Your Jeep’s trusted features and engineering design exist to ensure that each adventure is memorable. However, it is best to perform frequent maintenance to ensure that your Jeep is up and running. One of the reasons why your key fob may not function properly is a low battery. When this happens, the key fob battery might require an immediate replacement.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how you change the battery in a jeep key fob.
Signs That It Is Time to Change the Battery in Your Key Fob
Many SUVs, trucks, and cars depend on key fobs because they are a more convenient and secure replacement of the manual key systems. However, the key fobs need fully functioning batteries to work efficiently.
Like other batteries, a key fob’s battery wears out after being in use for a considerable amount of time. Most key fobs in the market today are complicated and might be pretty costly to replace. One of the leading causes of key fob replacement is not replacing a worn-out battery in good time. If a key fob’s battery dies entirely, the fob chip loses power and becomes useless unless reprogrammed by the manufacturer.
It is best to understand when to change your key fob’s battery if you want to avoid problems. Here are signs that indicate it is time to change your key fob’s battery:
Reduced Signal Strength
Your key fob can send a signal to your Jeep up to 50 feet in most cases. Many Jeep owners utilize this function when approaching or walking away from their vehicle and want to lock or unlock it. However, when the battery wears out, the signal strength and range of the fob transmitter are likely to reduce. If you notice that your key fob does not lock your car, unlock it, or start the engine (for automatic-start buttons) as early as it usually does, then it might be time to replace your key fob’s battery.
ProTip: If your keyfob doesn’t work and your car isn’t cranking and other electronics like power windows or the infotainment system doesn’t work, chances are your battery is dead because it can’t hold a charge or the alternator is not charging it right.
Multiple Clicks Required Before Unlocking the Doors
You require a single click to unlock the doors if your key fob is fully functional. If the key fob needs more effort to open your Jeep’s doors, this might indicate that the battery has worn out and needs replacement.
The Key Fob Works Inconsistently
If your key fob is working appropriately, it should activate whenever a button is pressed. Some newer versions of key fobs are responsible for triggering the ignition system. They can send an electronic signal to the car’s engine control module or be inserted into a slot on the dashboard to allow the driver to press a start button.
If this function is not consistent, it is usually a sign that your key fob’s battery is wearing out. It would help if you found a replacement for the battery to allow the key fob to start working consistently.
How to Replace the Battery in Your Jeep’s Key Fob
It would help if you understood how to replace the battery of your Jeep’s key fob to avoid any inconveniences. The best thing is that the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Compass, Jeep Renegade, and Jeep Cherokee all use a similar key fob battery- the CR2032. You can get your replacement battery here.
Here is how you can replace the key fob batteries for various Jeep models.
Jeep Grand Cherokee Key Fob Battery Replacement
If you want to replace the key fob battery for a 2015 to 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, you will need a small flathead screwdriver to pry apart the two halves of the key fob. You will also need a replacement coin cell, also known as the watch or button.
Once you have the screwdriver and the coin cell, you should follow these steps to replace the battery:
- Slide the black plastic switch on the front of the key fob near the bottom to release the metal ignition key.
- Pull the metal ignition key from the fob and place it in a safe place.
- Insert the blade of the small flathead screwdriver into the slot where the metal ignition key used to be and gently pry apart the two halves of the fob.
- Pull apart the two halves of the key fob. This will reveal the green plastic remote control circuit board and the battery holder inside the rear cover.
- Remove the old battery out of the rear cover using your fingernail, or you can use the small flathead screwdriver.
- The rear cover of the key fob is marked with the words “CR2032 + Side down”.
- Insert the new CR2032 3-volt battery with the positive “+” side facing down into the rear cover of the key fob.
- Line up the two halves of the fob and gently snap them back together.
- Ensure that the two halves of the fob are flush together all the way around at every edge.
- Slide the metal ignition key back into the slot on the bottom of the fob until it clicks securely into place.
- Test the new key fob battery by standing near your Grand Cherokee while pressing the “Lock” and “Unlock” buttons.
- If the new battery is working correctly, you should see the parking lights flash, hear a short horn honk, and hear the power door locks opening or closing.
Jeep Compass Key Fob Battery Replacement
The Jeep Compass is one of Jeep’s first-ever crossover SUVs. If you need to replace the key hob battery of your Jeep Compass, you need a flathead screwdriver and a CR2032 battery. Follow these steps to replace the “rounded” key fob battery of a 2017 to 2020 Jeep Compass:
- Pull the silver switch located on the back of the key fob to release the internal key, and then look at the bottom of the key fob. You will see a slot next to the keyhole.
- Insert the flathead screwdriver into the slot and twist. This action will separate the device into two halves.
- Be gentle and lift the battery that needs replacement out of its housing using the flathead screwdriver.
- Take your new CR2032 battery and click it into its proper place, ensuring the positive side faces down.
- Click the two halves of your device back together. Your new battery should be working well after this last step.
Jeep Renegade Key Fob Battery Replacement
Follow these steps to replace the key fob battery of your 2015- 2020 Jeep Renegade:
- Turn over the key fob and locate the metal switch.
- Slide the switch over to release the metal ignition backup or the emergency key from the fob.
- Put the metal ignition away in a safe place.
- Insert a flathead screwdriver into the notch between the two halves of the key fob housing.
- Gently pry apart the rear cover from the front of the fob.
- Be careful and pull out the old battery from the holder in the rear cover of the key fob housing.
- Be careful not to scratch or bend the metal electrical contacts when removing the old battery from the cover.
- Put the new coin cell battery into the socket, ensuring the positive side is facing down.
- Line up the front and rear cover of the key fob together, and gently pop the two parts back together.
- Slide the metal ignition key back into the slot until it clicks securely into place.
Replacing the battery of your Jeep’s key fob is not a difficult task. Be on the lookout for signs that it’s time to replace your key fob’s battery, and follow the above easy steps to replace the battery.