Do you know that one quiet evening you’re walking to your Dodge Journey, you press the unlock button, and nothing happens? The lights don’t flash, the doors stay locked, and you’re stuck outside in the cold. That tiny dead battery inside your key fob just ruined your night. The good news? You can fix it yourself in under two minutes with stuff you already have at home—no trip to the dealer, no $100 bill.
Key Takeaways: Grab a CR2032 battery, find the small slot on the back of your key fob, slide a flat tool or the hidden metal key to pop it open, pull out the old battery, drop in the new one with the + side facing up, snap the cover shut, and test the buttons. Done—your Journey unlocks like magic again.
Spot the Hidden Release Button First
Every Dodge Journey key fob from 2009 to 2020 looks almost the same on the back. Flip it over and look closely at the bottom edge—you’ll see a tiny silver button or a small seam. That’s your secret door. Some people stare at it for ten minutes and never notice it because it blends in so well.
Press that little button (or slide it if it moves) and the chrome metal emergency key pops right out. Pull it all the way out and set it aside safely. That keyhole you just revealed is actually how most people open the fob without breaking anything.
Once the metal key is out, you’ll see a narrow slot right where the key was sitting. That slot is perfect for opening the case without scratching anything. A lot of owners grab a screwdriver right away and end up with ugly marks all over the plastic. Don’t be that person. The car literally gave you the perfect tool already—the emergency key itself works great, or you can use the edge of a plastic gift card.
- Press or slide the small release on the back
- Pull the metal emergency key completely out
- Use the empty slot you just uncovered to start prying
Choose the Safest Tool to Pry It Open
Never use a bare metal screwdriver—within one second you’ll have scratches that make your fob look ten years older. The smartest move is a plastic pry tool (the kind that comes with phone screen repairs) or even the plastic edge of an old credit card. If you only have the metal emergency key, wrap the tip with one layer of painter’s tape or electrical tape first. That tiny piece of tape saves the finish completely.
Start at the slot where the metal key came out and gently wiggle your tool in. You’ll hear a soft click as the first clip lets go. Work your way around slowly—there are usually four or five small clips holding the two halves together. Go slow and steady; rushing is how people crack the plastic. The whole case opens like a clamshell once all clips release. Inside you’ll see the circuit board and a round silver battery just chilling there.
- Plastic pry tool or old gift card = zero scratches
- If using metal key, wrap tip with tape first
- Start prying in the key slot and move around gently
Remove the Old Battery Without Damaging Anything
Look straight at the battery—you’ll see it sits in a little round holder with a tiny metal clip holding it down on one side. Use your fingernail or the plastic tool to gently lift that clip just enough so the battery slides out. Some people flip the whole fob upside down and tap it on their palm—that works too and nothing gets bent.
Check the old battery; 99% of the time it’s a CR2032. You’ll see the number printed right on it. If it looks swollen or leaked (super rare), wipe the area with a cotton swab and a drop of rubbing alcohol. Otherwise just toss the old one in the trash—those coin batteries go in regular garbage in most places, not the special recycling bucket.
- Lift the small metal spring clip carefully
- Slide or tap the old battery out
- Check for the number CR2032 before buying a new one
Install the New CR2032 Battery the Right Way
Here’s the part everyone worries about: direction. The new battery must go in with the + side (the side with the writing) facing UP toward you. If you put it in backward, the fob simply won’t work and you’ll think you bought a bad battery. Line it up perfectly in the round holder, then press down gently until you hear the metal clip snap over the edge. It’s a satisfying little click that tells you it’s seated correctly.
Give the circuit board a quick look—make sure no dust or crumbs fell in while it was open. A quick puff of air fixes that. Now you’re ready to close everything up and get back on the road.
- + side with writing faces UP every single time
- Push down until the clip clicks over the edge
- Quick blow of air keeps contacts clean
Snap the Case Closed and Test Immediately
Line the two halves up perfectly—look for the tiny alignment notches so nothing feels crooked. Start at one corner and press firmly until you hear the first clip snap, then run your thumb around the edge. You should hear four or five clicks as everything locks in place. If it feels loose anywhere, open it again and make sure no clip got stuck outward.
Now the fun part—point the fob at your Journey from ten feet away and press unlock. You should hear the doors clunk and see the lights flash instantly. Try lock, panic button, and remote start if you have it. Everything should feel snappy again. If one button still acts weird, open it once more and reseat the battery—it usually fixes it.
- Line up notches, press until every clip clicks
- Test all buttons from normal distance right away
- Weak response = reopen and reseat battery
What to Do If Your Fob Still Doesn’t Work After New Battery
Sometimes the battery wasn’t the only problem. Hold the fob one inch from the push-to-start button (or insert it into the hidden slot in the steering column on some models) and try starting the car. If the Journey starts right up, the fob is talking to the car but the remote buttons need resyncing. Lock the doors with the driver’s door switch, then press lock and unlock together for five seconds—most 2009-2020 Journeys relearn the fob that way.
Still nothing? The tiny circuit board might have a cracked solder joint from years of pocket time. At that point a new fob from Amazon or the dealer is only $40-80 and takes five minutes to program yourself with two working keys.
- Try starting with fob next to the start button first
- Resync by pressing lock + unlock for five seconds
- New replacement fobs are cheap and easy to program
Final Thoughts
Changing the battery in your Dodge Journey key fob is honestly one of the easiest car fixes you’ll ever do—two minutes, five bucks, and zero tools if you’re careful. Keep a spare CR2032 in the glovebox and you’ll never get locked out again. Next time the fob starts acting lazy, you’ll smile, pop it open like a pro, and be back inside your warm Journey before anyone even notices.
| Action | Exact Detail | Pro Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Find release | Small button or slider on bottom back | Look under good light—easy to miss |
| Remove metal key | Press or slide, pull straight out | Keep it safe—you need it for emergencies |
| Pry open | Start in empty key slot | Plastic card or taped metal key = no marks |
| Old battery out | Lift spring clip with fingernail | Tap fob on palm if it’s stubborn |
| New battery direction | + side (writing) faces UP | Wrong way = no buttons work at all |
| Snap closed | Press around edge until 4–5 clicks | Misaligned = water can get in later |
| Test range | Walk 20–30 feet away and try unlock | Weak = reseat battery or resync |
| Quick resync trick | Lock doors manually, hold lock + unlock 5 sec | Works on most 2009–2020 Journeys |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it the same process for every Dodge Journey year?
Yes from 2009 all the way to 2020 the key fob design stayed almost identical. Only the very newest 2021+ models with the bigger screen sometimes have a slightly different back cover, but even those still use the hidden key slot method. If your fob has the Dodge winged logo on the front and four buttons, these exact steps work perfectly.
Can I use any CR2032 battery or does it have to be a special one?
Any fresh CR2032 from Walmart, Dollar Store, or Amazon works great. I’ve used the cheap 5-packs for years with zero issues. Just check the date on the package—batteries older than five years might be weak right out of the pack. Name brands like Energizer or Duracell last a tiny bit longer, but even the no-name ones give you 2–3 years easy.
Do I need to reprogram the key fob after changing the battery?
Almost never. The fob keeps its programming even with a dead battery. Only if you let it sit completely dead for months might it forget, and even then the quick lock + unlock trick brings it right back. I’ve swapped hundreds of these batteries and never once needed the dealer.
Is it safe to use a metal screwdriver if I’m super careful?
You can, but one tiny slip and you’ll have permanent scratches everyone will see every day. Wrap the tip with electrical tape or just use the emergency key with tape—it takes two extra seconds and saves you regret later. Plastic pry tools cost two dollars online and live in your glovebox forever.
Can the key fob get water damaged while it’s open?
Yes, so don’t do this in the rain or right after washing the car. If you drop it in water while open, dry everything immediately with a paper towel and let it sit in rice overnight. The circuit board hates moisture, but quick action usually saves it.
Do I have to take the key fob apart to replace the emergency metal key?
Never—the metal key blade is separate and just slides in and out. Some people think they lost the metal key when it’s actually pushed all the way in. Always check there first before ordering a new one.
Is it normal for the battery to die in just one year?
Not really—most last 2–4 years. If yours dies every year, leave the fob farther from the car when parked in the garage. The Journey constantly pings the fob and drains it faster when it’s close. Ten feet away makes a huge difference.
Can I change the battery if the fob is completely dead and won’t open the doors?
Absolutely. Use the hidden metal key (it’s inside the fob) to manually unlock the driver’s door—there’s a keyhole hidden under the driver’s handle cap. Pop the little cover off with your fingernail, insert the metal key, and you’re in. Then change the battery at your leisure.
