Is your 2009 Honda Accord key fob starting to feel unresponsive or working only intermittently? A common culprit is a low battery. Replacing the battery in your key fob is a simple task you can easily do yourself, saving you time and money compared to visiting a dealership. This guide will walk you through each step to replace your 2009 Honda Accord key fob battery.
Before you begin, you’ll need a few tools. The most important is a #0 Phillips head screwdriver. For key fobs that haven’t been opened before or are a bit older, the screw might be tight due to thread-locking chemicals Honda uses. In these cases, a higher quality #0 Phillips screwdriver will be beneficial. Some technicians even recommend briefly heating the screwdriver tip with a lighter or candle to help loosen the screw if it’s particularly stubborn.
Now, let’s get started with the battery replacement process:
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Locate the Screw: Turn your Honda Accord key fob over. You will see a small Phillips head screw on the back casing.
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Loosen and Remove the Screw: Using your #0 Phillips head screwdriver, carefully loosen and remove this screw. Be patient and apply steady pressure to avoid stripping the screw head.
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Separate the Key Fob Halves: Once the screw is removed, you can separate the two halves of the key fob casing. Many Honda key fobs have a small slot along the side to aid in prying them apart. Insert a fingernail or a small plastic pry tool into this slot and gently twist to separate the halves. If your key fob is a bit stiff, like some 2010 Accord models, you might need to apply a bit more force. Don’t worry if it feels like it might break; the plastic is more resilient than it seems. It should eventually pop open.
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Access the Circuit Board and Battery Capsule: After opening the key fob, you’ll see a small black capsule containing the circuit board with the buttons for door lock, unlock, and panic functions.
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Open the Battery Capsule: Carefully open the black capsule. There’s usually a small slot at one end of the capsule that you can use with a small flat-head jeweler’s screwdriver to gently pry it open. Pay close attention to the orientation of the two halves of this capsule as they only fit back together correctly in one direction. This ensures proper contact with the battery.
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Identify the Old Battery: Once the capsule is open, you’ll see the battery. For a 2009 Honda Accord key fob, and similar models like the 2008 and 2010 Accords, the battery is typically a Panasonic CR1616 3V button cell battery. It’s always a good idea to double-check the markings on your old battery to confirm the correct replacement.
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Remove the Old Battery and Clean Contacts (If Necessary): Gently remove the old CR1616 battery. Inspect the battery contacts inside the capsule, both the negative surface and the positive landing pad. A known issue with some Honda key fobs, particularly in 2008 and newer Accords and 2009 and newer Pilots, is the presence of dielectric grease on these contacts. Honda uses this grease as a protectant, but sometimes it can interfere with battery conductivity, causing a weak signal even if the battery isn’t actually depleted. If you see any grease on the contacts, carefully wipe it clean with a clean, dry cloth or a cotton swab.
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Insert the New Battery: Place the new CR1616 3V battery into the capsule, ensuring the correct polarity (positive and negative sides are oriented as indicated in the capsule or as the old battery was placed).
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Reassemble the Battery Capsule and Key Fob: Close the two halves of the battery capsule, making sure they snap securely together in the correct orientation. Then, place the capsule back into the key fob casing. Carefully align the two halves of the key fob casing and press them together until they snap closed.
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Reinstall the Screw: Finally, reinsert and tighten the Phillips head screw on the back of the key fob. Don’t overtighten it, just make sure it’s snug.
After completing these steps, your 2009 Honda Accord key fob should be working perfectly with a fresh battery. If you continue to experience issues after replacing the battery and cleaning the contacts, it’s recommended to consult with a Honda dealership or a qualified automotive locksmith for further diagnosis and repair.
