. You don’t need to use excessive force when snapping the two covers. You can start from the back and slowly move towards the front until the two parts fit.

Complete the installation by putting the emergency key back in place.

FAQs – Chevy Key Fob Battery Replacement

1. When Does the Chevy Key Fob Battery Need Replacing?

How do you know when the key fob battery needs replacement? You’ll get a hint when you observe the following symptoms of a failing or bad battery.

Weak Signal Strength

Most Chevy key fobs are capable of sending a signal up to 50 feet away. You normally use this function as you walk away from your vehicle, which allows you to lock or unlock the truck from a distance.

When your smart key battery starts to deteriorate, the signal strength of the device will start to weaken. Unlike when the battery was new, now you may have to get much closer to the vehicle to lock or unlock. The signal strength will grow much weaker and eventually fail.

Multiple Clicks to Unlock Doors

When your smart key is functioning properly and the battery is in good condition, you should be able to unlock the doors of your Chevy with one click as long as you are in range.

So, you should know the battery is failing when it takes more than one click to unlock the doors, especially when you are close to your vehicle. The best solution in this situation is a key fob battery replacement.

Key Fob Works Inconsistently

Your smart key will easily activate any pressed button when it is working correctly. But when the device is working inconsistently and it is not even capable of allowing you to start the vehicle, then you should know that something is wrong with the battery. A replacement is the best solution before the battery dies completely.

2. What Is a CR2032 Battery?

This is a button cell lithium battery that is rated at three volts (3V). The number CR2032 is the part number or the international electrochemical label. The nominal height of the battery is 3.2 mm, the nominal diameter of the battery is 20 mm.

The cathode of the battery is made from manganese dioxide, while the anode side is made of lithium. The CR2032 model has a remarkably low self-discharge rate, which makes it the best for powering a key fob.

3. What Are Some of the Best CR2032 3V Replacement Batteries?

To effectively restore the functionality of your Chevy key fob, you need to invest in some of the finest CR2032 3V button batteries. 

Our top recommendations include the following:

Panasonic CR2032 3V

Panasonic CR2032 3V

This is the best-selling key fob battery on the market. Most Chevy key fobs come equipped with a Panasonic CR2032. It has an incredibly high capacity of 225 mAh. It is reliable and longer-lasting even in varying operating temperatures. The battery has a nominal voltage of 3 volts and a super long shelf life of up to eight years.

Sony CR2032 3V

Sony CR2032 3V

This product is from the original brand Sony. Each 3V battery has a long-lasting shelf life due to its freshness. Its nominal capacity is 220 mAh and has a standard discharge current of 0.2 mA.

Energizer CR2032 3V

Energizer CR2032 3V

This premium quality battery delivers dependable, long-lasting performance. It has high power to weight ratio and holds power for an exceptionally long period of up to ten years. The battery comes in child-resistant packaging and the design has zero mercury.

AmVolt CR2032 3V

AmVolt CR2032 3V

While the company may not be familiar to you. AmVolt will work just fine in your key fob. The positive sign of the battery is emblazoned with identifying information, while the negative side is lightly textured with small nubs.

4. Can Your Fingerprints Affect the Interior of the Key Fob?

We advise you to wear gloves when replacing your Chevy key fob battery to avoid leaving behind your fingerprints. The oil on your fingers could cause electrical contact points to erode over time.

If you forget to wear gloves, then you should use rubbing alcohol and a microfiber cloth to get rid of your fingerprints and oil. The alcohol will break down the oil and evaporate quickly. Don’t use water or else you will damage your expensive smart key.

Conclusion

You needed this information because you didn’t know how to change battery in Chevy key fob. You will know your Chevy key fob battery needs replacement when the signal grows weaker or the system needs you to click the button several times for the doors to open.

Disassembling your Chevy key fob to access the battery is easy (whether it is for the older models or the new ones). The only tool you need is a standard flat head screwdriver and a new CR2032 3V battery from the best brands on the market.

All 4 Him Racing and Truck Ownership have made the process of replacing batteries in the older and newer Chevy key fobs super easy.

If you are up to the challenge, learn also how to rebuild a 350 Chevy engine