Are you encountering a persistent “Smart key battery low” message on your Range Rover, even after replacing the key fob battery? You’re not alone. Many Range Rover owners and even dealership technicians have faced this issue. This guide, based on official service bulletins, will explain why this happens and how to correctly change your Range Rover key fob battery to resolve this frustrating message.
The problem often isn’t a faulty key fob, but rather the way the battery is replaced and the type of battery used. The Range Rover’s smart key system is quite sensitive to battery voltage. The “Smart key battery low” message appears when the key fob battery voltage drops below 2.44 volts. Critically, the system only clears this message when the battery voltage is above 2.95 volts.
This is where many people run into trouble. Simply swapping in any CR2032 battery might not solve the issue. Batteries that have been stored for a long time, especially in humid or hot conditions (above 75% humidity or 25°C), can degrade and may not reach the required voltage threshold, even if brand new. Dealers have also reported issues when using batteries from “known good” keys for testing, as these batteries might also be aged.
To properly change your Range Rover key fob battery and clear the low battery message, follow these steps:
- Use a Brand New Battery: Always use a fresh CR2032 battery, ideally one that is still in its original packaging. The Land Rover part number for the recommended battery is YWK10003L, but any high-quality CR2032 from a reputable brand should work if it’s genuinely new.
- Proper Battery Installation: Open your Range Rover key fob and carefully replace the old battery with the new CR2032, ensuring correct polarity (+/-).
- Perform Key Fob Authentication: After replacing the battery, you need to perform two smart key authentications to allow the Range Rover to recognize the new battery voltage and clear the message. Do this by pressing any button on your Range Rover key fob twice.
In most cases, these steps will resolve the “Smart key battery low” message. If the message persists after trying these steps with a new battery, try fitting another new battery and repeating the authentication process. If you still see the message after trying multiple new batteries and authentications, then there may be an issue with the key fob itself. In this situation, it’s recommended to contact your Land Rover dealer for further assistance and potential key fob replacement. Remember to keep the original and replacement batteries for potential investigation by the dealership if needed.
By following these guidelines, you can effectively change the battery on your Range Rover key fob and confidently clear the “Smart key battery low” message, ensuring your key fob operates reliably.
