Hi,
I've got a 97 Camry and the battery in the key fob has died. How do I replace it?

I'm having trouble even getting the thing open, I've managed to pry a screwdriver in, but I'm worried just forcing it apart will break it.

Cheers,
Peter

 

Smart Key or regular key?

 

does the duplicate work on that???it seem that its totally shut down!!!

 

How do i tell the difference? the fob and the key are 2 separate bits.

 

Not sure on your unit.

These units typically have a two piece case that snaps together. The back and front half of the cases are gentle pried apart, held together by a couple of plastic snaps built into the circumference of the case. This allows access to the battery.

If the battery is removed or replaced the FOB may or may not be required to re-recognized by the cars computer.

Perhaps someone at the Toyotanation website can give you more detailed instructions. Do a history of pasts posts at the site first as others may have asked the same question..

 

Alrighty, I got it open by applying much force. This is not something held together by plastic tabs. It was never intended to be opened, but it came apart without completely disintegrating.

The battery is soldered in. A small flat head screwdriver and about 10 minutes of effort got it out. The battery was a CR2032, 2 for 8 bucks at all sorts of places. I grabbed a couple from woolworths.

Soldered the replacement battery back in and gave it a test. No go, time to reprogram.
Get in the car, close the door, put key in ignition.

Turn key off / on / off / on / off / on
press fob button.

The indicators should flash. remove key from ignition.

Job done, working fob.

The case is of course broken, so I sticky taped it back together.

Better than the 80 bucks the key cutter wanted to charge me that's for sure.

 

Great job!

Perhaps a little super glue, model glue, etc can keep the case closed.