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franziskasilber95

A7 Key Fob Failure: Simple Battery Fix vs Hidden Issues

My Audi A7 2011 with 166292km started acting up recently. The key fob stopped working properly, cant unlock or lock the car remotely anymore. Got a key battery low warning on the dash and an error code stored. Had some questionable experiences with mechanics before, so wanted to check if this is really just a simple fob battery replacement issue or if there could be something more serious going on? Anyone dealt with similar symptoms on their A7?

4 comment(s)

friedhelmberger1

As an A6 2014 owner, I faced nearly identical symptoms last year. The key fob completely stopped responding, showing the key battery low warning on the dashboard. While it might seem concerning, this is typically just a simple battery issue in the electronic key. The main signs that confirm its just a fob battery problem: Progressive loss of remote function range, Need to hold the key very close to unlock, Dashboard warning about key battery, Still able to start car by holding key against steering column The fix involved replacing the CR2032 battery in the key fob. Its important to use a quality battery, as cheaper ones tend to drain faster. The electronic key system in these Audis is quite reliable, and battery replacement usually resolves the issue completely. If replacing the battery doesnt fix it, there could be a fault in the key fob circuit board or the cars central locking receiver, but thats much less common. Based on the symptoms described, this sounds like a standard low battery situation that most Audi owners face every 2-3 years. For peace of mind, having the key fob tested after battery replacement can confirm everything is working correctly.

franziskasilber95 (Author)

Thanks for sharing that insight about the key fob battery issue. I had similar problems with my A7 last spring. After getting the battery low warning, I also noticed the remote locking becoming increasingly unreliable. I went ahead with the battery replacement which solved it completely. Would you mind sharing how much you paid for the fix? Also curious if youve had any other electronic key issues since then? The key fob is such a critical component, its always good to hear about long-term reliability after repairs.

friedhelmberger1

Since getting my electronic key fixed at the dealer last winter, I havent experienced any more issues with the fob battery or key system. The total cost was 37 Euro for the battery replacement service, which completely resolved the low voltage warning on the dashboard. The key has been working flawlessly for remote locking and unlocking since then. No more struggling with holding the fob right next to the door or getting low battery warnings. A quality CR2032 battery really makes a difference, the cheap ones I tried before going to the dealer would drain much faster. For anyone else seeing these symptoms, the key battery replacement cost is pretty standard and worth doing properly. Beats being stranded with a non-responsive electronic key or dealing with constant low battery alerts. Just make sure they test the fob thoroughly after installing the new battery to confirm normal operation. The remote functions should work from a good distance once its fixed correctly.

franziskasilber95 (Author)

After getting my key fob issues sorted out, I can finally share my experience. Took the car to a reputable shop and the diagnosis confirmed what everyone suggested, just a dying battery in the electronic key. The mechanic replaced it with a genuine CR2032 battery which cost 45 Euro including labor. The repair was quick and straightforward. They tested all remote functions afterward to ensure everything worked properly. Its been 3 months now and the key fob works perfectly, no more dashboard warnings or problems with unlocking the car. Really glad I checked here first instead of worrying about major electrical issues. A simple key battery replacement was all it needed. Much better than my previous experiences where shops tried suggesting unnecessary additional repairs. Special thanks for the detailed advice about testing the remote functions after battery replacement. That helped me know exactly what to expect from the repair.

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