You hit the keyless entry button on the door to unlock your 2022 Chevy Trailblazer… and nothing happens. No welcoming bleep to let you know the door unlocks, no flashes of lights. Because you’re human, you hit the button again, but still no bleep. Your Trailblazer is now as good to you as all the rest of the locked cars in the parking lot – unless you happen to know how to gain entry and start the car using the backup method Chevy thoughtfully included. This method is a little tricky but relatively easy to manage with the tool you’ll find in the fob. The next time you wait too long before replacing the battery, you won’t have to find yourself calling roadside assistance.
How to Open the Door of Your 2022 Trailblazer with a Dead Fob
Step One: Remove the backup key from the fob. Do this by holding the fob in your hand and locate the small unmarked button on the left side of the fob. You will see this button if you turn the fob to the right to look at the fob’s left edge. When pressed, it releases a metal key, which will slide out from the bottom of the fob where the keyring is located.
Step Two: Approach the driver’s door and remove the cap from the manual door lock. This is done by first looking at the door handle and finding the cap located over the right part of the handle, which will remain stationary when you pull the handle of the door. On the underside of the cap is a small rectangular hole close to the door handle. Place the metal key into the hole and gently pop off the cap – make sure to put the cap somewhere safe once removed. Under the cap, you will find a backup keyhole.
Step Three: Push the key into the revealed manual lock next to the door handle. Turning the key will unlock the door like normal. Once the door is open, you can snap the cover back over the lock. Hook the bottom side on first, and then gently push it back into place.
Starting Your Trailblazer with a Dead Fob
Now that you have access to your vehicle, it is time to get it started. Pushing the start button normally won’t do anything with a dead keyfob, and there is no hidden key ignition for the Trailblazer. However, Chevy designed a workaround into your vehicle.
Make sure you have the dead fob in your hand when you pull the door open. You need the fob inside the vehicle when you prepare to start the ignition. Once you pull open the door, sit in the driver’s seat and place the dead fob in the center console pocket behind the cup holders with the buttons facing the front of the vehicle. Now hit the SUV’s start button as normal. The Trailblazer should start right up!
Replacing the Battery for the 2022 Trailblazer Fob
Before you open your fob, take a trip to a store that carries CR2032 three-volt batteries. If you have a Walmart, Target, an auto parts store, or even a hardware store near you, any of those stores should carry this type of lithium coin battery, but if you don’t have access to a store near you, Amazon also carries them. You can expect to spend under $10. When you have the battery, you can follow the steps to replacing it.
Step One: Remove the metal key from the fob the same way you did for unlocking your Trailblazer door by finding the button on the left side, pressing it to pop the key from the base, and then pulling it free.
Step Two: Look at the base of the fob to find a small rectangular hole located in the opening next to where the key pulled out of the fob. It will be to the left of the key’s chamber if the fob buttons are facing up. Place the key into the hole and gently twist it to separate the top and bottom of the fob from each other.
Step Three: Pull the top and bottom apart with your fingers to reveal the inside of the fob. You will see the battery coin on one side of the fob; be careful not to damage the chip on the other side of the fob, and place it to the side. Using a small screwdriver or even a long fingernail, gently pry the battery out of its casing. Place it aside, so it doesn’t get mistaken for your new battery.
Step Four: Take the new battery and place it into the casing. When it pops into place, it should be flush with the casing. Now place the two halves of the fob back together and press until they snap closed again. Replace the metal key in the base of the fob, and then test the fob to be sure the battery works.
Why Your Fob Battery Might Be Dead
Most key fob batteries should last between three and four years, depending on how much they get used. If your fob battery dies much sooner than that or seems to die rapidly after you replace it, then most likely, the battery is experiencing a drain on its power. There are several causes for battery drain, but the first to consider is where you store your fob when it’s not in the car. Your fob will send a signal to your vehicle when it senses it within a certain proximity, usually between six and ten feet. Hanging your fob or storing it too close to the vehicle when you get home could be draining your battery because the fob is constantly sending a signal due to the proximity to the car.
Of course, if this is true, then it obviously isn’t a good idea to store the fob inside the vehicle when it’s not running. That will kill the battery, too. Find a place more than ten feet from the vehicle, and that may solve the battery drain issue. If that isn’t the problem, other devices in your home could be the culprits. Computers, stereo speakers, cell phones, WiFi routers, and even refrigerators all use electromagnetic activity to run their systems, and if you store your key fob near or on top of any of these appliances or devices, they could be affecting the life of your battery.
One simple solution is to make sure you store your fob in a dish or on a hook away from both the vehicle and any electronics. If that doesn’t seem to help, you might want to try purchasing a bag that acts as a “Faraday cage” and prevents electromagnetic signals from getting through. You can find these online for less than $15. Another consideration is a wireless phone charger. If you have one in your vehicle or home, make sure you never place your key fob on it. That will likely drain the battery as well.
On the subject of battery drain, it bears mentioning that if your key fob battery dies completely, your fob may need to be reprogrammed. This is a frustration and expense you want to avoid if possible, so if you happen to notice your key fob requires pressing it several times to unlock the vehicle, or you need to get right next to your 2022 Trailblazer to have the fob function, then the battery may be close to dying. Replace the battery immediately to avoid having to pay a visit to your local dealership.