Key Fob batteries
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 328
Likes: 27
From: Green Garden Illinois
Key Fob batteries
Installed new batteries in both of my C7 key fobs yesterday. Tested remote starting and everything was great.
This morning go to start remote and just the lights blink, no start.
Tried second remote and nothing.
Tested first battery and bottom of the red scale (replace battery).
Is there something going on that drains the key fob batteries overnight?
Any suggestions?
RWP
This morning go to start remote and just the lights blink, no start.
Tried second remote and nothing.
Tested first battery and bottom of the red scale (replace battery).
Is there something going on that drains the key fob batteries overnight?
Any suggestions?
RWP
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 328
Likes: 27
From: Green Garden Illinois
RonC7,
I just used a normal voltage tester and checked the new cr2032. As I held the leads on the battery, the voltage dropped continuously from 1.9 volts down to 1.3 before I removed the leads.
thanks
I just used a normal voltage tester and checked the new cr2032. As I held the leads on the battery, the voltage dropped continuously from 1.9 volts down to 1.3 before I removed the leads.
thanks
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,859
Likes: 1,865
From: St. Louis Metro East IL
With a Fluke digital voltmeter a good new battery runs 3.28 or so volts. The fobs for my 2019 GS and previous GMC and Chevy get flaky / reduced range between 3.05 and 3.08 volts in my experience. I have seen the fobs work down to 3.00. Your meter or an analog voltmeter may draw enough current to really pull down the battery. I haven't had an analog volt meter for years.
Typically I change fob batteries in all 3 cars as soon as I "think" the range on any fob has decreased or at 3 years. I usually buy name brand 2032 batteries in quantity on Amazon or eBay for less than 50 cents each. They used to list the "sell buy" date on the listings so I would buy the freshest I could find. I always test "new" batteries before installing - you can get bad ones.
We now have 3 Subies in the family that are supposed to be hard on fob batteries. Just getting to the 2 year point on the first one - may just change ALL fobs on 2 year cycle at my convenience since batteries are cheap.
By the way, I also insist new car batteries are checked when I buy them. I've occasionally seen bad car batteries on the shelf.
YMMV
Ron
Typically I change fob batteries in all 3 cars as soon as I "think" the range on any fob has decreased or at 3 years. I usually buy name brand 2032 batteries in quantity on Amazon or eBay for less than 50 cents each. They used to list the "sell buy" date on the listings so I would buy the freshest I could find. I always test "new" batteries before installing - you can get bad ones.
We now have 3 Subies in the family that are supposed to be hard on fob batteries. Just getting to the 2 year point on the first one - may just change ALL fobs on 2 year cycle at my convenience since batteries are cheap.
By the way, I also insist new car batteries are checked when I buy them. I've occasionally seen bad car batteries on the shelf.
YMMV
Ron
Last edited by RonC7; Jan 16, 2026 at 09:14 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 328
Likes: 27
From: Green Garden Illinois
My voltmeter has a digital read out so don’t know if mine is like yours. I hardly use it.
After I checked the cr2032 bats I checked the 9 volt and the 123 bats which checked ok. I’ll take your advice and try to find the latest ones tomorrow.
Appreciate it.
After I checked the cr2032 bats I checked the 9 volt and the 123 bats which checked ok. I’ll take your advice and try to find the latest ones tomorrow.
Appreciate it.
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Good fix. I don't think GM needed to make these C7's so freaking gizmo 'ed.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 328
Likes: 27
From: Green Garden Illinois
Agreed. Loved my C2 and C3, C4 CE was the start of the tech. My C5 wasn’t bad, didn’t have our C6 very long. And you are right our C7 Z51 is extreme. We have a vert and don’t know why the top isn’t manual like our c5 was. Not like it’s hard to operate.🙄
Miss the C6 Z51 we had in Precision Red.
👍👍
Miss the C6 Z51 we had in Precision Red.
👍👍
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,002
Likes: 2,679
Worst case you can always stick it in the column slot to start the car. Just won't be able to lock and unlock the car (well you can unlock it but it involves crawling into the trunk).
I feel like the reason the C7 lost the pull to the door to pop it open is that the manual key is designed to get to the battery. In the C7 its in the trunk. In the C6 it was under the hood so to open the hood you needed to get into the driver door. Hence key to open hatch, pull to open door, then pull to open hood.
I feel like the reason the C7 lost the pull to the door to pop it open is that the manual key is designed to get to the battery. In the C7 its in the trunk. In the C6 it was under the hood so to open the hood you needed to get into the driver door. Hence key to open hatch, pull to open door, then pull to open hood.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 1,816
Likes: 616
From: Blacksburg Va
Ran into a problem on a gun safe electronic lock w/ 9V battery. Not sure if it applies to 2032s or not but look for 'good until' dates on the packaging. This was fall of 2025 and the best 9V batteries at that time had a date of 2030 I 'think' it was. This was from the help phone of the safe manufacturer and was new info to me.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 328
Likes: 27
From: Green Garden Illinois
Key Fobs
To continue, a few days passed since I replaced the batteries. Tried the remote start and again no luck. Inserted the fobs in the column and started the car. Did both. Afterwards both performed the remote start.
3 days later no luck. Guess there is a reprogramming procedure.
its 5 degrees/snow here and the cars on a lift so I’ll wait for better weather.
3 days later no luck. Guess there is a reprogramming procedure.
its 5 degrees/snow here and the cars on a lift so I’ll wait for better weather.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,859
Likes: 1,865
From: St. Louis Metro East IL
You should not need to reprogram the car to fobs if the fob is recognized in the steering column.
The owner's manual is your friend (from 2019 OM):
Conditions in Which Remote Start Will Not Work
The remote start will not operate if any of the following occur:
. The ignition is in any mode other than off.
. The RKE transmitter is in the vehicle.
. The hood is not closed.
. The hazard warning flashers are on.
. There is an emission control system malfunction.
. The engine coolant temperature is too high.
. The oil pressure is low.
. Two remote vehicle starts, or a remote start with an extension, have already been used.
. The vehicle is not in P (Park)
Ron
The owner's manual is your friend (from 2019 OM):
Conditions in Which Remote Start Will Not Work
The remote start will not operate if any of the following occur:
. The ignition is in any mode other than off.
. The RKE transmitter is in the vehicle.
. The hood is not closed.
. The hazard warning flashers are on.
. There is an emission control system malfunction.
. The engine coolant temperature is too high.
. The oil pressure is low.
. Two remote vehicle starts, or a remote start with an extension, have already been used.
. The vehicle is not in P (Park)
Ron
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 328
Likes: 27
From: Green Garden Illinois
After I replaced batteries both fobs worked remote start. Then a few days later tried and both did not. Checked battery in one and it showed 2.89 volts. Assumed the second one was similar.
Started the car with each one inserted in the column. Waited awhile and tried each and a successful remote start.
Then day before yesterday no luck and battery checked out at 2.89 volts again.
Wife says because I don’t drive it enough and who am I saving it for? She says like there aren’t any other C7’s available. 😂.
Question, do I need to start the car with the fobs in the column to reset?
Thanks
Started the car with each one inserted in the column. Waited awhile and tried each and a successful remote start.
Then day before yesterday no luck and battery checked out at 2.89 volts again.
Wife says because I don’t drive it enough and who am I saving it for? She says like there aren’t any other C7’s available. 😂.
Question, do I need to start the car with the fobs in the column to reset?
Thanks
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,859
Likes: 1,865
From: St. Louis Metro East IL
There is no reset required. Need batteries above at least 3.05v to work decently. See list of conditions posted above that can prevent remote start.
Jus bought EEMB 2032 batteries on Amazon - 3.30 v out of the package. Description shows some engineering data. (Also 2 yr old Toshibas are above 3.25 just sitting in a drawer.)
Ron
Jus bought EEMB 2032 batteries on Amazon - 3.30 v out of the package. Description shows some engineering data. (Also 2 yr old Toshibas are above 3.25 just sitting in a drawer.)
Ron