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Toyota Highlander Key Fob Battery Replacement Guide
How to change a dead battery in the key fob remote control of a 3rd generation 2014 to 2018 Toyota Highlander.

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2017 Highlander Key Fob
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Back Side of Key Fob
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Small Notch - Corner
This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the third generation (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 plus possibly also the 2019 and 2020 model years) Toyota Highlander SUV in changing a weak or dead battery in the key fob remote control for the keyless entry system.

Owners of other Toyota, Lexus and Scion vehicles such as the 4Runner, Avalon, 86, C-HR, Camry, Corolla, iM, Land Cruiser, Mirai, Prius, RAV4, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma, Tundra, Yaris, FR-S, xB,  xD, tC, xA, CT 200h, ES 250, ES 300, ES 330, ES 350, IS 250, IS 350, RX 300, GS 250, NX 300 and RX 350.

The compatible replacement coin cell (also known as a "button" or "watch") battery is part number CR2016.

The only tool needed to access and replace the key fob battery is a small flathead screwdriver and/or a plastic pry bar tool.



 
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Insert Screwdriver
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Pry Off Rear Cover
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Remove Remote Control
The first step is to separate the key fob from the key ring and your other keys.

Then locate the small notch on the bottom left corner of the key fob on the plastic key ring loop.

Insert a small flathead screwdriver into the notch and gently pry off the rear cover.

To prevent from scratching the plastic surfaces, you could either cover the tip of your screwdriver with a thin micro fiber cloth or use a small plastic pry bar tool instead.

Set aside the back cover of the fob in a safe place.

Pull the remote control unit out of the front half of the fob.

Avoid turning over the front half of the fob to prevent the small button pieces from falling out.

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Gently Pry Back Clips
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Loosening Retaining Clips
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Releasing Tabs & Slots
Then locate the small plastic tabs and slots along the edges of the remote control unit that secure the two halves together.

Use the blade of the small flathead screwdriver to very gently pry back the edges of the rear cover to separate the slots from their corresponding tabs.

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Continue Releasing Tabs
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Separate Two Halves
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Remove Circuit Board
Continue releasing the tabs from their slots at every edge.

Pull apart the two halves of the remote control unit's case.

Remove the green circuit board from the remote control unit case.



 

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Push Out Old Battery
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Old Battery Removed
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Panasonic CR 2016 3V
Turn over the green circuit board to access the battery holder.

Gently slide the old battery out of its socket.

The OEM battery in this 2017 Highlander was a Panasonic CR2016 3 volt coin cell.

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Slide In New Battery
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Re-Insert Circuit Board
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Line Up Back Cover
Slide the new CR2016 coin cell battery into the slot with the "+" positive side facing up towards you and the "-" negative side facing towards the green circuit board.

Try to avoid bending the metal electrical contacts.

Gently lower the green circuit board into the front half of the remote control unit's case.

Then line up the back cover of the remote control unit.

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Snap Together Rear Cover
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Lower In Remove Unit
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Remove Unit Installed
Gently pop together the two halves of the remote control unit housing until they are flush together.

Double check that all of the retaining clips on every edge are securely attached.

Lower the remote control housing down into the front part of the fob that is attached to the metal ignition key.

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Line Up Rear Fob Case
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Snap Together Key Fob
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Test New Key Fob Battery
Line up the back cover of the fob.

Gently snap together the two halves of the fob.

Make sure the two halves are flush together at every edge.

To test the new battery, stand near your SUV and press the "Unlock" or "Lock" buttons on the key fob.

If the new battery is working properly, you should see the parking lights flash and also hear the door locks opening or closing.

Be sure to record the key fob battery change in your vehicle's service records.

Please check out all of my 2014-2018 Toyota Highlander DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

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