Is the smart key battery replaced at the yearly service for the XF?

This was listed as one of the jobs to be ticked on the customer advice sheet for my Lexus GS which had a similar key.

Hi tone
No replacement of the smart key batery is not part of a service.The system recognises if the battery has become low and will give you a message on the message centre asking you to replace the battery.

Both my keys set off the low keyfob battery warning message after 11 months. The keyfob battery is easy to change and cheap to buy on eBay.

When I got my XF (1 week ago) I asked the question about charging/docking the key as this is how my BMW charged its key.

My sales agent informed me that the battery would last 5 years, before the battery would need to be replaced.

When I got my XF (1 week ago) I asked the question about charging/docking the key as this is how my BMW charged its key.

My sales agent informed me that the battery would last 5 years, before the battery would need to be replaced.

I would inform you that the agent is WRONG.

I needed to replace mine after about 1 year, 13k miles then, and penultimateblack's change was after 11 months.

The point I was originally making, and unfortunately continue to make, is that Jaguar service is not close to companies that really try. Lexus do not need to change the battery in the key fob at each service, it definitely costs them money. But it probably means that any Lexus owner who has their car serviced at a main dealer will never be let down in a remote place by a flat key fob battery. Therefore they are giving better service.

QED.

Tony.

Refence key fobs showing low battery there is now a bulletin reference this where its been identified there is an issue with keys themselves which requires new backings for the keys.

Refence key fobs showing low battery there is now a bulletin reference this where its been identified there is an issue with keys themselves which requires new backings for the keys.

I assume the key fobs that come with 2010 cars have been modified.

So the information I have on my 2010 model could be correct..... ?

You can get them anywhere, it tells you what they are and how to change them in the handbook.

I got a pack of 2 from Argos for exactly the same price as a single one from Halfrauds, same brand and everything

Both Smartkeys are today saying low battery.

Is it likely that both would show this on the same day? Car is 18 months old.

Anyone else had issues - and do I have to go to a Jaguar dealer for the batteries or can I get them anywhere??

If you have the time I suggest you pop into a dealer and seek their view. It happened to me and at the time I called in to Jaguar Watford and not only did they swap the batteries, they also changed the entire fob telling me that it had a flaky chrome type surface which was a fault :)

The problem with the battery contacts has been mentioned HERE.

If both keyfob batteries were low & then were subjected to the cold then the battery voltage would drop enough to trigger the low battery warning. It happens to watches when the battery is low. A watch will work on a warm wrist but stop when it is taken off.

You can get them anywhere, it tells you what they are and how to change them in the handbook.

I got a pack of 2 from Argos for exactly the same price as a single one from Halfrauds, same brand and everything

Cheers - puchased 2 CR 2032's from local shop - £2.25 - fitted and all hunky dory.

Always getting the same message battery low any idea what the problem is :geek:

Battery may be low. Mine needed replacement after only three years of moderate use. The battery is a readily available hearing aid/camera battery and very easy to replace. I'd try a new battery and see how it goes.

Instructions are in the handbook on how to change it ;)

Yes that was the first thing I did was replace the battery, I even took it back to the dealers and still have the problem?

Is it the same with the spare key, if not it's the zapper, if it is it would seem to be the car that has a problem

Yes its the same with the spare key :( what do you think is the problem?

The fault is unlikely to be in both key fobs so it's a reasonable assumption that the problem is with the car. Looks like a trip to the dealer is required.

I also got the low battery warning about 2 months after getting the car. I ordered 10 batteries off of ebay and used the spare in the meantime. A few days later they arrived and it was a 2 minute job to replace the battery in the other keyfob.....now have 9 spare batteries and the cost....a whole £1.25 inc delivery !

Hi, My XF has just been in with STRATSTONE for this low battery warning problem. I was told that there is a fault with some of the key fob backs that cause this issue. I was also told that my car was on record as have being fixed so Jaguar must be tracking this. I can only think that my car only had the one key fixed at a service. Get your XF booked in and make sure you give them both fobs. These should be fixed for you with no issues. STRATSTONE were very helpful. Good luck.

Both of my fobs were updated last week. I happened to have both with me and the warning message displayed. Last time the dealer just installed a battery but that fob was in for a replacement of the peeling plastic face. Apparently new backs solves the low battery warning.

I also got the low battery warning about 2 months after getting the car. I ordered 10 batteries off of ebay and used the spare in the meantime. A few days later they arrived and it was a 2 minute job to replace the battery in the other keyfob.....now have 9 spare batteries and the cost....a whole £1.25 inc delivery !

Packs of ten CR2032's tend to be cheap Chinese batteries & they have a nasty habit of exploding.......I've seen dozens of watches succombe to these things over the years. Pay £2 - £3 for a Japanese battery with a brand you recognise such as Sony, Rayovac, Maxell, Renata etc. or risk your key fob. Unbranded batteries also have a habit of leaking whereas the premium brands carry a 'leak proof' guarentee.

just had a fiddle reassembled twice no difference, third time i could see that no way could the battery seating be the problem too secure that left the vertical contact two tiny leaf contacts teased out a bit more reassembled voila works will see if it plays up again and report back

My dealer replaced the backs of both of my fobs during a service last week. There appears to be battery connection issue.

I've found that if you change the battery you get low battery warnings,but after using for a few cycles they are perfect again. Happened to both my keys after I put brand new batteries in.

Teccy. RichardG has hit the nail on the head.

There are many threads in this forum that cover this issue. Try a search.
The problem will almost certainly (!) be the key fob backs.
If you contact your dealer they should look to replace the backs (both of mine are done now) :)
I had this issue just after buying my P&J and thought the same as you. "Not a bad seat" but a few new batteries later and with no change then had me on the phone to the dealer. They checked a log they had and knew that only one of my fobs had had a new back and so on my next visit they replaced the faulty (?) one and hay presto....all fine.
Good luck.

I have a 2010MY and have the 'low battery' warning on one of my keys. The dealers I purchased from did one fob but not the other.
I said thats ok, just send me a battery and I will replace it.
As arfryn 7 has said, I have been told to take the XF and keyfobs into the nearest dealer and they will replace backing/battery and check its programmed to the vehicle FOC under warranty.
So for many owners, its obviously a b igger issue than just a replacement battery.

I have also had the warning message "Smart key battery low". Replacement of battery appeared to have solved the problem, but it soon recurred. I then got a new key fob back and further new battery sent from my dealer, which again only stopped the message appearing for a short time, so I again opened the fob and
re-seated the battery, also very slightly bending upwards the two contacts. Frustratingly, this too only worked for a short time. My latest attempt at a cure was (from the outside) to squeeze with my fingers on the pair of parts of the fob. I did this after stopping at the roadside when the offending message was again displayed. The message then immediately disappeared and has not (yet) re-appeared.

Very timely post Harwilk, I too have just had the 'Smart key battery low' warning come up this morning, just a couple of months after both fob batteries were replaced.... Logged on to the forum and see that this appears to be an ongoing problem.

Since my last post, i have had repeated low battery warnings. I have now found that pressing either of the lock open or lock close buttons after I have had the message will make it disappear, but only for a time.
Having had a dealer supplied new back and new battery, I am wondering what I can do now.
Any thoughts?

Must be the time of year for this; mine has started giving the low battery problem, and with both fobs. (odd). Batteries are fine (checked with meter) and then replaced anyway, and the fob works from a good distance away... Going to contact dealer and see if I can get the new backs as suggested.. XF now four yrs old will I get them FOC.... let's see.

The wonders of Blu Tack! Having had the frustrating problem of spurious messages, new batteries, a new key fob back from my dealer, easing out the contact points, none of which worked, but then finding that I could produce what turned out to be only a temporary cure by pressing on some of the symbols; not having the slightest electrical knowledge,I decided to try something completely new. On examining the battery as it lay within the key, I thought that its upper surface appeared to be not completely horizontal. I then rolled out two tiny pieces of blu tack, put them in the battery recess of the key, in what appeared to be the right place(s), then gently pressed down the battery on to them. On starting the car there was no spurious message and after some 50-60 miles since, including a number of stop starts and overnight garaging, there have been no new false messages. Hooray! Maybe, just maybe, I have found a permanent remedy and instead of patenting it, I am offering it free to all you people.
(Not complete joy. I have since had another message, which might be equally spurious and has been referred to in another thread "blind spot monitor not available", which disappeared after switching off and a restart, but I fear its evil re-appearance). Maybe some genius will provide a novel solution to that one also.

not having the slightest electrical knowledge,

Nevertheless, a very analytical brain Harry, congratulations. I am sure we will all hope that you have discovered the solution that has eluded so many :)

Just picked my XF up from the body shop and the key fob battery warning light came on, probably because the fob has not been in a warm pocket for a week or more.
I searched for batteries on ebay and came up with a thread on another Jaguar forum (sorry!) which says the XJ smart keys don't work after a battery change thus necessitating a trip to a dealer.

I therefore searched this forum for the proper gen to find no reference to this problem....so I don't need to worry about my 2010/11 car key not working if I can find out how to remove the battery? Right?

The chrome sides need changing too but I can't find 'em on ebay can anyone help with this please?

Perhaps it tells you in the manual how to open up the fob but in true dumb head tradition I only resort to the instructions when all else fails!

We have loads on smartkey battery replacement including, in one of the posts, fitting instructions. Search smartkey +battery + fob :)
Start with this one http://www.xfforum.co.uk/threads/2714 here http://www.xfforum.co.uk/threads/7370 and here http://www.xfforum.co.uk/threads/3987 and elsewhere, all on this forum :D

We have loads on smartkey battery replacement including, in one of the posts, fitting instructions. Search smartkey +battery + fob :)
Start with this one http://www.xfforum.co.uk/threads/2714 here http://www.xfforum.co.uk/threads/7370 and here http://www.xfforum.co.uk/threads/3987 and elsewhere, all on this forum :D

Thanks Pekem,
Battery changed and all is now fine.
BTW the old battery measured 3.01v on a digital meter but I forgot to measure the new one but I reckon it won't be more than about 3.5v !