Key Fob Battery Is Depleted
The 4Runners key fob typically lasts 2-3 years. However, depending on use, the key fob can operate longer.
If the key fob battery is dead, your key will fail to unlock, lock, or start your 4Runner. If you have been using the key fob for a time, you can quickly tell whether the wireless remote controls battery has been depleted.
At the end of the batterys life cycle, the key fobs operational range will be reduced significantly because the battery will fail to create a strong electronic signal. Sometimes, the operational range will be less than 4 feet.
At the end of this article, we have given a step-by-step guide to changing the key fobs battery.
Starting The Engine With Dead Key Fob Battery
If your 4Runner has push button start/stop feature, your vehicle may not start due to weak key fob battery and a key not detected alert message may be displayed in the instrument cluster. Dont worry, you can still start your vehicle, the immobilizer is controlled by a passive transponder. Passive means, among other things, that the transponder in the key does not need its own power source.
Touch the start/stop button with your key fob and then start the engine. If it doesnt work, then look in the owners manual for exact location of key fob placement, as it may vary depending on model.
Use Obd2 Scanner For Diagnosis
Since Toyota 4Runner is equipped with on-board diagnostics , a fault diagnosis can provide initial indications of where the malfunction is located. This method will be especially useful when diagnosing a faulty remote keyless system receiver module.
To begin troubleshooting, you must first connect the diagnostic tool to your 4Runner. The OBDII connector is usually located under the dashboard. With the tool connected, turn on the ignition. Most diagnostic devices then ask for some information about the vehicle. It is important that you enter this 100% correctly, otherwise the result of the search may be inaccurate. In addition to the vehicle make, model, and engine type, you usually also have to type in the Vehicle Identification Number . Since some OBD codes are manufacturer-specific, the scanner will be able to give you more accurate information if you enter more details about your 4Runner.
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Simple Steps To Change The Battery In Your 4runner’s Keyless Entry Remote
Inside of your key fob installed coin cell battery. Remove any internal key first, and then try to pry apart the remote key fob.
Carefully try to open your keyless entry remote with hands or flat head screwdriver. Remove CR1632 battery with flat head screwdriver.
Now it’s time to install new battery in keyless entry fob’s body. Be sure to connect the battery the right way around in a circuit. Your key will not work if you connect battery wrong way.
Before assembling keyless entry fob’s case, verify that all functions works by pressing buttons on keyless entry remote.
At this point squeeze fobs back cover together. Line your case pieces together and assemble it together by hands from top to bottom. If your fob body firmly closed, we done. If not, repeat the last step.
How Can I Replace The Battery In My 2016 Toyota 4runner Key Fob

Iâve had my 2016 Toyota 4Runner for about four years. Iâve never had an issue with my key fob. But recently, Iâve noticed I canât unlock my car from a distance. Sometimes, my fob wonât work at all! Iâm assuming itâs time for a battery change. Whatâs the easiest way to replace a battery in a 2016 Toyota 4Runner key fob?
$879 a year
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Dead Coin Battery Inside Key Fob
Dead coin battery is the leading cause of key fob not locking or unlocking the doors in 4Runner. Usually there are signs of weakening battery before it gives up. If the remote was working previously, but the range of the remote was gradually decreasing until it ceased to function, this indicates that the battery was wearing out.
How Long Does The Key Fob Battery Last
Depending on how often you use the key fob or remote control of your 4Runner, the battery should last between two and four years. This is assuming the new battery you installed is healthy and its use by date is many years away.
Tip: You can try to lock/unlock your 4Runner with its spare key. It will rule out any other problem with the first key, for example, water damage.
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Water Resistant Not Waterproof
Your 4Runner key has rubber seals which prevents the water from getting to the electronic chip inside. A splash of water or brief exposure to light rain should be fine, but exposure to excessive amount of water like submerging the key in the pool can cause the water to penetrate the seals and damage the chip. Submerging the key in ocean water at the beach can be much more damaging to key fob electronics due to highly conductive nature of salt water.
Remote Connect Service Expired
Many features on the 4Runner key fob are now connected to a paid subscription named Remote Connect. With the purchase of every 4Runner, Toyota gives 1 year of free subscription to this package.
Remote Connect has the following features:
- Remote engine start.
- Remotely control windows, doors, horns, and emergency lights.
These features can also be controlled through the Toyota app.
However, Toyota has tied these features with the key fob. Thus, if you dont pay the subscription price, your key fob will stop working after the free subscription expires.
Thus if your 4Runner key fob isnt working such as remote start and stop probably its due to the subscription expiration.
Unfortunately, currently, theres no workaround. You have to pay to enable this feature for your 4Runner.
Toyota currently charges $8 per month or $80 if you pay for 12 months for the Remote Connect feature. If you subscribe to this package, your key fob will work again.
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Key Fob Not Working After Replacing The Battery
When purchasing a new battery for the key fob of your 4Runner, keep in mind that the battery may be sitting on the shelf for a long time. Therefore after replacement it may not work, or may not last that long. Try purchasing the battery from a store where stock moves fast. If you still cant get the key fob to work after verifying that the battery is healthy, your key fob issues may not be due to bad battery.
What Battery Goes In A Toyota 4runner Key Fob
Also know, how do I change the battery in my 2018 4runnerkey fob?
Likewise, does it matter what battery I put in my key fob? Most vehicle fob requires one or two lithium-ion, 3-volt coin batteries. Websites that sell replacement batteries for fob allow you to enter the make, model and year of your vehicle and order the exact battery you need for your fob .
In this regard, how do I change the battery in my 2011 Toyota 4runner key fob?
Also the question is, how many volts is a 4Runner battery? How often should you replace your Toyota 4Runner battery? Every 3 to 5 years, but you should have your battery tested frequently for drops in voltage to make sure its operating at a high level. Car batteries typically carry 12 to 13 volts unless you have a high-performance battery.AGM or Absorbent Glass Mat is an advanced lead-acid battery that provides superior power to support the higher electrical demands of todays vehicles and start-stop applications. AGM batteries are extremely resistant to vibration, are totally sealed, nonspillable and maintenance-free.
Contents
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For Vehicles With A Starter Button
There is a chip in the vehicle key. It is used to automatically deactivate the electronic immobilizer when there is a valid remote control vehicle key in the vehicle interior. The electronic immobilizer is automatically activated as soon as there is no valid vehicle key in the vehicle.
The engine can only be started with a genuine vehicle key that is coded correctly. You can obtain coded vehicle keys from an authorized Toyota dealer.
The 12v Battery Is Dead

Please check whether the 12V onboard battery in 4Runner is depleted or not. If the batter gets depleted or has low voltage, your key fob will not work correctly as the 12V battery will fail to power the necessary electronics.
Batteries with low voltage will do weird things. If your 12V battery is older than 36 months, and you are having issues starting the vehicle engine, please change the 12V battery. The low voltage is corrupting the onboard computers.
Moreover, the 12V battery terminals will oxidize over time and will fail to provide proper power to your 4Runners electronics. If you see a lot of white oxidation on the positive or negative battery terminal, please clean those with a wire brush.
Once you change or clean the 12V battery, the key fob should work without issues.
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How Do You Jump A 2016 Toyota 4runner
First connect red cable to the positive terminal of your 4Runners dead battery, then to the positive terminal of donor battery. Next connect black cable to the negative terminal of donor battery, then to the bare metal in the engine bay of your 4Runner. Start the donor vehicle and then your 4Runner.
Dead Battery In Key Fob
Dead battery is the leading cause of key fob not working in 4Runner. Usually there are signs of weakening battery before it gives up. If the remote was working previously, but the range of the remote was gradually decreasing until it ceased to function, this indicates that the battery was wearing out.
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How To Replace 4runners Key Fob Battery
Changing the key fob battery in the Toyota 4Runner is straightforward. You can do it at home, and it takes 2 minutes.
At a Toyota service center, they would charge you more than $110. Sometimes, they will ask you $550 to change the battery and reprogram it.
Items needed to change the battery
- Small Flathead screwdriver
- Lithium battery CR2032
Toyota 4Runner key fob uses a CR2032 coin battery. You can buy these batteries at a very low price at Walmart or Amazon. .
Toyota 4Runner comes with two types of key fobs
- Smart key system
- Key fob without smart key system
The following steps to replace the battery are for keys with a smart key system.
What To Do In Case Of Water Damage
If your 4Runner key fob stopping working after exposure to clean tap water or rain, immediately remove the battery and clean the electronic component with paper towel and let it dry fully before putting back the battery. In case of exposure to salt water, or soapy or dirty water, it is recommended to clean the chip with isopropyl alcohol or electronic cleaner. If the key fob still doesnt work after cleaning and drying, the chip is probably fried and you will have to buy a new key.
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