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key fob battery new but vehicle says weak

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dellc

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
my 2009 Toureg TDI says my key fob battery needs replacing. i replaced battery and vehicle still gives warning key fob battery needs to be replaced. i tested battery and it reads 2.70 volts. What could be causing key fob to appear weak?

any help appreciated.
 
#2 ·
Not sure what battery you put in, but a CR2032 battery (which my T3 uses) has a nominal 3.0v voltage, and at 2.7v is at less than 1/4 capacity.
Use only fresh, reputable brand batteries, not dollar store junk.
 
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#3 ·
It can happen. I purchased quality replacements for my FOBs (same as I always do) and a month later the warning was back. Bad batteries. Replaced them again and all has been well for a year now.
 
#4 · (Edited)
Your remote is very forgiving. Mine goes into angry, bitch, and complain mode at 2.95 volts. The batteries should be above 3 volts.

Re read the old threads. You want brand name 2032's in these remotes. Being in the US, I only use Energizer or Duracell 2032 batteries in the VW remote.

Yes, there is a difference. I have tried the other brands. Generic stuff usually made it 30 to 60 days. Some of the less brands would make it 6 to 9 months. I got tired of playing mess with the fracking remote battery, started using the two brands above, and get 2+ years before I need batteries again.

I don't normally notice much of a difference in batteries, but these VW remotes are picky.
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
something not right here. Battery is Eveready Energizer CR2032 brand new from Walmart. tried a different tester... it read 3.1 Volts. Vehicle says replace key fob battery. Key fob works but i continue to have orange "key light" on dash and warning message.
 
#7 ·
dellc said:
something not right here. Battery is Eveready Energizer CR2032 brand new from Walmart. tried a different tester... it read 3.1 Volts. Vehicle says replace key fob battery. Key fob works but i continue to have orange "key light" on dash and warning message.
Click to expand...
That's exactly what happened to me from Walmart. Although mine was Energizer which is the recommended brand, not Everready.

That said, voltage is not the only measure. You can have OK voltage but if the amps aren't there then the battery cannot do the work.

Just get yourself another set of Energizers first instead of worrying so much. Not like they are bank breakers.
 
#8 ·
All I can add is that the Japanese coin cell manufacturers have been very protective of the manufacturing secrets. The made in Japan batteries are harder to find, but are considered the best.

Batteries from other places such as Indonesia are considered to be pretty good, but not as good as Japan. I have used them and they are fine.

I try to avoid made in China 2032, even if they are brand name. It is not that China could not make great stuff, but that the Japanese manufacturers will not put the best stuff into the China factory, knowing that the "secrets" would be immediately stolen and given away.

I have seen brand name 2032 from all three places I have listed above.

There is a black market that sells counterfeit 2032 batteries. https://www.microbattery.com/counterfeit-sony-watch-coin-batteries

TLDR: The best 2032 will say made in Japan.
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
just to add to the confusion... i tested the old battery (replaced 3 months ago) reads 3.06 volts. went out to vehicle this morning with the new energizer battery from yesterday... no vehicle warning. going to take the the advice above and "forget about it".
 
#10 ·
If your voltage is good and the warning went away, you should be fine. Sometimes it takes a few engine starts for the system to sort it self out.
 
#11 ·
We bought a new TDI back in 2014 and had the same issue. I would replace the battery and within 2 or 3 weeks would get the low battery warning on the dash. What I discovered was if the key fob was kept too close to the car when not in use the battery would drain. Maybe the Kessy system I don't know. What I do is keep the fobs well away from the car (actually in my night stand). It's been at least a couple of years and have had no more issues with it.
 
#12 ·
An interesting comment Dave33. We live at the end of a track in a remote location and security has never been a problem,therefore the key fob is always left in the car,usually in one of the cup holders, I bought my 2009 in October 2018 and have not (as yet) suffered the fate of a drained key battery so am I tempting fate? I guess that from now on I'll store the key well away from the car, although with my memory,I'll forget where I put it. Cheers all.
 
#14 ·
Hi, I had a similar experience, got my new to me R50 back in November and on principle decided I'd put new batteries in both the fobs. Having read all the worries on KESSY misbehaving I thought I didn't want to have a doubt about the fob batteries.

Away on holiday atm and kept getting "key not found" and unable to get a reliable auto opening when approaching the handle or lock with button press.

Bought another new battery (Energiser I think it was) and ever since the KESSY has behaved perfectly, in every way. So even though I inserted a new battery 6 weeks ago and it behaved perfectly THEN, it didn't last long. I think it was a generic battery and not a new reputable branded battery.

Regards

Pete


2009 R50
2007 R32
2011 Golf 2.0 TDi
 
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#15 ·
Hi guys unfortunately I've done all that, I've replaced the battery three times authorised repairer once, good for a couple of weeks then won't lock or unlock, repairer is a bit baffled as well. I thought it might be because I leave the key in the car but not the case - any other ideas?
 
#20 ·
Rifraft350 said:
Thanks for the reply mate, it doesn't make any difference if the key is in the car or not (and kept well away), batteries only last about 1-2 weeks, I've tried all sorts :(
Click to expand...
Take out the battery & measure the voltage & see if it is actually low or a false call from the vehicle. Then a VCDS scan as it may help to show what is going on. You dont say which gen of Touareg you have?
 
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