How to Change Battery in Jeep Key Fob Remotes? Step-By-Step

Have you noticed your Jeep’s key fob not working properly lately? Does it have trouble locking or unlocking your doors? If your key fob’s range seems weak or unresponsive, the battery is likely running low and needs to be replaced. Replacing the small coin cell battery inside the Jeep key fob is a quick and simple fix you can do yourself in just minutes.

In this comprehensive DIY guide, you’ll learn how to safely open up your Jeep key fob, identify the right CR2032 replacement battery, remove the old battery, install the new one, reassemble the housing, and get your keyless entry remote working properly again. Equipped with the right tools and a new battery, you can have your Jeep key fob up and running like new in no time.

What You’ll Need To Replace the Battery in a Jeep Key Fob?

Before you get started swapping the battery, make sure you have the following tools and supplies handy:

• The Jeep key fob you’ll be working on. You may have two (one for each key/ignition) if you own a newer Jeep model.
• A new CR2032 3-volt lithium coin cell battery. This is the standard replacement battery found in most Jeep key fob remotes. Make sure it’s a fresh, name-brand battery for best performance.
• A small flathead screwdriver. You’ll need this to pry open the key fob housing to access the internal battery.
• A clean, dry microfiber cloth. Use this to wipe away any dust or debris inside the key fob during the battery replacement process.
• Eyeglasses or safety glasses. For protecting your eyes in the unlikely event the battery or tools slip while you’re working.

That’s all you’ll need to complete the battery swap job from start to finish. Before you get to work disassembling the key fob, let’s go over some important tips to keep in mind:

• Work in a clean, well-lit area so you can see the small parts and hardware. Organize the tools/supplies so they’re easily accessible.
• Avoid touching the battery contacts as much as possible to prevent corrosion. Only handle the battery on the outer edges.
• Don’t bend or puncture the battery as you remove the old one or insert the new one.
• Use care when prying open the housing – work slowly to avoid breaking the plastic.
• Follow any model-specific instructions in your Jeep owner’s manual regarding battery replacement.

Now let’s get started with opening up the key fob and swapping out that old battery!

Step 1: Locate the Seam on Your Jeep Key Fob

Jeep key fobs come in a variety of styles with subtle differences depending on the model and year of your vehicle. But they all open in generally the same way. The first step is locating the seam that divides the two halves of the plastic key fob housing.

On most Jeep key fobs, you’ll find a small seam line running along one side or on the back. Look closely on the sides and around the edges. Use a bright light to highlight any hairline cracks. This seam separates the two halves of the case so you can access the internal circuit board and battery.

Key fobs for models like the Jeep Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, Renegade, Wrangler, and others all open via a side or rear seam. Check both halves of your key fob to identify this junction between the top and bottom portions. You may need to look closely as it can be very faint.

Step 2: Carefully Pry Apart the Key Fob Halves

With the seam identified, it’s time to carefully pry the two case halves apart. This grants you access to the key fob’s inner workings so you can swap out the battery. For this step, you’ll need the small flathead screwdriver from your toolkit.

Take the flat end of the screwdriver and gently insert it into the seam, working your way along and applying light pressure as you go. Slowly twist and tease the two halves apart, taking great care not to damage the plastic housing.

Work patiently, wiggling the screwdriver bit to separate the snap fittings securing the two case halves together. Once you have enough separation, you can work your fingernails into the gap and pull the two sides the rest of the way apart.

Set the screwdriver aside and separate the housing completely. This exposes the key fob’s internal circuit board and battery compartment.

Step 3: Remove the Old CR2032 Battery From the Key Fob

With the case open, locate the circular CR2032 coin cell battery on the key fob’s circuit board. There may be a bracket or clip holding it in place. Carefully lift the battery free of its holder.

On some Jeep key fob models, the battery is soldered down to the board. If this is the case, you may need to desolder the leads before prying the cell free. Make sure you don’t bend or puncture the battery in the process.

Thoroughly inspect the battery, contacts, and compartment for any corrosion or damage. Use a microfiber cloth to gently clean any grime from the battery terminals or holder. Removing all corrosion now prevents issues with the new battery.

If the circuit board itself is damaged or corroded, you may need to replace the entire key fob unit. For now, set the old battery aside so you can dispose of it properly later.

Step 4: Insert the New CR2032 Battery in the Key Fob

Now comes the fun part: installing the fresh CR2032 battery to get your key fob remote functioning again! First, identify the positive (+) side of the new battery. There may be a “+” sign molded into the metal, or the positive side is typically the one without the indented ring on the perimeter.

Match up the positive terminal with the positive battery holder terminal on the circuit board inside your Jeep key fob. The positive side must align properly for the battery to work. Gently press the new CR2032 coin cell into the battery compartment, snapping it securely into place.

If your old battery was soldered, you’ll need to solder the positive and negative leads of the new battery to the pad on the circuit board. This ensures a solid connection and good contact.

With the new 3V lithium ion battery installed, double check that it’s seated flush in the holder and that the positive terminal alignment is correct according to the circuit board’s polarity markings.

Step 5: Reassemble the Two Key Fob Housing Halves

The replacement battery is installed and ready to go, so all that’s left is snapping the plastic housing back together to protect the key fob internals. This reassembly step is easy and straightforward.

Align the two case halves together evenly, ensuring all the plastic clips, tabs, and fittings are lined up properly on both sides. Once everything is aligned, firmly press the two sides together until all the plastic clips and snaps engage.

Run your fingernail around the seam to ensure proper closure. The key fob assembly should now be back in one piece again. If the housing doesn’t close all the way, don’t force it – realign the parts and try again.

Step 6: Test the Key Fob with the New Battery Installed

The moment of truth has arrived! With the Jeep key fob reassembled and the new CR2032 battery installed, it’s time to test out your handiwork.

Press the lock or unlock buttons on the key fob and check if the LED indicator flashes. If the buttons work properly but the doors don’t lock/unlock, you may need to re-sync or reprogram the key fob to the vehicle – a quick procedure outlined in your Jeep owner’s manual.

Assuming the key fob performs as expected again, congratulate yourself on a job well done! By safely swapping the battery yourself, you just saved the cost and hassle of having the dealership replace it instead.

Helpful Tips for Longer Jeep Key Fob Battery Life

A new battery should provide 1-2 years of reliable performance. But you can extend your Jeep key fob battery’s lifespan even more with these useful tips:

• Store key fobs away from extreme hot or cold temperatures. Keep them at room temperature.
• Allow the battery to fully drain (don’t replace early) to maximize runtime.
• Limit button presses to when you actually need to lock/unlock.
• Consider turning off the key fob LED light to conserve power.
• Avoid getting the key fob wet or exposing it to moisture/humidity.
• Replace the battery immediately at the first signs of low power.
• Buy name-brand CR2032 batteries from reputable retailers.

Following this DIY battery replacement guide, your Jeep key fob is now ready to provide many more years of trouble-free use. With the proper tools and a few easy steps, you can swap the battery again when the time eventually comes.

Conclusion

Replacing the battery on your Jeep key fob remote is a fast and simple fix you can tackle in just a few minutes, and for a few dollars. The convex shape on most key fobs makes them easy to pop open and access the internal parts. Just locate the seam, pry open the case, remove the old CR2032 battery, insert the new one, and reassemble the housing. Keep your key fob working like new with periodic battery swaps using this handy step-by-step guide. Knowing how to safely change the battery yourself keeps you from having to visit the dealership and saves you time and money down the road.