Are you experiencing trouble with your 2015 Nissan Altima key fob? Does it only work intermittently, or not at all? One of the most common culprits is a dead battery. Fortunately, replacing the battery in your Nissan Altima key fob is a straightforward DIY task that you can accomplish in just a few minutes with minimal tools. This guide will walk you through each step of the 2015 Nissan Altima Key Fob Battery Replacement process, ensuring you can get your key fob working like new again.
This guide is specifically tailored for the 2015 Nissan Altima, but the procedure is also applicable to a range of Nissan and INFINITI models that use similar key fobs. If you own one of the following vehicles, you may also find this tutorial helpful:
Nissan Models:
- Versa
- Maxima
- Juke
- Rogue
- Murano
- Xterra
- Pathfinder
- Sentra
- Cube
- Armada
- Leaf
- Quest
- Frontier
INFINITI Models:
- 370Z
- GT-R
- Titan
- G25
- G37
- M35
- M37
Gathering Your Replacement Parts and Tools
Before you begin, it’s essential to have the necessary replacement part and tools ready. This simple task requires only one readily available battery and a common household tool:
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Replacement Battery: You will need one 3-volt coin cell battery, specifically part number CR2032. This is a very common battery type, often used in watches and other small electronics. You can easily find CR2032 batteries at most drug stores, grocery stores, hardware stores, and online retailers. Brands like Panasonic, Energizer, Sony, Duracell, and Maxell all offer this battery type. For optimal performance, consider checking your Nissan Altima owner’s manual to identify the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) battery. Often, Nissan uses Panasonic CR2032 batteries as original equipment.
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Tool: A mini flathead screwdriver is required to open the key fob casing. The type of screwdriver used for eyeglasses repair works perfectly.
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Optional but Recommended: A thin microfiber cloth can be used to protect the key fob’s plastic casing from scratches during the opening process.
Preparation Steps Before You Begin
To ensure a smooth and damage-free battery replacement, take a few moments for preparation:
- Protect the Fob: Lay down your microfiber cloth on your work surface. This will provide a soft area to work on and minimize the risk of scratching the key fob components.
- Detach from Keyring: Remove the Nissan Altima key fob from your keyring. This will give you more maneuverability and prevent accidental damage to your keys or the fob itself.
Understanding the Emergency Ignition Key
Before we dive into the battery replacement, it’s important to understand the emergency ignition key. Every Nissan Altima key fob, and similar keyless entry systems, includes a mechanical emergency key concealed within the fob. This key is a crucial backup that allows you to manually unlock your car door should your key fob battery die unexpectedly.
The door handle on your 2015 Nissan Altima has a hidden keyhole, typically located on the underside of the handle. In an emergency, you can insert the emergency key into this keyhole to unlock your vehicle.
The first step in replacing your key fob battery is to remove this emergency key. Let’s proceed with the step-by-step battery replacement process.
Step-by-Step 2015 Nissan Altima Key Fob Battery Replacement Guide
Follow these detailed steps to replace the battery in your 2015 Nissan Altima key fob:
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Position the Key Fob: Place the key fob on your prepared work surface with the Nissan buttons facing downwards.
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Remove the Emergency Key: Locate the small release tab on the key fob. This tab is usually a small slider switch. Push and hold the release tab towards the edge of the key fob, away from the metal key ring loop. While holding the tab, gently pull down on the bottom edge of the key fob where the key is located. The emergency key should slide out of the fob. Set the emergency key aside in a safe place where you won’t misplace it.
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Separate the Key Fob Casing: Turn the key fob over so the buttons are facing upwards. Look into the slot where you just removed the emergency key. You’ll notice small notches or seams along the edge of the plastic casing within this slot. These are designed to help you pry the fob open.
Carefully insert the tip of your mini flathead screwdriver into one of these notches. Gently twist the screwdriver to begin separating the two halves of the key fob. If one notch is too tight, try the other notch. Work your screwdriver around the seam, gently prying until the two halves of the key fob begin to separate. Take your time and avoid using excessive force to prevent damaging the plastic. Once you have created a small opening, you can often use your fingers to carefully pull the two halves completely apart. Remove the top half of the key fob casing.
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Access and Replace the Old Battery: With the top half of the casing removed, you will see the circuit board and the battery compartment. The CR2032 battery will be visible, held in place by small metal clips. Note the orientation of the battery – usually, the positive (+) side faces upwards.
Use your mini flathead screwdriver to gently pry the old battery out of its compartment. Be careful not to scratch the circuit board or any other electronic components. Once the old battery is removed, take your new CR2032 battery and slide it into the battery compartment. Ensure the positive (+) side of the new battery is facing upwards, matching the orientation of the old battery. Push the new battery firmly into place until it is securely held by the metal clips.
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Reassemble the Key Fob: Carefully align the two halves of the key fob casing. Press them firmly together, ensuring they are flush and securely closed on all edges. You should hear a click as the two halves snap back into place.
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Reinsert the Emergency Key: Slide the emergency key back into its slot in the key fob until it clicks securely in place.
Testing Your Key Fob
After reassembling your key fob, test it to ensure the battery replacement was successful. Press the lock, unlock, and panic buttons to verify they are functioning correctly. Your 2015 Nissan Altima key fob should now be working perfectly with its new battery.
Conclusion
Replacing the battery in your 2015 Nissan Altima key fob is a simple and cost-effective way to restore its functionality. By following these steps, you can avoid a trip to the dealership and quickly get your key fob working again. Remember to consult your owner’s manual for specific battery recommendations and other helpful information regarding your Nissan Altima.
For more helpful car care tips and guides for your Nissan or other vehicles, explore our service tips and tricks section.
