Navigating the world of car key fobs can sometimes feel more complex than it should. Particularly when dealing with aftermarket replacements, questions about battery compatibility and performance can arise. For owners of a 2003 PT Cruiser, understanding the nuances of key fob batteries, specifically the CR2016 and CR2032, is crucial for ensuring reliable remote operation.
One user’s experience highlights an interesting point regarding aftermarket key fobs for the 2003 PT Cruiser. They encountered a fob designed with a “closed” battery compartment, seemingly intended for a single CR2032 battery. This design inherently prevents the use of two batteries within the fob. However, the story doesn’t end with simple incompatibility.
The seller had installed a CR2032 in the aftermarket fob, likely due to its slightly greater thickness and amp strength compared to a CR2016. The physical constraints of the battery holder, however, suggest that it wasn’t designed to accommodate the height of two CR2016 batteries stacked together.
To understand the implications, it’s important to look at the technical specifications of these batteries. As battery information resources indicate, the CR2032 boasts approximately double the capacity of a CR2016. This translates directly to battery life; a CR2032 should theoretically power your 2003 Pt Cruiser Key Fob for a longer duration before needing replacement. Both battery types are 3-volt lithium-ion batteries, ensuring voltage compatibility for electronic devices designed for either.
However, battery specifications reveal another critical detail: interchangeability. Despite sharing the same diameter and voltage, CR2016 and CR2032 batteries are not typically interchangeable due to their differing thicknesses. This physical difference is a key factor in why some key fobs are designed for one type or the other. Furthermore, looking at capacity more granularly:
- CR2016: 75 – 90 mAh
- CR2025: 150 – 165 mAh
- CR2032: 210 – 230 mAh
While a single CR2032 offers higher capacity, the user in question theorized that two CR2016 batteries combined might actually provide a stronger signal strength compared to a single CR2032 in their aftermarket 2003 PT Cruiser key fob. This theory, although needing more rigorous testing, is based on the idea that combined batteries could potentially output a more robust signal, even if the single CR2032 has a longer lifespan. A battery store seemingly confirmed that even the single-battery aftermarket fob was indeed sending a signal, adding another layer to the puzzle.
Ultimately, in this particular case, the user received a refund from the seller of the aftermarket fob. They opted to purchase a used OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) key fob instead. This decision suggests a preference for the reliability and potentially better-engineered battery system of the original manufacturer’s design for their 2003 PT Cruiser. For 2003 PT Cruiser owners facing key fob battery issues, this experience highlights the importance of considering battery types and the potential trade-offs between aftermarket and OEM options.
