Have you ever been stranded because your key fob suddenly stopped working? It’s a common inconvenience, especially with modern keyless entry systems. If you own a 2015 Kia Soul and are experiencing issues with your key fob, the most likely culprit is a dead battery. Fortunately, replacing the battery in your 2015 Kia Soul key fob is a straightforward process you can easily handle yourself. This guide will walk you through how to get back on the road quickly and efficiently when your key fob battery dies.
First, let’s address the immediate concern: how to actually get into and start your Kia Soul if the key fob battery is dead. Don’t worry, you’re not locked out! Your 2015 Kia Soul key fob is equipped with a mechanical key.
This image shows a Kia Soul key fob and highlights the location of the hidden mechanical key for emergency door unlocking.
Simply locate the small release button or latch on your key fob. Press or slide this release, and the mechanical key will slide out. You can then use this key to manually unlock your driver’s side door, just like a traditional car key.
Now that you’re inside your vehicle, you might be wondering how to start it without a working key fob signal. For 2015 Kia Soul models, there are a couple of methods to start your car even with a dead key fob battery.
One method involves using a special port located in your glove box. Open your glove compartment and look for a slot that resembles a large SD card reader or a port designed to accommodate your key fob.
This image illustrates the key fob port inside the glove compartment of a Kia Soul, used for starting the car when the key fob battery is low or dead.
Insert your Kia Soul key fob into this port. Ensure it clicks into place and is securely connected. This port is designed to read the RFID chip in your key fob even when the battery is dead by using the car’s power. Once inserted, you should be able to start your Kia Soul by pressing the start button as you normally would.
Alternatively, some newer models, and possibly even your 2015 Kia Soul depending on the specific trim and features, may allow you to start the vehicle by directly touching the key fob to the engine start/stop button. Try holding your key fob directly against the start button and then press the start button as usual. This method also utilizes a short-range communication technology to bypass the dead battery and allow the car to recognize the key fob’s signal.
Once your car is running, your next step should be to replace the dead battery in your key fob. This is an inexpensive and easy fix. The battery you’ll need is a CR2032 button cell battery. You can find these batteries at most drug stores, grocery stores, and online retailers.
To replace the battery, you’ll need a small flathead screwdriver. Carefully pry open the key fob casing using the screwdriver. There’s usually a small notch or seam on the fob designed for this purpose. Once open, you’ll see the CR2032 battery. Take note of the battery’s orientation (+ side up) before removing it. Pop out the old battery and insert the new CR2032 battery in the same orientation. Finally, snap the key fob casing back together until it’s securely closed.
With a fresh battery, your 2015 Kia Soul key fob should be working perfectly again. You can test it by locking and unlocking your doors remotely. Replacing your key fob battery promptly will prevent future inconveniences and ensure you always have reliable access to your vehicle.
As a final tip, in an emergency situation where your brake light switch is malfunctioning, you can override the brake safety feature to start your 2015 Kia Soul. With either a working key fob battery or by using the glove box port/touch start method, press and hold the start button for approximately 10 seconds. This will bypass the brake pedal requirement and allow the engine to start. Remember, this is only for emergency situations and you should address any brake light switch issues immediately for safety.
