Paul's Travel Pictures

Subaru Forester Key Fob Battery Replacement Guide
How to change a dead battery in the key fob remote control for a 4th generation 2014 to 2018 Subaru Forester SUV.

Main Menu            Home           Digital Cameras

Misc. Pictures            Articles            My Blog

Subaru-Forester-Key-Fob-Battery-Replacement-Guide-001
2017 Forester Key Fob
Subaru-Forester-Key-Fob-Battery-Replacement-Guide-002
Back Side of Key Fob
Subaru-Forester-Key-Fob-Battery-Replacement-Guide-003
Small Notch On Side
This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the fourth generation (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 & 2018) Subaru Forester SUV in changing a dead battery in the key fob remote control for the keyless entry system.

Owners of other Subaru vehicles such as the Outback, Impreza, Legacy, XV Crosstrek, WRX, BRZ, SVX, Tribeca, Exiga, Trezia, Levorg and Baja may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

The compatible replacement coin cell battery (also known as a "watch" or "button" battery) is part number CR1620.

It is available from various manufacturers such as Sony, Panasonic, Duracell, Energizer, Maxell and Phillips.

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



 
Subaru-Forester-Key-Fob-Battery-Replacement-Guide-004
Pry Apart Two Halves
Subaru-Forester-Key-Fob-Battery-Replacement-Guide-005
Back Cover Removed
Subaru-Forester-Key-Fob-Battery-Replacement-Guide-006
Remove Remote Control
The first step is to separate the key fob from the key ring and your other keys.

Locate the small notch on the bottom right side of the fob housing near the "Panic" and the "Trunk Release" buttons.

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

Insert the blade of the screwdriver into the notch located between the two halves of the fob.

Gently pry apart the two halves of the fob to separate the rear cover from the fob housing.

Carefully lift the black plastic remote control unit out of the fob housing attached to the metal ignition key.

Subaru-Forester-Key-Fob-Battery-Replacement-Guide-007
Remote Control Unit
Subaru-Forester-Key-Fob-Battery-Replacement-Guide-008
Gently Pry Back Clips
Subaru-Forester-Key-Fob-Battery-Replacement-Guide-009
2nd Clip
There are four retaining clips on the remote control unit with one located at each corner.

Use the screwdriver or a plastic pry bar tool to very gently pull back the four retaining clips to release them.

Subaru-Forester-Key-Fob-Battery-Replacement-Guide-010
Release 3rd Clip
Subaru-Forester-Key-Fob-Battery-Replacement-Guide-011
4th & Final Clip
Subaru-Forester-Key-Fob-Battery-Replacement-Guide-012
Pull Apart Remote Control
Separate the rear cover of the remote control unit housing from the front half that has the exposed buttons.



 

Subaru-Forester-Key-Fob-Battery-Replacement-Guide-013
Battery In Rear Cover
Subaru-Forester-Key-Fob-Battery-Replacement-Guide-014
Pry Battery Out of Socket
Subaru-Forester-Key-Fob-Battery-Replacement-Guide-015
Old Battery Removed
The old battery is located in the back cover of the remote control unit.

Gently pry out the old battery from its socket with your fingernail or carefully use the flathead screwdriver.

Try to avoid bending or damaging the metal electrical contacts.

Subaru-Forester-Key-Fob-Battery-Replacement-Guide-016
Sony CR 1620 3 Volt
Subaru-Forester-Key-Fob-Battery-Replacement-Guide-017
"+" Side Down - Socket
Subaru-Forester-Key-Fob-Battery-Replacement-Guide-018
Push In New Battery
The OEM battery was a Sony CR1620 3 volts lithium cell that was made in Japan.

Push a new CR1620 battery down into the holder with the "+" positive side facing down and the "-" negative side facing up towards you.

You'll notice that the old battery was coated with a thin layer of grease. This is "dielectric grease" used to ensure a reliable electrical connection and prevent corrosion. You may choose to transfer some of this grease from the old battery to both sides of the new battery.

Make sure that the new battery is fully seated into the socket.

Subaru-Forester-Key-Fob-Battery-Replacement-Guide-019
Snap Together Remote
Subaru-Forester-Key-Fob-Battery-Replacement-Guide-020
Remote Re-Assembled
Subaru-Forester-Key-Fob-Battery-Replacement-Guide-021
Lower Remote In Fob Case
Line up the back cover with the remote control unit and gently snap them back together.

You should feel or hear the four retaining clips "click" back into place.

Lower the remote control unit into the front part of the key fob housing with the buttons facing down.

Subaru-Forester-Key-Fob-Battery-Replacement-Guide-022
Line Up Back Cover
Subaru-Forester-Key-Fob-Battery-Replacement-Guide-023
Pop Together Two Halves
Subaru-Forester-Key-Fob-Battery-Replacement-Guide-024
Test New Key Fob Battery
Line up the rear half of the fob housing with the front half and snap them back together.

Make sure that the two halves of the key fob are flush together at every edge.

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

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

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

For more, please check out all of my 2014-2018 Subaru Forester DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

If you found this guide to be helpful, please consider making a small donation by clicking on the PayPal.com "Donate" button located to the right of this paragraph. Thank you!
(Note: I am not a registered charity. Donations are not tax deductible.)

Main Menu       Home       Digital Cameras

Misc. Pictures       Articles       My Blog

 

Copyright 2024 © PaulsTravelPictures.com
 All Rights Reserved ®

Paul's Travel Pictures is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Privacy Policy     About Paul & Author Contact Info