Nissan Key Fob Not Working After Battery Change: A Complete Guide

These days, keyless entry for cars and other vehicles using a key fob is popular. For automobile owners, it’s a comfort and convenience to open cars without needing keys. But what happens if your Nissan key fob breaks down? It occasionally does this, especially following a battery change. So, you ask, why is my Nissan key fob not working after a battery change?

A battery change could cause your key fob to stop functioning because the electronic system in the key fob automatically resets when the battery is changed. Other causes could be broken connections and button misalignment. The frequent next step to take is to reset it.

Follow this guide to reset your Nissan key fob after battery replacement. You’ll soon get back on track if you follow these easy instructions!

Why Would My Nissan Key Fob Stop Working?

Your Nissan key fob may cease to function for a variety of reasons. Below are some of the issues that may prevent the key fob from working after a battery change:

1. Key fob battery

While your key fob can endure for a long time, its lifespan is limited. With a well-maintained car key fob, the battery can last for 4 to 8 years, depending on the use. The first possible issue when you find your key fob isn’t working is that its battery is dead and no longer has enough power to operate.

It is a common issue, and identifying it is simple. You can change the battery yourself with the guidance of the owner’s manual if your local auto parts store doesn’t offer that service. You should also discover the appropriate battery and replacement procedures.

Symptoms:

• The fob works sometimes but not always
• The spare key fob works perfectly

Solutions:

• Replace the key fob battery
• Call the dealership

2. Worn Buttons

After changing the batteries, the key fob may still not be operating fine because the remote’s buttons may have worn out. A contact is activated when a button on the key fob is pressed, sending signals to its circuit board. If there is no response after pushing the button, it is possible that the contacts and buttons have deteriorated to the point where they no longer connect.

You might have a worn-out unlock button, for instance, if your key fob won’t open doors but still works to lock them. Always test a spare remote to check whether the problem is still there, even with a different key.

If the two key fobs share the same issue, it’s unlikely that a worn button or faulty contact is the cause of your key fob’s inability to function following a battery change.

Symptoms:

• The button works sometimes but not always
• The buttons only work when pressed in a certain way
• One button is functional while the other is not.

Solutions:

• Replace the remote casing.
• Obtain a new car key fob.

3. Broken locks

A key fob’s malfunction following a battery swap might not be related to the key fob itself. It could be the car door latches or a car door stuck in the lock. In any event, a broken component of the lock may be the cause of the issue. Checking to verify if the remote is functional to open or lock one or more doors is the best approach to tell if a broken lock is the cause of the problems.

While several door locks can malfunction simultaneously, if they begin to malfunction one at a time, it is also likely that your key is not to blame. Not taking care of your car’s door locks is not a good idea.

The doors not opening correctly raises serious safety issues. Your security will suffer if your locks do not lock consistently. 

Symptoms:

• Some door locks can be opened remotely, but not others.
• indicator lights flash to demonstrate that a signal is being sent without doors opening
• Locks cannot be opened or locked using a key or by hand pressure.

Solutions:

• vehicle lock repair
• replacement of a car lock.

4. Deprogramming

Every key fob pairs with a specific car lock, so If your car remote or key fob stops operating following a battery swap, it may have been deprogrammed. Deprogramming is when a vehicle’s onboard computer is procedurally instructed to delete all its paired keys from its list of authorized users.

Pressing buttons on the remote control can also result in key deprogramming. Certain button combinations can instruct the built-in computer to invalidate all initially connected keys. After changing the batteries, if more than one of your paired spare key fob stops operating, deprogramming may be the cause.

If this is the case, try to have your key reprogrammed or reset to communicate with your car. Remember that if you don’t have a spare key, key fob programming might need to be done using special equipment.

Symptoms:

• A vehicle has a method for self-deprogramming or self-reprogramming.
• The backup remote is not working.
• The key fob immediately ceased functioning completely.

Solutions:

• Automatic programming (in limited cases)
• Phone a locksmith
• Call the dealership

5. Damaged key

Damage refers to the harm done to the key fob outside normal wear from frequent, everyday use. Water, strong blows, circuit board scratches, etc., can all result in this kind of harm.

If your key fob suddenly ceases to function after it has been opened, walked on, or wet, you should assume a damaged key is to blame. In some instances, damage may be evident, but not always.

A damaged key may need to be entirely replaced. If the damage to the housing is the only cause of your problems, partial replacement can be an option.

Symptoms:

• The key suffers sudden damage and stops working.
• The key is damaged.
• The buttons won’t move.
• A backup key works.

Solutions:

• Replace the casing
• Replace the key fob entirely.

6. Electricity Issues

In more severe circumstances, electrical system damage to the car may cause a key fob not to function. It might occur following maintenance on the vehicle, during which the side panels or dashboard are taken off and put back on.

Wires become visible as the panels are removed. The wires may unintentionally be damaged or disconnected while servicing the vehicle or when the panels are reinstalled. Check for further electrical issues if this maintenance was recently completed before your key fob began to misbehave.

The automobile horn may no longer function, the lights may not turn on, and other electrical faults may occur in addition to key fob problems. 

Symptoms:

• There are further electrical problems with the car.
• Wiring-related issues start after work has been done on the car wiring

Solutions:

• Reattach the wires.
• Changing out faulty cables.

How to Replace the Nissan Key Fob’s Battery?

Like all batteries used in devices, they all have a limited lifespan, no matter how long they last. Therefore, understanding how to replace the Nissan key fob battery is crucial. Doing it for the first time could seem a little difficult, but you’ll surely become quite adept at it with practice. The primary steps for replacing a Nissan key fob battery are listed below:

1. Release the mechanical key.

Check for the little release catch on the back of the Nissan key fob as you flip it over in your hand. Pulling that down will release the mechanical key housed there from its location in the fob. So, this key must be out of the way even though you won’t need it to replace the batteries.

2.  Split the fob in two with a pry tool.

The key fob has two tiny slits on the top end. These are perfect for inserting a small flat-head screwdriver inside before rotating it counter clockwise to open the shell securely and evenly. In addition, it allows the key fob to be opened into two halves.

3.  Take out the outdated battery.

The power source is a cylindrical 3-volt Panasonic CR 2032 battery. Its metal disc will be located in one-half of the key fob. To carefully remove the battery, use a tiny flat-head screwdriver. Under the battery, there ought to be a little opening ideal for that process.

4. Install the new battery 

The new battery should be placed correctly like the removed dead battery. It should be slid in from the side toward the visible spring in the casing. Make sure the battery clicks into position by pushing it toward the spring.

5. Replace the key fob housing 

You must then reassemble the two halves of the key fob casing. Click the two halves back together after aligning them. Make sure all the components are linked evenly because the click should be pretty loud or at least audible.

6.  Change the mechanical key.

Finally, all you have to do to get your Nissan key fob batteries back to full functionality is to put the spare mechanical key back in its position.

What to Look Out for When Replacing the Nissan Key Fob Battery

Though the process is very straightforward, there are several things to watch out for when replacing the Nissan key fob battery. When changing the Nissan key fob battery, the following aspects need to be taken into consideration:

• Avoid using the notches on the side of the case as a point to lever your screwdriver when separating the casing into two sections. Older keys have these side grooves; disregard them and pay attention to the top slits instead.
• Avoid using excessive force when opening the shell from the top to avoid damaging the edge or interior components. 
• While replacing the battery, avoid placing your key fob close to anything magnetic. Magnets could harm your Nissan key fob’s internal components. 
• Make careful to insert the battery into the battery shell the same way the removed battery was placed. It won’t function if you insert it incorrectly.

How to reset a key fob after changing the battery?

Vehicle key fobs, commonly called electronic car keys, are used to start a car remotely and open its doors. Signal loss can cause the car key fob to malfunction over time, necessitating reprogramming to continue using the device.

However, a key fob may only require reprogramming if not functioning correctly. If a car owner follows the straightforward, step-by-step instructions below, they can accomplish this without an auto locksmith’s assistance:

• Utilizing the Lock Switch on the driver’s side door, get inside your Nissan and lock all the doors.
• Insert the key into the ignition and remove it. In precisely 10 seconds, repeat these 6 times. Before putting it back, please remove it from the ignition completely. Avoid turning the key.
• You have now entered programming mode. Both the interior and outside lights will flash twice when this is done.
• Re-insert the key into the ignition after leaving the programming mode and turn it to the start position.
• Just once, press any key on the key fob. Don’t give it a second try.
• The key fob should be programming mode if the previous stages have gone as planned. The hazard lights would flash as confirmation of the reprogramming.
• Unlock your doors, remove the key fob from the ignition, and exit the car.
• Try locking the door and using the key fob to unlock it.

If the initial steps do not work, try again. Reach the closest Nissan dealership if your attempts to reprogram the car repeatedly fail.

How Frequently Should You Change Battery in Nissan Key Fob?

The good news is that it should be three to four years before your Nissan key fob battery has to be changed. The battery may deplete faster overall if you use the fob and its remote controls frequently, but it should still last up to three to four years.

You can take the fob to a dealer to have the battery replaced, although this service is usually expensive and not required.

Conclusion

With key fobs, you may easily lock and unlock your automobile from a distance as it provides you rapid access to your vehicle. The Nissan key fob will continue to function as long as the battery is in good shape. In addition to battery upkeep, you should watch out for your fob’s exposure to moisture and magnetic fields, which can harm its internal parts. Also, avoid dropping it or applying too much pressure to its exterior as it is also susceptible to physical impacts.