"Replace key battery" - how to?

Brackett

Active Member
May 12, 2019
158
26
I've got the "Replace key battery" message on the dash. Two questions:

1. is it an intelligent message that actually knows when the battery is low? Or just a generic message you get after a pre-determined period of time? Seems odd that I need a new battery after only 18 months.

2. if I do need one, is there a "how to" on how to open the case / change the battery? Sometimes there's a knack to it, rather than just trying to attack the key with a screwdriver to prise it open! No doubt the manual will say "go to the dealer", but I'm not doing that for a new battery!

Thanks.
 

Tigerobe

Active Member
Feb 20, 2017
122
11
I have had a message on my dash for a few weeks now to replace the battery, it’s still going strong, I’m not sure if it’s a generic message, the original battery lasted 4 years and the message has come up after 14 months of use.

In terms of replacing you just prise the back open from where the key flips back inside, it’s straightforward. You’ll need a cr 2025 size battery. Be careful of fakes on eBay and Amazon, if it’s too cheap to be true then it’s not true!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

bgb

Active Member
Jan 22, 2019
600
316
Easiest thing ever, flick the key out, stick a 2 pence bit in the gap and turn.
B5G-0484.png


You may need a paper clip to get under the battery. Oh and do this while sat in your car with it unlocked, I've heard keyless especially sometimes get twitchy requiring you to 're-pair' by holding against the column and push the stop/start button.

I have never encountered this issue while changing it sat in the car though!
 

bgb

Active Member
Jan 22, 2019
600
316
And the batteries seem to go randomly, my old key start Golf went through 2 in a year oddly, but so far on my KESSY Cupra its been fine for the last 7 months.
 

CupraGeezer

Active Member
May 11, 2018
357
163
Is it an intelligent message that actually knows when the battery is low? Or just a generic message you get after a pre-determined period of time? Seems odd that I need a new battery after only 18 months.

Thanks.
The message must have a degree of intelligence as it knows when you've replaced the battery - i.e. the message goes away on its own, you don't have to reset anything.
 

SRGTD

Active Member
May 26, 2014
2,388
1,279
I've got the "Replace key battery" message on the dash. Two questions:

1. is it an intelligent message that actually knows when the battery is low? Or just a generic message you get after a pre-determined period of time? Seems odd that I need a new battery after only 18 months.

2. if I do need one, is there a "how to" on how to open the case / change the battery? Sometimes there's a knack to it, rather than just trying to attack the key with a screwdriver to prise it open! No doubt the manual will say "go to the dealer", but I'm not doing that for a new battery!

Thanks.

if your car’s got keyless entry / keyless start, then I’d say it’s probably due to be changed. I’ve seen on VW forums that it’s fairly common on keyless cars for the key fob battery to last less than a year, and owners with keyless have been caught out, as they’ve not read their owners manual to know how to get into and start their car when the key fob battery has ‘died’ on them.

Loads of videos on YouTube showing how to change the key fob battery - here’s one. It’s a VW key fob but procedure for changing the battery in a Seat key fob should be the same;
A knife blade is being used in the video to remove the cover on the key fob. I personally wouldn’t use a knife blade - I’ve used the edge of a 50p coin (less risk of damaging the plastic fob than with a knife blade?), which should fit in the slot on the key fob that the key blade folds into. A quick twist of the coin and the battery cover I clips and can be removed, enabling the new battery to be fitted.

Instructions from the owners manual below.
FF455F83-D852-4C1F-AB11-FA3E05C0B36F.png


Probably not a bad idea to to keep a spare battery in your wallet and another in the car for when you get the ‘low battery’ warning next time, as sometimes, the warning doesn’t give much warning!
 

Brackett

Active Member
May 12, 2019
158
26
Top stuff, thanks all, very helpful. I reckon I've got a 2025 battery at home already. Looks a piece of p1ss to change, thanks!

Car isn't keyless, so key hasn't lasted very long. (and the previous owner may have used the other key as well).

lol @ SEAT recommends you ask a specialised workshop to replace the battery :no: . I wonder how much they would charge?! :cry:.
 

bgb

Active Member
Jan 22, 2019
600
316
Top stuff, thanks all, very helpful. I reckon I've got a 2025 battery at home already. Looks a piece of p1ss to change, thanks!

Car isn't keyless, so key hasn't lasted very long. (and the previous owner may have used the other key as well).

lol @ SEAT recommends you ask a specialised workshop to replace the battery :no: . I wonder how much they would charge?! :cry:.

To be fair, VW once replaced my battery for free at service, but then again i paid dealership service prices!
 

SRGTD

Active Member
May 26, 2014
2,388
1,279
Top stuff, thanks all, very helpful. I reckon I've got a 2025 battery at home already. Looks a piece of p1ss to change, thanks!

Car isn't keyless, so key hasn't lasted very long. (and the previous owner may have used the other key as well).

lol @ SEAT recommends you ask a specialised workshop to replace the battery :no: . I wonder how much they would charge?! :cry:.

if it was your usual dealer, I’d hope they wouldn’t charge anything, especially if you asked them to change it when the car was at the dealers for servicing, repairs or warranty work. It should only take the person on the service reception desk a couple of minutes to change a key fob battery.
 

Bevii3

Active Member
Jun 27, 2018
28
5
had my 65 plate leon for just over a year now and the message has just come up a second time.. its annoying as any other car ive had ive never had to replace battery. this time ive just left it, but have now noticed the mirrors wont fold in using the key anymore so i think it is starting to go..
 

BoomerBoom

Active Member
Jun 1, 2018
690
249
Button batteries are not all the same quality, they have a shelf life and can be faulty. I've also seen fakes of major brands, so buy a decent priced one from a reputable seller.

I nearly replaced a faulty key once, after fitting two new batteries - only to find it was the batteries, not the key.
 

Hag

Active Member
Sep 15, 2018
399
193
I bought my batteries from Argos for not a lot of money. Both my keys have needed doing lately on a 15 plate car. Really simple to do and save you giving a dealership a £15-£20 for the privilege


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Goodolpete

Active Member
Jan 22, 2018
21
3
I’ve just had this message on my Arona, two years old last month.
Found video on YouTube on how to do it, my key had a 3032 battery in.
It was a 2 minute job to do it and bought 6 batteries for £10, but
surely battery should last longer. I had my previous Focus for *ten* years
using it 7 days a week and the battery didn’t need replacing. I retired,
bought the Arona which I use four times a week max, sometimes none,
and have to replace the battery.
 

martin j.

Active Member
Feb 11, 2007
1,996
889
Fife
My Leon is now 4 year old and it's had two replacement batteries in the fob, last one done at dealer FOC (message had been on screen for weeks), but the other fob my wife uses is still on the oe battery and she uses it more than me?

When I worked at Kia we changed the battery for the customer while they waited, but charged a handsome price for the battery, a bit like changing bulbs, done FOC but premium price for bulb.
 

Davesimmons269

Active Member
Feb 18, 2018
53
20
I have also had this notice appear on the dash. Car isn't quite 18 months old yet. These batteries must be pretty terrible. Never had to change it once in my old car. The car is due a service at the end of December, is this definitely something they will replace free of charge or just easier to do myself?
 

RUM4MO

Active Member
Jun 4, 2008
7,784
983
South Scotland
Hello! Which of these car battery chargers are good?
It was battery makers or brands that were being questioned, not battery chargers, W Group have been using Panasonic branded batteries in these key fob for at least 20 years, so I tend to stick with that maker or brand, buying online form what looks like a reputable seller, and that has always worked for me 10 times.

I do like CTEK chargers though!
 

martin j.

Active Member
Feb 11, 2007
1,996
889
Fife
I just buy my batteries from my local motorfactors, if it. Only last a short time I can go back and moan. Free replacement.
 

Mikertroid

Active Member
May 31, 2019
142
39
Super easy job (see pics earlier in thread), did mine yesterday. No way is it worth paying someone to do that!
 

Yern

Active Member
Apr 25, 2019
625
311
Mine said replace about 6 months or so ago, then the message disappeared. Just lit up again so replaced the battery with Duracell...all good and nearly 3 years old. When my wife sold the i10 it was 5.5 years on the same key battery.
 
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