Out2L8

How can I change out the battery in the key fob of an 04 RX330?

The 2nd master key does not light up when the buttons are pressed, so I'm guessing the battery is dead?

AHA

Thanks

Hokielex

Check out the owner's manual - it will tell you the battery size needed and how to open the fob.

CdeFabio

I replaced mine last year after finally finding the battery at Wal-Mart. The original one lasted 5 years, the replacement, 1 year. I just took it to the dealer to get a new one, cost: $6. I would rather pay a little more and get one that lasts.

ycl1688

Find the one with lithium should last your longer.

CdeFabio

Thanks for the tip. I am pretty sure the one I bought was a lithium watch type battery. It was the Wal-Mart brand, I believe the number was cr1616 but I would need to check the manual. It was not easy to find, had to cross reference the number a few times with the book they had.

tfischer

You will need a very small screwdriver set, such as those commonly sold to fix eyeglasses. Remove the two or three screws that hold the key case together, and gently pry apart the halves. The battery sits inside and lifts out pretty easily. Take it to a Radio Shack or other store that sells watch batteries, and they will sell you the correct replacement. They are not too expensive.
A strong battery gives you a longer operating range. I replace mine every 12-24 months.
PS: on my two Lexus cars('02 and '04), the keys look identical, but have different batteries; to be safe, take the old battery out first so that you get the correct replacement.

Grumpa72

Wow! Overkill? My Lexus is a little over five years old and the original battery in the fobs are still working quite well. Really? Every 12-24 months?

kitlz

I replaced mine every 12 months too. The cost is minimal versus the inconvenience of having a non-functional key fob. Plus I had LoJack Early Warning. If the battery went on that, I would start getting phone calls to check on my car.

BTW, battery replacement is now part of service on the '10.

tfischer

It's only a bit of overkill. I used to think I'd do that every 12 months, but the batteries are still going strong at that point. Of course, usage matters also, and I do not drive my cars a lot. At 24 months, I think the effective range starts to decrease, but I could surely go 3 years or more if I wanted to.
But I don't.

howdybob22

Mine is going on 6ish and getting close to 7 and still on the original battery. However, the one on my IS350 only last like 3 years - Maybe the keyless start and entry on the IS takes more battery juice.

howdybob22

Good point, once I get the feeling of it loosing the range, I'll start changing out the batteries.

mandyfig

So is it CR1616? What numbers show up on the battery?

mandyfig

Found this:

How do you change battery in key fob of lexus rx330?

Turn key over so the Lexus emblem is visible on the back. Above where the metal key goes into the plastic is a small screw - find a screwdriver small enough to unscrew this. Once the screw is out, pull plastic backing away from metal key and up. After shell is opened, you will see the housing for battery and buttons. There are a couple of possibilities for the plastic that houses the battery:
1. The housing has 2 small screws that must be taken out in order to get to the battery. Take these out, lift off the small plastic cover, and continue to replace the battery - which should be CR2016 3V. Put everything back together.
2. The housing has no screws to take out. Instead, the housing is opened using a coin or flathead screwdriver (directions on how to take the cover off will be on the plastic itself). Replace battery and you're finished.
Once battery is replaced, make sure the battery is good by pressing the lock or unlock button and watching for the small red light to flash when button is pushed. Red light is located next to the lock/alarm button

mandyfig

CR2016 is mentioned. CR1616?

tfischer

They vary. The only way to be sure is to open it up, take a look, and get one to match. It only takes about 60 seconds, if you work slowly.