Quick Answer
Most push-button cars still start with a dead key fob. Hold the fob directly against the marked spot on the steering column (usually a key icon), press the brake, then press start. If that fails, call 970 Locksmith at (970) 397-2002. A fob battery swap is $15–$25 flat, with no night or weekend surcharge.
Key Takeaways
- Hold the dead fob against the marked spot on the steering column, then press the brake and the start button.
- If your fob has felt weak for a month, the first cold snap can finish it, so replace the battery in the fall.
- A fob battery replacement is $15–$25 and a smart key replacement is $150–$350, both flat rate quoted by phone.
- If a fresh battery does not help, the fob may need programming or the problem may be in the car.
Can you still start a push-button car when the key fob battery is dead?
Yes, in most cases. Push-to-start cars have a backup mode that reads the fob even if the fob's radio is dead, so you can usually drive away without a tow or a locksmith. Here is the order that works for most cars:
- Get in. Most fobs hide a metal key for the door. Check your owner's manual for how to release it.
- Find the backup spot. It is usually a marked spot on the steering column, often with a key icon. Your owner's manual shows the exact place.
- Hold the fob against that spot. The car reads the fob by close contact, even if the fob's radio is dead.
- Press the brake, then press the start button. Check your manual if the engine does not start.
If none of this works, the cause may be something other than the battery. Our guide to a car that won't start even though the key works lists the other common causes.
Why do key fob batteries die faster in a Fort Collins winter?
Cold drains the small lithium cell inside the fob. If your fob has felt weak for a month, the first cold snap can finish it. That is why we suggest fresh lithium batteries in smart locks and fobs by November 1.
Warning signs often show up weeks ahead, such as a "key battery low" message on the dash or a fob that has felt weak for a month. Our winter locksmith tips for Northern Colorado cover the other cold-weather failures to check before the snow.
How do you replace a key fob battery?
Most fobs use a small coin cell (CR2032 is common), and a pharmacy sells one for about $4. Most fobs pop open with a coin slot or a small screw. Check your owner's manual for yours.
If the fob still does not work with a fresh battery, the problem is the fob itself. Water damage, corroded battery contacts or worn buttons are common reasons.
What does it cost if you call a locksmith instead?
A fob battery replacement is $15–$25 when we do it for you. A push-to-start smart key replacement is $150–$350. Every price is a flat rate quoted by phone before we dispatch, and it is the same at 6 AM, at midnight and on holidays. There is no surcharge for nights, weekends or snow.
| Situation | Typical range | What is included |
|---|---|---|
| Fob battery replacement only | $15–$25 | New battery, fob pairing verified |
| Fob shell replacement (electronics transferred) | $40–$90 | New case, your working electronics |
| Smart key / push-to-start fob | $150–$350 | Fob, cut blade, on-site programming |
| Customer-supplied fob, cut and program | $60–$150 | Blade cut and programming only |
| All keys lost (add-on) | +$75–$150 | Immobilizer reset and new fob programming |
| Cities 25+ miles away | $10–$20 added | Mileage premium, disclosed on the phone |
See our full locksmith price list for every service. Call (970) 397-2002 for a flat-rate quote before we dispatch.
When is it the fob programming, not the battery?
If a fresh battery does not help and the backup spot fails, the fob may need programming. The chip may also have failed.
We program push-to-start fobs on-site, typically in 30–60 minutes at your location, and we reset the immobilizer so a lost fob can no longer start the car. See our key fob programming page for the full list of fob types, and our transponder key page if your car uses a chip key instead.
What if the car still will not start with a working fob?
Then the problem is likely in the car, not the key. An immobilizer fault, a worn ignition cylinder or a failed ignition switch can all look like a dead fob. We run an on-site diagnostic that checks the fob battery, transponder communication, cylinder rotation and switch output. Our ignition repair page lists what each repair involves.
What should you have ready when you call?
Have the make, model and year, your exact location and a note of whether the fob is dead, lost or broken. We verify ownership before we program anything: a Colorado registration (or insurance card) with a VIN that matches the dashboard, plus a government-issued photo ID. We refuse service if we cannot verify that the car is yours.
Our average response inside Fort Collins city limits is 22 minutes from the moment you call. That is an average, not a promise. Our car locksmith service is staffed by direct employees in marked vans, 24/7.
How do you avoid a dead fob next winter?
Replace the battery before it fails, not after. A few habits help:
- Swap the battery every fall. A $4 cell is far cheaper than a morning stuck in the driveway.
- Read the dashboard warning. A "key battery low" message means replace it this week.
- Learn the backup spot now. Find it in the manual while the weather is warm.
- Keep a working spare. A spare that is programmed and tested is worth having before you need it.
More seasonal habits are in our locksmith blog.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a "key battery low" warning mean?
It means the fob battery is close to failing, often a few weeks before it quits. Replace the battery that week, because the first cold snap can finish a weak fob. If the dash says no key detected, try the backup spot on the steering column.
Do I have to reprogram a fob after changing the battery?
Not always. A fresh battery restores power, and many fobs keep working as before. If the fob does not communicate after the swap, it may need reprogramming or the chip may have failed, and we can test that on-site.
Can a dead fob lock me out of my car?
The metal blade hidden in most fobs opens the driver's door by hand. If the fob is inside the car, we can open the door with non-destructive entry. We ask for photo ID and a registration or insurance card that matches the VIN first.
Can you program a fob I bought online?
Yes. We cut and program a customer-supplied fob for $60–$150, flat rate quoted by phone. We verify ownership first with a government-issued photo ID and a registration or insurance card that matches the VIN.
Do you come to me if my car will not start at home or work?
Yes. We are a mobile locksmith, so we come to your driveway, parking lot or workplace in Fort Collins and nearby cities. A $10–$20 mileage premium applies only to cities 25+ miles away, and we tell you on the phone.
Need a locksmith in Fort Collins right now?
Flat-rate pricing quoted upfront, no after-hours surcharge, 24/7 mobile service across Northern Colorado.
Call (970) 397-2002