7th Generation Maxima (2009-2015) Come in and talk about the 7th generation Maxima

Key FOB battery

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 27, 2009 | 08:33 PM
  #1  
trix_05's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 142
From: Toronto
Key FOB battery

So a while back I got a warning that the my FOB's battery was low. Naturally, I took note of the warning and purchased a replacement CR2032 battery. Put it in, same warning. I exchanged the battery for another, the warning went away for about 4 days, then re-appeared. Frustrated, I decided it was time to pull out the volt meter and found extra batteries around my house. I picked the highest charged battery (2.7v) and I'm still getting the low battery warning.

Has anyone else experienced this problem or am I just extremely unlucky with my batteries?
Old Dec 28, 2009 | 02:26 AM
  #2  
LtLeary's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,847
From: Central Florida
Interesting, I wouldn't think a 10% reduction in voltage would set it off. I'll attempt to measure the voltage on my "working fob" after work today. By the way, does your spare fob have the same issue? Have you measured it's battery?
Old Dec 28, 2009 | 07:56 AM
  #3  
MDG4572's Avatar
Newbie - Just Registered
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3
From: florida
I just changed my battery yesterday and the light went away with no problems.
Old Dec 28, 2009 | 08:25 AM
  #4  
09Maxima_Sam's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 583
From: Shenadoah Valley, Virginia
I had a similiar issue, it took me the purchase of two batteries before i got it right. The Keyfob system is very sensitive to that voltage. I went the 2nd time to a different store, and purchased a brand name battery. I also cleaned the internal contacts with some alcohol, installed the 2nd new battery and all is working fine. You may have gotten a battery that had been on the shelf awhile and was already a bit weak. I recommend that you get a big name brand like duracell when replacing these batterties. The "old" batterys still have a lot of juice in them, I just put them in my ipod/boombox remotes.

Also you may try after battery replacement, of sticking the keyfob into the keyfob port. Perhaps this will cause the unit and the warning to reset as well.
Old Dec 28, 2009 | 09:34 AM
  #5  
trix_05's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 142
From: Toronto
Thanks for the replies, I'll give this one last shot by buying a brand name battery. Also, my second FOB does not have this problem. It's never really been used so I guess that battery is still good.
Old Dec 28, 2009 | 10:04 AM
  #6  
bk2k3max's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,055
Originally Posted by 09Maxima_Sam
I had a similiar issue, it took me the purchase of two batteries before i got it right. The Keyfob system is very sensitive to that voltage. I went the 2nd time to a different store, and purchased a brand name battery. I also cleaned the internal contacts with some alcohol, installed the 2nd new battery and all is working fine. You may have gotten a battery that had been on the shelf awhile and was already a bit weak. I recommend that you get a big name brand like duracell when replacing these batterties. The "old" batterys still have a lot of juice in them, I just put them in my ipod/boombox remotes.

Also you may try after battery replacement, of sticking the keyfob into the keyfob port. Perhaps this will cause the unit and the warning to reset as well.
HTML Code:
Also you may try after battery replacement, of sticking the keyfob into the keyfob port.
My battery was acting crazy too, it wouldn't allow me to open the car with my keyfob and the indicator light on the dash wouldn't go off, so I took the fob and inserted it into the keyfob port and it went away without having to buy a new battery.

This is a great tip for anyone with keyfob problems, first try to use the keyfob port by inserting your keyfob into it.
Old Dec 29, 2009 | 04:07 PM
  #7  
BMWHIGH1's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 388
yeah cause the insert key fob is not only for holding the key.its also there to charge the battery. I actually love the way the keyless feature works on the lexus. its way better.
Old Dec 29, 2009 | 04:10 PM
  #8  
09Maxima_Sam's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 583
From: Shenadoah Valley, Virginia
Originally Posted by BMWHIGH1
yeah cause the insert key fob is not only for holding the key.its also there to charge the battery. I actually love the way the keyless feature works on the lexus. its way better.

The port does NOT charge the battery.
Old Dec 30, 2009 | 08:34 AM
  #9  
trix_05's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 142
From: Toronto
Originally Posted by BMWHIGH1
yeah cause the insert key fob is not only for holding the key.its also there to charge the battery.
Seeing as I'm purchasing non-rechargeable batteries, I'm not even sure how this could be suggested!
Old Dec 30, 2009 | 05:59 PM
  #10  
BMWHIGH1's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 388
Originally Posted by trix_05
Seeing as I'm purchasing non-rechargeable batteries, I'm not even sure how this could be suggested!
Why bother building it if its not going to charge the battery? dont tell me they put that there just to hold the key which is suppose to be in your pocket.
Old Dec 30, 2009 | 06:25 PM
  #11  
CT Maxima's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 271
The keyfob is a wireless device. It has a non-rechargeable battery. When the battery is dead, the wireless feature is dead. Placing the dead keyfob in the dash holder, the Max can then read the RFID tag in the fob. This allows the car to be started. The RFID is similar to the immobilizer keys and does not require a battery.

Taking this one step further; take the battery out of the fob and place it in the trunk in a secret place. The next step is to create a duplicate mechanical key and place it in a secret location on the outside of the car. If you lose your keyfob, just use the mechanical key to open up the Max, pop the trunk and recover the de-natured keyfob. Place it in the dash keyfob holder, and you can start your car.

For extra credit, you can secretly hide a battery in the Max and join it with the keyfob to have a full service keyfob. But this gets too complicated.

I have a perfect hiding location for the mechanical key. But that would be telling all my secrets.

Last edited by CT Maxima; Dec 30, 2009 at 06:28 PM.
Old Dec 31, 2009 | 03:06 AM
  #12  
lightonthehill's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,143
From: a meadow south of Atlanta
Originally Posted by CT Maxima
The keyfob is a wireless device. It has a non-rechargeable battery. When the battery is dead, the wireless feature is dead. Placing the dead keyfob in the dash holder, the Max can then read the RFID tag in the fob. This allows the car to be started. The RFID is similar to the immobilizer keys and does not require a battery.

Taking this one step further; take the battery out of the fob and place it in the trunk in a secret place. The next step is to create a duplicate mechanical key and place it in a secret location on the outside of the car. If you lose your keyfob, just use the mechanical key to open up the Max, pop the trunk and recover the de-natured keyfob. Place it in the dash keyfob holder, and you can start your car.

For extra credit, you can secretly hide a battery in the Max and join it with the keyfob to have a full service keyfob. But this gets too complicated.

I have a perfect hiding location for the mechanical key. But that would be telling all my secrets.


I just saw the grades posted for the Complex Logic class, and CT Maxima earned an 'A'.

I do enjoy reading and thinking about the many different possibilities of this intelligent keyfob. I know the dealers love that keyfob port, as they simply take the fob from my hand, slide it into the port, and leave it there until they have finished servicing the car. This keeps some greasy mechanic from misplacing it behind a pile of tools.
Old Dec 31, 2009 | 03:57 AM
  #13  
STARR's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,465
From: NY
Originally Posted by lightonthehill
I just saw the grades posted for the Complex Logic class, and CT Maxima earned an 'A'.

I do enjoy reading and thinking about the many different possibilities of this intelligent keyfob. I know the dealers love that keyfob port, as they simply take the fob from my hand, slide it into the port, and leave it there until they have finished servicing the car. This keeps some greasy mechanic from misplacing it behind a pile of tools.
May I ask what dealer you get your Maxima serviced at.
Old Dec 31, 2009 | 07:18 AM
  #14  
LtLeary's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,847
From: Central Florida
I finally got around to checking the voltage on my battery. Using a Sperry DM-350A I'm showing 3.03V after 15 months. I wonder if there was a bad batch of batteries of if perhaps some are inadvertently pressing buttons while in their pockets?
Old Dec 31, 2009 | 07:18 PM
  #15  
PrntRhd's Avatar
Newbie - Just Registered
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 12
From: Fairfield CA
Wife just had the low fob battery indication on the dash. Interesting because it still indicated that with both of us in the car and both of us had our fobs. Replaced the battery in hers and all is well. I do think it was a bad batch of batteries.
Old Dec 31, 2009 | 08:27 PM
  #16  
KillaKam's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,192
From: CT
I'm having the same problem w/ mine although it lasted for about a month but every once in a while the light will come back on saying that I have a low batter but will go away after about 2 minutes and I might not see it again for a few days.
Old Jan 1, 2010 | 01:45 AM
  #17  
lightonthehill's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,143
From: a meadow south of Atlanta
Originally Posted by STARR
May I ask what dealer you get your Maxima serviced at.

My dealer is Nissan South, and has two locations; one in Union City GA and one in Morrow GA. I have used no other dealer for almost fourteen years now. I live further south than those locations, but can get to them without having to get into Atlanta area traffic.
Old Jan 1, 2010 | 09:35 PM
  #18  
STARR's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,465
From: NY
Originally Posted by lightonthehill
My dealer is Nissan South, and has two locations; one in Union City GA and one in Morrow GA. I have used no other dealer for almost fourteen years now. I live further south than those locations, but can get to them without having to get into Atlanta area traffic.
I live and go to school just minutes away from Marietta Team Nissan, those 2 you mentioned are way further then I would like to travel, Thank you, I have been asking around where I should get my car serviced.
Old Dec 2, 2010 | 07:00 AM
  #19  
2young2retire's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 546
From: Hot Springs Village, AR
Originally Posted by CT Maxima
The keyfob is a wireless device. It has a non-rechargeable battery. When the battery is dead, the wireless feature is dead. Placing the dead keyfob in the dash holder, the Max can then read the RFID tag in the fob. This allows the car to be started. The RFID is similar to the immobilizer keys and does not require a battery.

Taking this one step further; take the battery out of the fob and place it in the trunk in a secret place. The next step is to create a duplicate mechanical key and place it in a secret location on the outside of the car. If you lose your keyfob, just use the mechanical key to open up the Max, pop the trunk and recover the de-natured keyfob. Place it in the dash keyfob holder, and you can start your car.

For extra credit, you can secretly hide a battery in the Max and join it with the keyfob to have a full service keyfob. But this gets too complicated.

I have a perfect hiding location for the mechanical key. But that would be telling all my secrets.
I did the same thing after I pruchased my Max in mid '09. I guess great minds think alike. Now I wonder if we have the same hiding places.
Old Dec 2, 2010 | 02:32 PM
  #20  
Juggernaut23's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 424
From: Central N.J.
I use the pace maker Brand/Type or the lithium type so it lasts much longer.
Old Dec 3, 2010 | 01:09 PM
  #21  
mls277's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 951
I ordered energizers online and it all worked fine.
Old Apr 5, 2011 | 11:54 AM
  #22  
dfnomad
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
you mention "create a duplicate mechanical key". Can that be done at any key cutting shop or is the key blank something special from Nissan?
thx

Originally Posted by CT Maxima
The keyfob is a wireless device. It has a non-rechargeable battery. When the battery is dead, the wireless feature is dead. Placing the dead keyfob in the dash holder, the Max can then read the RFID tag in the fob. This allows the car to be started. The RFID is similar to the immobilizer keys and does not require a battery.

Taking this one step further; take the battery out of the fob and place it in the trunk in a secret place. The next step is to create a duplicate mechanical key and place it in a secret location on the outside of the car. If you lose your keyfob, just use the mechanical key to open up the Max, pop the trunk and recover the de-natured keyfob. Place it in the dash keyfob holder, and you can start your car.

For extra credit, you can secretly hide a battery in the Max and join it with the keyfob to have a full service keyfob. But this gets too complicated.

I have a perfect hiding location for the mechanical key. But that would be telling all my secrets.
Old Feb 9, 2013 | 02:31 PM
  #23  
ToroMax's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 491
From: SoCal
The toromax is saying that the fob battery needs to be replaced soon. How i change it? and what kind of battery? Dont want to be left stranded somewhere.
Old Feb 9, 2013 | 03:50 PM
  #24  
MaxSport9's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 27
You won't be stranded, just use the mechanical key that's inside the fob to open a locked door. Then place the fob in the keyport to start your car (it's below the mirror adjustment/trunk opener to the left of steering wheel). This video shows you how to swap battery CR2032.

Last edited by MaxSport9; Feb 9, 2013 at 03:53 PM.
Old Feb 10, 2013 | 04:33 AM
  #25  
williammmurphy's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 35
rechargable batterys

bought on e bay 2032 rechargeable batterys with the charger the vilts are 3.6 works perfect but time to thime the lo battery does come on i think cleaning the conections inside the remote and put the remote into the key fob when u just replace the battery is the best we can do . sometime i will talk to the dealer to see what they say i am sure this is an ongoing problem the dealer is well aware of .
Old Feb 10, 2013 | 05:00 AM
  #26  
09Maxima_Sam's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 583
From: Shenadoah Valley, Virginia
Rechargeable 2032s, I have never heard of such a thing. I would think a rechargable would be too weak. I have found that sometimes that certain battery brands are just a little too weak for my keyfob. Rayovac's for example are new out of the package with recent manufacture dates, but usually start displaying the weak battery icon within a week of install. I went to my local Radio Shack and got their brand, Energizer I think, and my keyfob has lasted for as 9 months or more. So if you get the keyfob low battery message a lot, first try a different manufacture from a different store.
Old Feb 10, 2013 | 09:49 AM
  #27  
ToroMax's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 491
From: SoCal
Originally Posted by MaxSport9
You won't be stranded, just use the mechanical key that's inside the fob to open a locked door. Then place the fob in the keyport to start your car (it's below the mirror adjustment/trunk opener to the left of steering wheel). This video shows you how to swap battery CR2032. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rocyzHJgn8
Thank you sir! could not have asked for a better example. Dont know where i would be without the Org.
Old Feb 10, 2013 | 11:00 AM
  #28  
Lemonhawk's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 184
From: Palm Harbor, FL
rechargable cr2032

Yes, rechargeables exist, but hard to justify the expense (battery + charger), considering the cost of the non -rechargeable and the length of time the non-rechargeables last. But it is easy to get an old battery from the store. I'd take the battery back to the store and complain. I replaced mine 4 days ago and the warning disappeared (2010 max). Be nice if the manufactures date coded the packs, but then no one would buy the old stock!
Old Sep 2, 2015 | 07:51 AM
  #29  
monty0620's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 69
From: MINOT,ND
cleaning keyfob

take some distilled alcohol and and a qtip and clean battery connections done no more voltage problems we do this all the time with customer fobs
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
My Coffee
New Member Introductions
15
Jun 6, 2017 02:01 PM
gigabyte
8th Generation Maxima (2016-)
8
Jan 6, 2017 06:05 PM
Fbana41
Maximas for Sale / Wanted
3
Aug 29, 2016 12:18 PM
bigfrank
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
2
Oct 1, 2015 12:51 PM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 10:08 AM.