Key fob issue, possible dying car battery?

[fillip2k]

Hi all!

Question regarding odd issues with the key fob. So for a few weeks now I've had odd issues with the cars key detection system. I noticed when I was I giving my someone a lift home and they left the car the car would beep and the red key light would flash on the dash. I thought maybe the key fob battery needs replacing. Kept putting off because I'm lazy.. Yesterday I had issues Locking the car when I got to work so made sure to change the battery this morning in the key fob. But the car just would not detect the key fob at all. So I had use the physical key to get in. Cue car alarm going off. The car started by holding the fob up to the start button (so the RFID obviously works fine) Once I got to work the car wouldn't lock unless I used the physical key. So I'm thinking its the car battery (its the original)

I'm getting the car battery checked later at a trusted local garage about 5-ish. I just wanted to get a gauge of if that's the right ball park and getting a new battery is on the cards or if there is something more sinister at foot?

Thanks in advance for the help/advice!

[fillip2k]

An Update....


There was a label on the bottom of the CR2025 cell that I forgot to take off... Glad I gave the mechanic a good laugh to end his day on!

[HouseSpider]

Lmao. It's nice to see someone own up to their own mistakes for once & give us all a laugh.
Good on you!

[fillip2k]

I was saying to the mechanic, I was really worried, think this is gonna end up being a big bill. I've been to these guys since I moved to the area, the only time I haven't is if they are fully booked or while my CX-3 warranty was active.

He checked my car battery, told me it was solid with 102% health. He said put the bonnet down and give me the fob. So handed him the fob and he played with it didn't work. Went into the office where they showed me the little receiver device they use to test key fobs and how strong the signal is. Said its basically non existent. Asked me where I got my battery from, he said maybe I just got a duff one. So he took the battery out as it clattered on to the desk it landed backside up and the big red sticker was there taunting me with my stupidity... Totally missed it in my rush to change the battery this morning and becuase I was vexed at the stupid childproof packaging Duracell uses for the button cells.

Suffice to say, the guys had a good old chuckle (as I did too, more because I was relieved it was just a sticker and not something expensive!) Alls well that ends well

[Dogfuzz]

Very good story but my highly cautious advice would be …
Whatever the condition or performance of the key fob-change the battery once a year….
Whatever the condition or behaviour of the battery change it every 6 years. Don’t muck around.

CX3’s go utterly crazy if either of these 2 items are sniffing end of life.

[fillip2k]

Ah okay, possibly should factor in a new battery at my service soon then! I think it's still the OG battery in the car. It has no kind of branding or anything on it. So unlikely it's an aftermarket one imo.

After all the teething problems I had with my car when I got it, it's been solid since, touchwood. Hopefully I'll get a couple of year out of it and I can upgrade to a new shape CX5 when they launch!

[Dogfuzz]

Don’t worry too much about the battery brand-any independent garage isn’t going to either recomend or install the wrong one.
Key fobs? -any high street key lock, shoe repair, battery replacement place will suffice for a few £