Is your 2014 GMC Sierra key fob starting to feel a little unresponsive? Maybe you’re finding yourself pressing the buttons harder or multiple times to lock, unlock, or start your vehicle remotely. It might be time for a battery change! Don’t worry, you don’t need to be a mechanic or spend a fortune at the dealership. Replacing the battery in your 2014 GMC key fob is a simple DIY task you can easily accomplish at home in just a few minutes.
This guide will walk you through the process of a 2014 Gmc Key Fob Battery Replacement step-by-step. Not only will this save you money, but it’s also a great way to familiarize yourself with your key fob. We’ll even touch on how to potentially upgrade your aging fob to a newer style if you’re feeling a bit adventurous, just like our original poster did! Let’s dive in and get your key fob working like new again.
Before we start, gather these simple tools:
- #0 Philips screwdriver: A small Philips head screwdriver is essential.
- Small flat blade screwdriver (m1.8 or similar): For gently prying open the fob.
- Penny or thin plastic pry tool: To initially open the key fob casing.
- New CR2032 battery: This is the standard battery for most GMC key fobs, but double-check to be sure. You can find these at most drugstores or online.
Now, let’s get started with the 2014 GMC key fob battery replacement:
Step 1: Opening Your 2014 GMC Key Fob
The first step is to open your existing, older key fob. Flip the fob over to the back. You’ll see a small slot, perfect for inserting a coin. Use your penny (it really does work best!) or a thin plastic pry tool to gently twist in the slot. This will pop the back cover of the key fob open. Once you have a gap, you can usually pull the rest of the back cover off with your fingers.
Step 2: Accessing the Circuit Board and Battery
With the back cover removed, you’ll see the battery. Take your #0 Philips screwdriver (or even a round pen might work in a pinch) and look closely inside the now-opened key fob casing. You’ll notice small holes on the inside of the fob housing. Insert the tip of your screwdriver into one of these holes and apply firm, gentle pressure straight in – avoid twisting. You should hear or feel a slight pop as one edge of the fob begins to separate. Repeat this in the other hole. Once both sides are popped, you can usually pull the two halves of the key fob housing apart with your fingers. Turn the housing over and gently shake it. The circuit board, along with the battery, should easily fall out. Set these components aside carefully.
Step 3: Disassembling the New Key Fob (If Upgrading the Case)
Now, if you’re simply replacing the battery and reusing your existing case, you can skip to Step 4. However, if you’re like our original poster and decided to upgrade to a nicer key fob case, this step is crucial – and requires a bit of finesse! This is where carefulness is key, especially when dealing with a new fob casing.
The new fob case might have chrome side pieces that are solid and not split. These pieces actually hold the two halves of the new case together. Incorrectly removing them can damage your new fob. Turn the new key fob face down. Using your small flat blade screwdriver (like an m1.8), carefully insert the blade under the chrome edging at the points shown in the images from the original guide. Gently pry one end loose, and importantly, hold it firmly so it doesn’t snap back into place! Remove the blade and then pry the other end of the chrome piece loose. Once both tabs are released, the chrome edging should pull free. Repeat this process for the other chrome piece on the opposite side of the fob. After removing both chrome pieces, you’ll see small plastic tabs along the edges of the case. Use your flat blade screwdriver to gently pry these tabs back, and then carefully pull the two halves of the new housing apart.
Step 4: Replacing the Battery and Reassembling
With both the old and new key fob cases open (or just your old case if you’re not upgrading), carefully remove the old CR2032 battery from the circuit board. Note the orientation of the battery (+ side up). Install the new CR2032 battery in the same orientation.
If you upgraded your case, take the circuit board from your old key fob and place it into the new key fob case. If you are just replacing the battery, simply place the circuit board back into your original key fob case. Snap the two halves of the key fob case back together, ensuring they are securely closed. If you used a new case, re-attach the chrome side pieces by carefully snapping them back into place. Finally, replace the back cover of the key fob until it clicks shut.
Testing Your Key Fob
That’s it! You’ve successfully completed your 2014 GMC key fob battery replacement. Test your key fob to ensure all buttons are working correctly – lock, unlock, remote start, and panic button. If everything works, you’ve saved yourself a trip to the dealership and the associated costs. If you upgraded your case, you now have a fresh-looking key fob to match your awesome GMC truck!
If you happen to have a spare, unprogrammed circuit board from the new key fob case, you can place it in your old key fob housing and consider selling it online or keeping it as a spare – just like our original poster suggested.
Replacing your 2014 GMC key fob battery is a straightforward process that any GMC owner can handle. By following these steps, you can keep your key fob functioning perfectly and avoid unnecessary dealership expenses. Enjoy the peace of mind knowing your key fob is powered up and ready to go!
