[1YESfan]

Gotta love technology. ;-)

 

[KKL]

Cost of CR1616 Batteries

One finds a wide range of prices for CR1616. I paid $3.50 shipped for a pack of 5 Maxell brand ones on AMAZON.COM.

 

[batteryguy]

Those damn bastards put blue LocTite on the screw from the factory, I've broken 2 key shells trying to get that damn screw out.

This is true. I do key fob battery replacement as part of my work in a retail battery store. I have managed to get a few out to find a sticky substance on the threads of the screw.

Honda also appears to use screws with extremely soft metal to make it easier to strip them.

I find that the best way to replace the battery once the screw is stripped is to follow this procedure:

Tools you will need:
Heatgun (like a blow dryer, but higher in temperature)
Flathead Screwdriver (Small head is best)
Exacto-knife
(1) 2016 size lithium coin cell battery (yours may vary)
Rubber mallet

1) Use a heat gun to soften the plastic, I used about 600 degrees fahrenheit.

2) Using a flat head screwdriver, gently widen the screw hole a very small amount.

3) Pry the key fob apart with an exacto-knife to cut through the melted plastic. The screw should fit through the now-widened hole.

4) Replace battery (duh.)

5) You may need to use a rubber mallet and additional plastic-softening with the heat-gun to snap the fob back together.

And if you don't feel like doing all that, most batteries plus stores have all the required tools and batteries, and charge 7.99 for replacement. You may have to tell them about this technique though or they'll just try to get the screw out and say it's impossible.

Most customers tip me a little extra when I do this since I think it's like a $100 cost if you go to the dealership.

 

[jaylweb]

I had stripped the screw on my key fob long before I found this post. The dealership said if they couldn't remove the screw that I would have to buy a whole new key fob plus pay for programming. All about $120. Since I realized the screw's metal was soft, I took a jewelers phillips head and tapped it a couple of times with a hammer, then slowly turned the screw. I had to tap the screw driver one more time when it started slipping again. I was happy to see the screw backing out and was even happier when it came out!! I bought a new battery (CR1616) for about $4 after tax at Batteries Plus. I know I could have found it cheaper elsewhere but was happy to not have to drive all over town. I don't see the need for the Loctite on the screw. I'm sure Honda means well as they have a reputation to uphold, but perhaps they should recall the key fobs (or key fob screws) since this is a huge issue. I thought it was just me until I found this forum. I had thought about heating the screw with a soldering iron but managed to get it out with my hammer method. Now I just need to hunt down a new screw.

 

[sjlee]

I had stripped the screw on my key fob long before I found this post. The dealership said if they couldn't remove the screw that I would have to buy a whole new key fob plus pay for programming. All about $120. Since I realized the screw's metal was soft, I took a jewelers phillips head and tapped it a couple of times with a hammer, then slowly turned the screw. I had to tap the screw driver one more time when it started slipping again. I was happy to see the screw backing out and was even happier when it came out!! I bought a new battery (CR1616) for about $4 after tax at Batteries Plus. I know I could have found it cheaper elsewhere but was happy to not have to drive all over town. I don't see the need for the Loctite on the screw. I'm sure Honda means well as they have a reputation to uphold, but perhaps they should recall the key fobs (or key fob screws) since this is a huge issue. I thought it was just me until I found this forum. I had thought about heating the screw with a soldering iron but managed to get it out with my hammer method. Now I just need to hunt down a new screw.

Honda isn't going to do a recall on their key fobs. While it is annoying, it is not a safety issue.

Maybe someone at Honda thought that the screw becoming loose and falling out was going to be an issue. Or maybe they just saw it as another potential revenue stream for dealers.

BTW - I've heard if you take the fob into a dealer to have them replace the battery, they will give you a new fob and program it for free if they end up damaging it while trying to get the screw out. I have no idea what they'd charge to replace the battery at the dealer, but I would think it's less than $120. Something to think about the next time the battery needs replacing.

 

[RSQ Pilot]

I had stripped the screw on my key fob long before I found this post. .... Now I just need to hunt down a new screw.

Local dealer wanted $6.00 for that screw.....the one that apparently fell out after 'they' replaced the battery about a year before....go to an eyeglass repair shop or steal on out of an old pair of sunglasses.

 

[pilotlite]

I've removed several of these screws - they're tight, but I've had good luck using the correct jeweler's screwdriver AND using vice-grips on the shank of the driver to turn the screw. This way you can keep steady/hard pressure to keep the driver engaged to the screw head so it doesn't cam out while you independently apply steady torque to the screw.

- Mark

Worked like a charm...thanks!

 

[nodinero]

The screw fits through a hole in the key shell and threads into a hole in the metal shaft of the key. I took my two keys to Autozone and Advance Auto parts and neither could remove the screws with the small 0 phillips screwdriver. I assume they use Loctite on the threads to prevent the screw from loosening and the shaft of the key from wobbling when you turn it.

I wound up carefully drilling out the head of the screw with a Dremel tool. A piece of the post of the screw remained in the shaft of the key. I replaced the battery and the shell clicked back together. Rather than glue the shell together, I wound a small piece of black (shiny) plastic electrical tape around the top part of the key shell.

As an alternative, you might be able to drill out the post of the screw from the key shaft, add a drop of super glue or epoxy to the hole in the key shaft, click the shell together and insert another small screw. The downside is that the screw is glued into the key shaft, if you need to get the shell apart.

Both Autozone and Advance Auto Parts had the proper battery at approximately $4-$5. Advance Auto was $1 cheaper. I assume stores like Pep Boys etc would also have the battery.

 

[GatorTrae]

Got an 08 the other day. Neither key fob worked. Two new batteries, now one works and the other does not. Does anyone know if the red light will come on when a button is depressed, even if the remote is NOT programmed for the car? I think it would still light up as an indicator that it's sending a signal. Much like a TV remote that is not programmed.
If this is the case, then it's more than the battery.
I kinda butchered up the screw and the case so not sure what to do now. The key module inside does not work, and the case won't stay shut as I've broken the two clips on the sides and the screw head is now gone.
If I can get the module to work then I'll just glue it back together.
Any suggestions on the module?
Thanks!

 

[humanoid]

Yes it'll light up even though it's not programmed for that car.

Sent from my Moto Droid RAZR MAXX

 

[sjlee]

Got an 08 the other day. Neither key fob worked. Two new batteries, now one works and the other does not. Does anyone know if the red light will come on when a button is depressed, even if the remote is NOT programmed for the car? I think it would still light up as an indicator that it's sending a signal. Much like a TV remote that is not programmed.
If this is the case, then it's more than the battery.
I kinda butchered up the screw and the case so not sure what to do now. The key module inside does not work, and the case won't stay shut as I've broken the two clips on the sides and the screw head is now gone.
If I can get the module to work then I'll just glue it back together.
Any suggestions on the module?
Thanks!

You're probably better off just getting a new key and having it cut/programmed.

If you want to avoid paying to have the new key cut, then I think you can remove the module from the new key and put it into your old key. Since the back is broken, it might be better just to go with a new key.

In the future, you may consider taking it to a dealership to have the battery replaced. I believe if they damage the old key, they'll give you a new one.

 

[macphanatic]

Tried that, I couldn't get the little transponder out of the OEM key to put it into the new key.

Use a small flat bladed screwdriver to pry it out. That's what I did with both of my keys.

 

[Caddyman]

i nag the wife (primary pilot driver) about her heavy keychain all the time, well i tried to start the truck a few months ago and totally snapped the key right off the fob lol, the key was still in the ignition with the fob in my hand.

so i took it apart, no worries about the screw lol. i pieced the broken pieces of plastic together, super glued it all up, and its working like a charm.

 

[cdubea]

Just a heads up on this.

I was at Home Depot today and they had a Husky 7-piece precision screwdriver set on closeout for $3. I think they are normally $8.

So I bought a set as I've got a key that needs a new battery for my '05 LX.

Using the smallest phillips in the pack the screw came out easily. This is a very good set of screw drivers (particularly for the price) and the driver fit the screw very snuggly.

I very slowly unscrewed the screw and it came right out.

Worth a look if you are at HD.

cheers.

chris

 

[obie2102]

I have run into this problem time and time again working at a Dealership. One word of advice i can give you is heat up the key blade with lighter a bit before attempting the screw. Takes just a little heat to loosen the loctite and they come right out. If you take a flathead screwdriver and pry the other end of the key open it's possible to get it out without completely breaking the key, then take a pair of vise grips to the old screw and replace with a new one.

 

[skykingrich]

Never strip again.

Sorry didnt see the above advice.
Heat the key tip and the screw will come out very easily because it will soften the locktite.