You open a Honda smart key fob with the emergency key and a coin, not with a screwdriver. The shell is two plastic halves with thin hooks. A metal blade breaks those hooks, and then the battery job becomes a new fob. Older flip keys and remote heads are a different object. They usually have a screw.
The battery, stated plainly
| What this page covers | how to open a honda key fob |
|---|---|
| Battery to buy | You only need to see the cell |
| Fob you are likely holding | Smart key or flip remote |
| Cell type | 3-volt lithium coin cell. Do not use a rechargeable LIR cell. |
| Programming after the swap | Not required when you only change the battery. |
On a proximity fob, find the small latch and slide the metal emergency key out. Look into the slot it left. There is a notch in the seam. Set a quarter, a toonie, or a one-euro coin in the notch and twist. The halves separate. Do not twist at a random point on the seam. The notch is the designed point. Other points snap the plastic.
Keep the rubber button mat on the button half. If it falls out, note which way the little pegs faced before you set it back. A flipped mat is why buttons feel dead after a careful battery swap. The circuit board stays in one half. You do not need to remove it to change the cell.
On a flip key, hunt for a Phillips screw before you twist anything. It may sit under a small cover or beside the key ring. If you see no screw, the battery door slides. Prying a slide with a coin cracks it. These older remotes are the ones that usually hold a CR1616, and the cover is part of the water seal.
UK, European, and Australian fobs often have fewer buttons and the same opening idea. A power-tailgate button does not add a second seam. Heat-warped shells from a dashboard are the ones that fight you. If the coin will not start the split, do not escalate to a knife. A dealer can open a warped shell without you buying a whole key.
Changing the cell
Work over a tray. Pocket the emergency key before the shell is in two pieces. When you are done, click both sides fully and slide the key back in. A gap along the seam means it is not closed, and an open seam lets the next rain in.
Related guides
- How to Replace a Honda Key Fob Battery
- Honda Smart Key vs Flip Key Battery
- Honda Key Fob CR1616 Battery
- Honda Key Fob Battery Polarity
Questions people ask
Where is the slot to open a Honda key fob?
In the opening left when you slide the emergency metal key out. Twist a coin there.
Can I pry it with a flat screwdriver?
You can, and you will likely break a hook. Use a coin on smart fobs and the proper screw on flip keys.
My fob has no removable key. How does it open?
You may have an older remote head. Look for a screw or a sliding door instead of a coin notch.
Honda is a trademark of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Honda Key Fob Battery is an independent guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Honda. The code printed on the cell already in your fob overrides any chart. A fob bought later, or a car sold in another country, can use a different shell.