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Chevrolet Equinox Key Fob Battery Replacement Guide
How to change the battery in the smart key fob remote control for a 3rd generation 2018 to 2022 GM Chevy Equinox.

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2018 Equinox Key Fob
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Back Side of Fob
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Small Button On Edge
This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the third generation (2018, 2019 and probably also the revised or "refreshed" 2020, 2021 and 2022 model years) GM Chevrolet Equinox SUV in changing a weak or dead battery in the "Smart" or "Intelligent" key fob remote control for the keyless entry and push button start systems.

Owners of other General Motors vehicles from Chevy, Buick, GMC, Cadillac and Holden such as the Trax, Blazer, Traverse, Tahoe, Suburban, Cruze, Malibu, Impala, Camaro, Cascada, LaCrosse, Encore, Envision, Enclave, Regal, Canyon, Sierra, Terrain, Acadia, Yukon, Savana, XT4, XT5, XT6, Escalade, CTS, XTS, CT6, Astra, Commodore and Trailblazer may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

The compatible replacement coin cell (also known as a "button" or "watch") battery is part number CR2032 which is available from various manufacturers such as Panasonic, Sony, Energizer, Sony and Duracell.

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

The first step is to locate the small black plastic release button near the bottom left corner of the fob (close to the chrome silver key ring).



 

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Push In Release Button
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Remove Metal Ignition Key
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Ignition Key Slot / Opening
Push in the release button and slide the emergency / backup metal ignition key out of its slot.

Set the ignition key aside in a safe place.

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Flat Head Screwdriver
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Pry Apart Two Halves
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Gently Loosen Edges
Insert the blade of your flat head screwdriver or a plastic pry bar tool into the notch (opening) where the metal ignition key used to reside.

Very gently twist the screwdriver to pry apart the front and rear halves of the fob.

You may need to re-insert the screwdriver in several locations around the edge of the fob and pry again to fully separate the two halves.

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Key Fob Separated
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Pry Out Old Battery
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Old Battery Removed
Once the two halves have been separated you'll be able to see the remote control unit (green circuit board) and the old battery in its socket attached to the rear cover.

Gently pry out the old battery with your fingernail or carefully use the flat head screwdriver.

Try to avoid damaging the plastic pieces that secure the battery in the socket.



 

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Panasonic CR 2032 3V
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"+" Positive Side Down
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Push In New Battery
The OEM (original equipment manufacturer) battery in the fob for for this 2018 Equinox was a Panasonic CR2032 3 volt coin cell.

Push a new number CR2032 battery into the holder on the rear cover with the "+" positive side facing down and the blank "-" negative side facing up towards you.

Make sure the new battery is fully seated in the socket.

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New Battery Installed
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Line Up Two Halves
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Snap Together Fob
Line up the two halves of the fob.

Gently pop the front of the fob and the back cover together.

Check to see if the two halves of the fob are flush together at every edge.

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Slide In Backup Key
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Key Fob Re-Assembled
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Testing New Fob Battery
Slide the metal ignition key back into its slot.

You should hear or feel the key "click" securely back into place.

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

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

The fob should not need to be re-programmed. Simply replacing the battery does not clear the original programming.

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

For more, please check out all of my 2018-2022 GM Chevrolet Equinox DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

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