Battery Replacement For Car Key Remote

You need a Phillips head screwdriver and CR 2016 batteries

Replaced the two batteries in the two keys/remotes of the Duster yesterday. It's been more than seven years and I rotate the keys now and then. The current one I was using gave me broad hints that the battery had possibly come to the end of its service life. I did not take a chance.

It took me a while to do the job. First I had to buy a Phillips head screwdriver. Bought it off Amazon. A Stanley at Rs 76. It wasn't perfect in terms of size but did the job. A tad bigger in size would've fitted precisely. But then neither do I know the size of the screw nor the screwdriver. It's a double headed screwdriver. The other side is a flat one.

I opened the key with this screwdriver only to find that I didn't have the right sized battery. I had the CR 2032, which is a standard size. But this demands 2016 which is much thinner. Went with Monisha after work to Chandni on our bike to get it from the tiny little but highly specialised shop. They sell all types of batteries at a very reasonable rate. It was a nightmare to go there in terms of traffic. But still managed to get Monisha to go and buy it quickly while I waited near the auto stand. We got completely drenched in rain on the way back but then that's a different story. 

The batteries cost us Rs 45 each. Amazon had them for Rs 34 with next day delivery but you had to buy 5 of them at Rs 170. No wonder small shop keepers are up in arms against Cloudtail. I found no reason to buy three more batteries than I needed. I have no other gadget that uses 2016.

Incidentally, these are made in Indonesia Panasonic batteries packed in blue packaging. The 2032s are sold in orange packaging. I have no idea where they are made.

Learnings

A. It's very easy to lose the small screw on the back of the remote. Be very careful. 

B. After taking the screw out, gently prise open the remote with a thin flat head screwdriver or the tip of a thin knife. Do not force it. Might break the plastic.

C. Taking the old battery out and putting the new one in is slightly tricky but not difficult with a flat headed screwdriver or the tip of a knife etc. Trial and error worked for me. There is no need to put any pressure while putting the new one in. You have to slot it correctly.

D. I should have perhaps cleaned the contact points with Isopropyl Alcohol but I did not. Was working late at night, post dinner, on the bed. So felt lazy to go and get all that.

E. While opening the back, keep the front of the remote that has the switches face down (refer to the pic). The front side has the green PCB. If you turn it over, the PCB would come out. It is not glued. Just loosely kept there.

F. While putting it back on, first press the front and back of the remote into each other. There will be a click as they engage into the slot. Then put the screw on. 

All for two Panasonic batteries :(