As cars, trucks, and SUVs become more and more advanced, things become harder and harder to replace for the average person. For example, cars are becoming keyless and have a button that is used to start them. Now, you might be among the many that need to find a Chevy dealer near you when something goes wrong because most of the parts no longer have a simple fix. But what do you do when you can’t get to a mechanic or dealer right away when your transmitter battery dies, and you can’t unlock your car with the push of a button? And how are you going to start the car when that key fob needs to be both working and in your vehicle to start it?
If you have the 2020 Chevy Equinox, then you have the convenient keyless ignition and entry system. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about this handy system, including how to start the Equinox with a low transmitter battery, how to change the battery, and how to replace the battery. While a lot of the technology in your vehicle can be quite complicated, this is something you can take care of yourself without having to get your vehicle to a mechanic.
Start the Equinox with a Low Transmitter Battery
The new 2020 Chevrolet Equinox is available in four trim levels known as L, LS, LT, and Premier. Each one comes with keyless ignition and entry technology to make your morning a little easier. You no longer have to fumble about searching for your keys when you’re in a hurry. As long as the key fob is on you somewhere, the vehicle will unlock and start. You can keep the key fob in your pocket, backpack, or purse.
So, what do you do if the battery is low on the key transmitter? Don’t worry. If you try to turn your car on and the driver information center displays a message reading “No Remote Detected” or “No Remote Key Was Detected Place Key In Transmitter Pocket Then Start Your Vehicle,” that means that your transmitter battery is low. You can still start the vehicle, but you’ll need to follow a few easy steps first.
Place the transmitter (key fob) into the cupholder located in the central area of the cabin. With the Equinox in Park (P) or Neutral (N), press the brake pedal and push the Engine Start/Stop button. The vehicle’s engine should switch on at this point.
Changing the Battery in the Transmitter
Now that you’ve been alerted to the low transmitter battery, you should plan to replace the battery soon. The Equinox’s driver information center may also display a message that says “Replace Battery In Remote Key.” No one wants to be locked out of their vehicle or be late for work because they couldn’t get it started due to a dead key battery.
Before you begin the battery replacement process, please be aware of the delicate electrical system inside the key fob. Please do not touch any of the circuitry inside the transmitter once you open it. Static electricity can damage the circuitry inside the transmitter. This battery is not rechargeable, so you certainly don’t want to damage it in any way.
To open the key fob up and expose the battery compartment, you need to press the button on the side of the key transmitter. This will allow you to remove the key portion of the device. Please do not try to remove the key without pushing the button first. This can seriously damage the transmitter.
Now that the key is removed and out of the way, you will need to separate the two halves of the transmitter. You can do this by inserting a flat tool (such as a flathead screwdriver) into the section near the key slot. The device should pop open, revealing the small, circular battery and other internal components.
To take the dead battery out, push on it and slide it down towards the bottom section of the transmitter. Then you can replace it with a brand new battery. Please remember that the positive side should lay facing the back cover of the device. To ensure that it is securely in position, push down on the new battery until it is held firmly in its place.
Next, reconnect the two halves of the transmitter by simply snapping them back into place. Reinsert the key into its designated slot, and you should be good to go.
What Type of Battery Does the Transmitter Take
The battery you need for this system looks like a common watch battery. That’s because it is. The 2020 Chevy Equinox needs a CR2032 battery or an equivalent for the keyless ignition/entry system to work properly. This is a 3-volt lithium coin cell battery that measures 0.8-inches in diameter and is only 0.1-inches thick.
This single-use battery typically comes in a pack of at least four and lasts for about eight years. So, you won’t have to change out the battery on your key transmitter very often. These batteries can also be used for watches, smart TV remotes, calculators, and small electronics.
Various brands may offer the same type of battery coined under a different name. If you find a CR2032-1W (Rayovac), DL2032 (Duracell), or ECR2032 (Energizer), these are the equivalents to the CR2032 battery.
The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox
As a compact crossover with seating for five people, the new 2020 Chevrolet Equinox is quite a competent competitor in an oversaturated market. Available in four trims, this beauty has plenty of high-tech gadgets to make your experience on the roads much more pleasant.
Two powertrains are offered with this model. The standard is a turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Together, they can get up to 170 hp and 203 lb-ft of torque. The second option is a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine paired with a smooth-shifting 9-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain generates 252 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. Either engine can be equipped with FWD or AWD on all trims levels except the base L model.
This vehicle is well-equipped on all trims, including the L, which features advanced technology such as a 4G LTE Wifi hotspot. You can stay connected everywhere you go. It also comes with an infotainment interface displayed on a large 7-inch touchscreen. This system operates with Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for everything from hands-free phone calls to seamless app/audio integration. Needless to say, you don’t want to lose access to all of these amazing features simply because the battery died on your key fob.
So, if you notice the low battery notification on your driver information center that we mentioned earlier in this article, do yourself a favor and find a replacement battery as soon as possible.