Is your 2009 Cadillac key fob starting to feel unresponsive? You might be facing the common issue of a dying key fob battery. Luckily, replacing the battery in your 2009 Cadillac key fob is a straightforward process you can easily handle yourself at home, saving you time and money compared to dealership service. This guide will walk you through each step, ensuring a smooth and successful battery replacement for your Cadillac key fob.
Step 1: Identify Your 2009 Cadillac Key Fob
Before you begin, it’s important to confirm you have the correct key fob and understand its basic components. The 2009 Cadillac key fob is typically designed as shown below. Familiarizing yourself with its structure will help you during the battery replacement process.
Step 2: Remove the Emergency Key from the Key Fob
Locate the small tab on your Cadillac key fob designed to release the emergency key. Press this tab firmly and gently pull the mechanical key out of the fob. This separation is necessary to access the internal compartment where the battery is located.
Important Caution: When disassembling your key fob, avoid prying at the key pocket. The key pocket area is part of a single fob half. Attempting to pry within this recess can cause damage to the plastic casing. Similarly, the opposite side also has a recess that belongs to a single half of the fob.
Step 3: Carefully Separate the Key Fob Halves
To open the Cadillac key fob, you’ll need a thin, flat tool. A table knife, a stiff guitar pick, or a specialized plastic trim tool can work effectively. Gently insert your chosen tool into the seam running along the key fob’s edge. Work patiently, gradually applying pressure to separate the two halves. Avoid forcing the tool too deeply to prevent damage to the internal tabs that hold the fob together.
Using tools that are too thick, like a standard screwdriver or a letter opener, is not recommended. These can be too forceful and might damage the plastic casing or leave unsightly marks.
The key fob is held together by plastic tabs along three sides. Take your time, applying gentle but consistent pressure until these tabs begin to release, allowing the halves to separate.
Step 4: Fully Open the Key Fob Casing
Once you have started to separate the halves, work your way around the fob. First, focus on opening one side, then the end opposite the emergency key slot, and finally, the remaining side should detach easily.
Step 5: Handle the Internal Electronics with Care
With the key fob open, be aware that the internal circuit board might become loose from its rubber housing. Handle the green circuit board assembly by its edges only.
Crucial Caution: Avoid touching the electronic components or any metal surfaces on the circuit board. Static electricity from your body can damage sensitive electronics, even if you don’t feel a static discharge. This is a critical step to prevent accidental damage to your Cadillac key fob.
If the components become separated, ensure you correctly reposition the circuit board in the rubber housing. The side of the green board with circular markings should face against the rubber part designed to hold it in place.
Step 6: Remove the Old Key Fob Battery
Now you can access the old battery. A toothpick or a similar non-metallic tool can be helpful for gently prying out the battery. While there are no electronic components in this half of the fob, it’s still advisable to be gentle. Be especially careful not to bend or damage the small metal spring contact that connects with the battery.
Step 7: Install the New CR2032 Battery
Your 2009 Cadillac key fob requires a CR2032 battery. Position the new battery with the positive (+) side facing down, into the battery compartment.
Start by sliding one edge of the battery under the metal spring contact. Then, use a toothpick or your finger to gently press the battery into place. If the battery doesn’t seat easily, double-check the orientation and ensure nothing is obstructing it. Avoid using excessive force.
Step 8: Reassemble the Cadillac Key Fob
Ensure the circuit board assembly is correctly seated within the rubber housing in one half of the fob. Carefully align the two halves of the key fob and press them firmly together. Work your way around the edges, squeezing until the case snaps back together. You should not need excessive force. If the fob doesn’t close easily, check the alignment of the internal components, particularly the emergency key release button, to ensure it’s correctly positioned in its slot.
Step 9: Final Step – Reinsert Emergency Key
Slide the emergency key back into its slot in the key fob until it clicks into place.
With the new CR2032 battery installed and your key fob reassembled, your 2009 Cadillac key fob should now be functioning correctly for another few years. You’ve successfully completed a DIY key fob battery replacement!
