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I've replaced the battery, in my second key fob, with the recommended 3 V Maxell CR 2025, made in Japan and seemingly the exact replacement of the original battery. The car's message system keeps telling me that "battery needs to be replaced".
The dealer has told me the internet purchased replacement batteries are not "exact" and the message will continue until their own supplied battery is installed.
This occurred with the other key fob and the same results.
Any one else have this problem.?
How can I remove this message ?
I am having the same issue. I replaced batteries on both keys. The message went away for a few weeks but is now back. Same time on both keys. If i need to purchase a battery from the dealer i am going to be quite unhappy and will let them know. I don't think MB is in the battery making business so why should it matter if you use a replacement. Also since both keys behaved the same way at the same time and my wife uses her key much more then i do something seems a bit fishy.
Pull the Keyless Go button - start with the key - turn off - replace the keyless button and restart.
What the dealer service dept told you is nonsense - absolute nonsense make sure your message refers to the FOB and is not a battery issue with your GL - the "back" buttom on the left side of the wheel should erase.
My service dept now uses the same Maxell battery - and frankly it's awesome as compared to the junk batteries out there.
Last post was kindof interesting - since spec battery is CR2025 - the CR2032 is a bit thicker - but probably "squeezed fit" with the rubber doughnut in the fob pop-off cover..
Last post was kindof interesting - since spec battery is CR2025 - the CR2032 is a bit thicker - but probably "squeezed fit" with the rubber doughnut in the fob pop-off cover..
You are right! Just checked the old battery - it was Energizer cr2025. When I went to replace it yesterday I grabbed the battery from the drawer that looked the same and was wondering why it was a tight fit - it was the 2032. Not even sure why I have it - maybe for a garage door opener...
DO NOT use 2032 - just replaced it with the proper 2025 - it was not easy to get the 2032 out!
Gosh, they keep a drawer full of those batteries in the parts department at the dealership I go to. All you have to do is ask for one and they're free. I don't understand why dealerships don't get how simple, inexpensive gestures like that can create a lot of good will.
Had the same message last week.......'replace key fob battery'. Stopped by the dealer and within 2 minutes was on my way with new battery at no charge.
Still same problem. Message says replace key battery. I followed Fabb's advice, exactly, but the message remained. Repeated same thing, message remains.
If I press OK center button, the message goes away, but returns the next time I start the car.
When this happened 6 months ago with my other key, I had to go to the dealership to remove the message.
Any other ideas ?
The batteries I purchased on Amazon are exactly as described as the originals. The car otherwise works perfectly with this "keybattery message"
If you are keeping the 2nd key inside the car - which I doubt - and key#2 battery is going low.. again, out here.
You may need to see dealer service to see if reprogramming needs to be done.
The other tip - if the fob battery on one key is failing - then the other key fob battery is failing do.. best to replace both at same time so you don't hedgehog from one then to the other, etc..
Key fob #2 is fine without message.
I had hoped that removing ignition plug and re-installing technique would work, but , alas, I tried three times without success.
Back to the dealer at some point in time, for probable re-programming.
Thanks for the assistance...
Another thought - Maxell Japan CR2025 comes on plastic card "silver/orangish" foil paper inside with "hologram" - believe it or not there are counterfeit Maxell batteries out there is red/white packaging - what's the world coming to when batteries get "knocked off"... jeez what a world
I had the same problem. I ended up changing to a Panasonic Battery and its lasted at least 8 months so far!
I believe you have the MB OEM battery in your key fob
I just bought a set of batteries on amazon in MB's original package and found out they are just the PANASONIC brand CR2025s which were made in Indonesia.
I was expecting the Germany battery brand - Varta.
1) MB brand battery is Panasonic brand - made in Indonesia - it is a OK CR2025 battery - OK not great - and with Keyless Go "normal" life I have seen is 6-8 months - and that is based on time rather than how often it is used.
2) one replay mentions Varta brand batteries - a original German battery brand - however here in the US the Varta CR2025 sold here I have seen are China made with zero Country-Of-Origin markings..
3) the "best" CR2025 remaning in the market is the Japanese made Maxell CR2025 - however this Maxell is also subject to China knockoff - I have attached jpg's of the correct/official Maxell hologram packaging - everything else sold/offered on the net with other packaging is junk
It's a dang shame - for such a poplular small lithium cell - very popularly used in digital watches as well - so much confusion - even knock off's...
Well I checked my packaging, red white card with no hologram, so Amazon sold me knock offs, even though the battery itself looks exactly the same as the original, down to the printed black 22 imprint.
Word to the wise, look for the hologram packaging for the real thing.
Thanks....
A follow up on this issue:
I contacted the seller on Amazon on the two types of packaging for Maxell 3V batteries in question. He states they are the exact same batteries with different packaging depending on the supplier....
Well, I requested a new package of them with the Hologram and await the results. Very inexpensive-$2.70 for 5 batteries !
Update:
I received the Hologram packaged Maxell batteries from the Amazon supplier. The battery itself now has a 54 imprinted on he positive side of the battery.
Installed, it works perfectly and the warning message has disappeared.
So, Hologram package are the real things...and inexpensive !
Sorry for the "drama" - glad it all worked out - kindof funny there is such a "Counterfeit" business knocking off the genuine Maxell - which is the best - you'll be happy !
Just replaces both key fobs batteries from the dealer. Original batteries didn't last a year and Amazon ones lasted only 1-2 months.
One reason the service dept told me is, due to keyless go it has to communicate more and battery will not last like a normal key. One more thing is I keep my key inside the house but very close to the garage. Less than 10 feet to the Car. I am not sure throughout the night it talks to the car
It all traces back to the quality of the fob battery - yes. Keyless Go has a higher drain/demand than older fob's - which again tracks directly back to a higher quality fob battery.
I have been installing fresh genuine-Maxell in all my customer new MB and CPO deliveries for over 18 months - roughly 400 vehcles = 800 batteries - and I haven't had a single customer back for "dead"fob battery yet.
So many "cheap construction" batteries that don't have the current or staying power... including the "new' Varta-unknown-country MB packaged replacement.
My service dept had held off changing over to my road - pending the "new" fob batteries late summer from MB - now that those "new" Varta fob batteries came in - and have been used for 2-3 months - my service is changing over to genuine Maxell Dec 1 - they too are are tired of this unnecessary sh*t.
For what it's worth - genuine Maxell - hologram package - Amazon or eBay..
One reason the service dept told me is, due to keyless go it has to communicate more and battery will not last like a normal key. One more thing is I keep my key inside the house but very close to the garage. Less than 10 feet to the Car. I am not sure throughout the night it talks to the car
Mine just went out after about a year. I'm sorry but I need to call bs on what the dealership has to say. I've had keyless go key fobs for as long as I can remember. All of them have lasted over 3 years before having to change out the battery. The key fob (keyless just like MB) for my Audi is going on 3 years with no issues. IMO, the MB keyless go key fob has a defect and/or it is poorly engineered.
Yes - the Keyless Go fob's do have more "draw" than the original IR/RF fob's - the Keyless fob's have both Keyless function and RF lock/unlock.
All and all in light of the higher draw of this double-function - the OE Panasonic battery/Indonesia and the "new" OE Varta battery-unknown/country are not up to the task as compared to genuine Maxell-Japan.
I agree - the "stories" "maybe your fob has been too close to the car in your gargage - I agree not to hang your main/spare key in the garage with your car.
The RF lock/unlock has a much greater range than the Keyless function - you can test at home - if where you store your key inside the house - if you can't lock/unlock with the fob buttons which is longer range RF - then your short range Keyless is not a problem storing the key there.
"Good" fob batteries are getting rarer/rarer - batteries of all ranges of lesser quality being manufactured under righteous brands in obscure areas of the world - and also this Counterfeit Battery deal is outrageous but true.
Just ordered another 500 Maxell CR2025's from Japan today - manufactured in October 2015 - black 2-digit code printed on the genuine Maxell battery represents yr/mo of manufacture in Japan - overall 5+ yr shelf life.
Yes - this battery stuff is one of my obscure/peevish obsessions..
10-27-2015, 07:25 AM
