Alex Ruben
How To Replace the Battery in Your Hyundai Kona Key
Is your Hyundai Kona key fob not unlocking your car? Yeah, it’s pretty common. You don’t have to run to the dealership every time the battery dies — chances are, you can do this yourself, and it’s not that tricky. Grab a small flathead screwdriver and a crappy $3 CR2032 battery, and you’re pretty much set.
Gather Your Tools
Before diving in, make sure you’ve got:
- A small flathead screwdriver (not one of those big chunky ones, just a tiny one)
- A new CR2032 button battery (the classic coin-cell type, easy to find at any store)
Step 1: Open Your Key Fob
Flip your key fob over and find that tiny seam running along the middle — that’s where it’s getting split. Carefully insert the tip of the flathead at the seam near the keyring area and gently twist. Don’t go all Arnold Schwarzenegger on it — just enough to pry it open. You should hear a little pop, then it opens. Sometimes on one fob it works smoothly, other times it needs a second try after a minute of fiddling, because of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary.
Step 2: Remove the Old Battery
Once open, you’ll see the two halves of the casing and the battery sitting there. It’s tempting to yank the battery out with your fingers, but that rarely works well — especially if it’s in there tight. Instead, look for the tiny springy clip holding the edge of the battery. Use the flathead to gently lever it out, kind of like sneaking out a stubborn drawer. Be careful — if you jab too hard, the battery might fly across the room, which is a disaster, trust me.
Step 3: Insert the New Battery
Take your new CR2032 and place it in the slot, with the positive (+) side facing up. It’s really obvious sometimes, other times you miss the tiny graphic inside the fob that shows which way it goes. If your fob has a graphic, follow that. Not sure why it works, but sometimes flipping the battery works better — so if it’s not working, try turning it over.
Step 4: Reassemble the Key Fob
Click the two halves of the case back together. If it clicks without resistance, good sign. Sometimes it takes a couple of seconds of fiddling to align everything properly. On some setups it’s a pain, but patience helps. Just make sure it’s snapped tight, or the buttons might not work right when you press them.
Step 5: Test Your Key Fob
Walk closer to your Hyundai Kona and hit the button. Lights should flash, and maybe the unlock sound will beep. If nothing happens, double-check if the battery is seated correctly or if you missed a step. Sometimes it just takes a second or two of fiddling and a gentle press on the battery to get it working right. Not sure why replacing the battery sometimes triggers the fob to turn back on, but it does.
Additional Tips & Common Issues
If the new battery isn’t working right away, flip it over or try reinserting it. Also, ensure the contacts are clean and making good contact — I’ve seen cases where tiny corrosion bumps things off. Handle those button cells responsibly: old batteries go into recycling, not straight into the trash.
Conclusion
Swapping out the battery in your Hyundai Kona key fob is honestly straightforward — better than waiting around for someone to do it, and way cheaper. Just get that tiny screwdriver, a new battery, and some patience. Usually, if it’s not working immediately, it just means the contacts are a little off or the battery was inserted backwards. Keep trying, and it’ll probably work. Good luck!
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I replace my key fob battery?
Usually every 1-2 years, or when the range gets crappy and it stops unlocking or locking the car. You’ll notice the signal gets weak, which is a dead giveaway.
Can I use a different battery type?
Stick to CR2032 unless you’re okay with potential weirdness or non-compatibility. The fob’s designed for that size and model — switching can lead to trouble.
What if it still doesn’t work after swapping batteries?
Double-check the battery orientation and contacts. Sometimes, the circuit inside gets damaged or the buttons are faulty. If that’s the case, a professional look might be necessary, but most times it’s just a seating issue or a dead battery.
Summary
- Get a small flathead and a CR2032 battery
- Carefully pry open the fob at the seam
- Remove the old battery with a flathead
- Insert the new battery correctly (positive side up)
- Snap everything back together and test
Fingers crossed this helps — it’s one of those things that’s annoying until you do it, and then it’s just a quick fix. Worked for me — hope it works for you.