FOB batteries
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 10,548
Likes: 176
From: Upstate NY
FOB batteries
I finally uncovered my car, ready to put it into service for another new year of fun. With my fob in my pocket I could not open the driver's door without hitting the unlock button. When I jumped in the car the instrument screen did not illuminate the way I am used to seeing it. I hit the start button and I got the Fob not found message. Ah hah! Battery time.
Eager to go for a ride I grabbed my spare fob. The instrument screen still illuminated incompletely and again, the car would not start. I guess that makes sense since the fob is electronically active, even though unused. I could have placed the fob in the steering column pocket but decided to put new batteries in the fobs. Fortunately I had a new pack of 2032 batteries.
Batteries replaced, everything back to normal! The point of this post is that 3 years seems to be the battery life in fob service. (I took delivery of my 2014 car 3/8/14). Suggestion: If your car has been in service 2 years or more, or the batteries are over 2 years old, it might be time for new batteries.
Eager to go for a ride I grabbed my spare fob. The instrument screen still illuminated incompletely and again, the car would not start. I guess that makes sense since the fob is electronically active, even though unused. I could have placed the fob in the steering column pocket but decided to put new batteries in the fobs. Fortunately I had a new pack of 2032 batteries.
Batteries replaced, everything back to normal! The point of this post is that 3 years seems to be the battery life in fob service. (I took delivery of my 2014 car 3/8/14). Suggestion: If your car has been in service 2 years or more, or the batteries are over 2 years old, it might be time for new batteries.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2000
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This is a good reminder for the '14 folks. Mine was new 4/14 and had to change the batteries before it went into storage last fall. Looks like the 3 years or so for batteries is about right.
From my experience, when I took a voltage reading on the old batteries, they were at about 2.6 volts so it doesn't take much before they become a problem.
From my experience, when I took a voltage reading on the old batteries, they were at about 2.6 volts so it doesn't take much before they become a problem.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 555
Likes: 126
I agree with all of the above. I just wish GM could design a fob that wasn't such a PITA to install batteries. Better yet, design one with lithium batteries that could be recharged via a USB port.
OK, enough bitching for now. Peace-Out.
OK, enough bitching for now. Peace-Out.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
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From: Longview Texas
I just changed mine on my 2014 and I was surprised that the second fob, that has never been used, also would not work.
Both would trigger the cannot locate fob message.
I had just had a re-program done on the air bag recall, and thought the car got messed up, but I guess that was just a coincidence.
Both would trigger the cannot locate fob message.
I had just had a re-program done on the air bag recall, and thought the car got messed up, but I guess that was just a coincidence.
Last edited by TEXHAWK0; Mar 31, 2017 at 04:30 PM.
Safety Car
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From: SouthEast PA
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C7Joy: "I finally uncovered my car, ready to put it into service for another new year of fun. With my fob in my pocket I could not open the driver's door without hitting the unlock button. When I jumped in the car the instrument screen did not illuminate the way I am used to seeing it. I hit the start button and I got the Fob not found message. Ah hah! Battery time."
The exact same thing happened to me starting about a month ago with my '14 C7 (build 10/2013) in storage and still on a battery tender. Double checked both FOBs just now and both act the same. Only difference was after relocking to set security, both FOBs acted normally but only for about a minute. So battery replacemant time for both. Thanks C7Joy.
The exact same thing happened to me starting about a month ago with my '14 C7 (build 10/2013) in storage and still on a battery tender. Double checked both FOBs just now and both act the same. Only difference was after relocking to set security, both FOBs acted normally but only for about a minute. So battery replacemant time for both. Thanks C7Joy.
Last edited by CRABBYJ; Mar 31, 2017 at 03:52 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 26,176
Likes: 4,308
From: Chirper Island
When changing fob batteries, make sure the fob is warm. This will help keep the fragile case from cracking as easily. Use the rounded key end to pry the case apart.
I also recommend doing this at home not in your lap in the car; there are small parts just waiting to spring apart and get lost.
I also recommend doing this at home not in your lap in the car; there are small parts just waiting to spring apart and get lost.
Last edited by owc6; Mar 31, 2017 at 02:09 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 97
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From: Schaumburg Illinois
Mine will be 3 yrs old tomorrow, April Fools day, and I just changed mine the other day. Hard to believe 3 yrs and 36K miles have gone by and the car has been great. Ya, it's a M7
SN 20599
SN 20599
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Moulton Alabama
Cruise-In 8-9-10-12 Veteran
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,345
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From: Terrell North Carolina
I change mine yearly, easy to change, "follow owners manual", opening the fob is a snap. You use your key that is in the bottom of the fob to open the fob, 5 minute job, just follow owners manual.