Encountering problems after replacing the battery in your 2016 Honda CRV key fob? You’re not alone. It’s a common issue where a fresh battery doesn’t seem to solve the problem. Let’s dive into why this might happen and how to get your key fob working smoothly again.
One crucial aspect often overlooked is the battery voltage. A brand new key fob battery should typically register between 3.3 to 3.4 volts DC (vdc). Key fobs are designed to alert you to low battery levels, often around 3.0 volts. This is because these small button batteries tend to have a consistent discharge rate before experiencing a rapid drop-off in power around 2.9 vdc, leading to sudden failure. Honda’s system is designed to prompt battery replacement proactively at approximately 3.0vdc to avoid unexpected issues.
However, if you’ve just replaced the battery and your key fob is still unresponsive, the problem might not be the battery itself, but rather the electrical connection within the fob. A frequent cause of failure after a battery swap is a poor connection between the battery and the key fob’s battery slot contacts.
To troubleshoot this, we recommend a simple “rinse and repeat” method. Start by re-installing the new battery, ensuring you’ve removed any plastic protective film that might be present on either side of the battery contacts. Sometimes, the initial attempt might simply have resulted in a slightly misaligned or weak connection.
If this doesn’t resolve the issue, proceed with a more detailed inspection:
- Disassemble the Fob: Carefully open the key fob casing again.
- Inspect Battery Contacts: Closely examine the metal contacts within the fob that connect with the battery. Sometimes, these contacts can get slightly bent during battery replacement, preventing them from making solid contact with the new battery’s poles. This could explain why the old battery might seem to work (due to existing contact adaptation) while a new one doesn’t.
- Voltage Check at Contacts: Use a voltmeter to test if the fob’s contact points are actually receiving voltage from the newly installed battery. This confirms the battery is indeed providing power to the fob’s circuit.
- Re-check Battery Protectors: Double-check the new battery itself for any remaining plastic protector tabs on its poles. While less common, these can sometimes be missed.
- Measure New Battery Voltage: Before reassembly, measure the voltage of the new battery again to ensure it’s above 3.2 vdc, ideally around 3.3 vdc.
- Reinstall and Test: Reassemble the key fob carefully and test its functionality.
By following these steps, you can effectively diagnose and fix most common battery-related issues with your 2016 Honda CRV key fob, ensuring you’re back on the road with a reliably working remote.
