How to Start Honda Accord with Key if the Fob Is Dead?

All modern Accord cars and also more expensive earlier trims of the Honda Accord have a keyless entry function and also push-button engine start. This is just a normal thing for any modern car, so we take it for granted. But the fob in such a vehicle has a lot of chances to die because it basically works all the time, even if it just rests at home while you sunbathe in the other part of the world and your cat is in the garage.

In short, you can start your Honda Accord even if the key fob died completely, just turn on the vehicle, hold the key near the start button, and then just start the car as you would usually do. This is a standard procedure for all Honda cars with push-button start and also for the majority of Japanese vehicles.

It all looks pretty simple but if you don't know how to do this, there is no way you can deduct how it should be done when you are stranded on the roadside with your key fob battery absolutely dead. After reading this article, you will have a much better understanding of how things work in the Accord engine start system and how you should use it.

Why is my Honda Accord key fob dead so often?

The battery in your key fob is working permanently. It powers the chip that repeatedly sends the signal and seeks the car that it can connect to. Once it connects, the chip starts exchanging information with the vehicle. It means that the battery in such a fob will live much less than the battery in your old fob where the car was started with a metal key that you needed to insert into the ignition cylinder.

This explains why you should change the batteries in the remote-control fob in your new Honda Accord about once a year. Also, pay attention to the fact that your second key which is hanging out at home now, also sends the signals all the time and will be discharged as fast as the main key. It means, if the main key fob battery is dead, the spare key fob battery is most likely dead too, and requires replacement.

How to open your Accord when the key fob is dead?

Have a look at your key fob. Do you see the metal key? No? But it is there! Find a little plastic latch on the back side of the key fob and slide it to the side. Then pull the metal part of the key fob that you always thought was just a decoration. You will surprisingly find out that there is a metal key that you may use to open the door when the fob battery is completely dead.

Here's how you can do this:

• First, take the metal key out of the fob.
• Now, look at the door handle. Is there a keyhole? If yes, you are lucky, you may just open the door. If not, there is a little hole in the plastic cover that is located near the handle, just on the bottom part of it. Press inside that hole with the key and take the plastic cover off. You will see the keyhole there.
• Insert the key into the keyhole and turn it clockwise. You will hear a click and the door will open.
• Now, you can get into the vehicle. If it is equipped with an anti-theft system, the alarm will start going off after about 10 seconds, so take your next steps quickly.

Using this simple method, you can easily get into your Honda Accord. But you will find out that it won't start. When you press the start button, it turns on the accessory mode and some lights are working, but the car won't start. Also, some informational messages can show up on the dash. So, what should you do further?

Starting your Honda Accord with a dead key fob battery

Now, when you are in the car, your natural wish is to start the engine. For this, you will need to follow this simple guideline:

• First of all, press the engine-start button. This will activate the system and the dash of your Honda will tell you that there is no key.
• Then, you should take your key fob and hold it near the engine-start button. It's better to touch the button with the back part of the key fob for about 3 seconds.
• After that, you will hear the beep which means your car has successfully recognized the key and is ready to start.
• Then, you need to press the brake pedal and press the button to start the engine as you would usually do on any other day.
• After that, it's important to deal with the problem of the dead key fob battery and solve the issue.

As you see, it's not that hard. In a Ford, for example, you would need to search for the key rest area or some special slot to insert the fob in. But for Honda Accord cars, it's enough to just hold the key close to the button and the system will easily recognize the key even if the battery in it is completely dead or low, or it may even be absent.

This is the important algorithm you should remember. Unfortunately, the risks of having a completely dead key fob battery are more than real. For example, if the battery is low now and then you leave it for two weak while you are going on a vacation, you will find your fob completely dead after this time.

What if this guide doesn't work with my Accord?

If your car still doesn't want to start, the problem may be not with the key but with the vehicle. The key recognition system doesn't work well or the battery is low and can't supply the system with enough power to let it function properly.

In this case, you will need professional help. Well, you can try to solve the problem by charging or replacing the 12V battery, but it will help in some cases only. If the trick with the battery doesn't work, it's a good idea to call for help. You can call the dealership and ask them to help you solve the issue. If the car is under warranty, they may even offer you free towing services and some other perks.

Road assistance is another option you can choose. While it can cost a lot of money if ordered from a random repair shop, Honda dealerships may have some special programs that help you in such situations with little or no cost. Also, your insurance company may offer some roadside assistance services.

Error messages and warning lights when the key fob is dead

Your Honda Accord may or may not show any special warning lights when the key fob battery is dying or is completely dead. Also, it may guide you with some helpful messages on the dashboard. For example, the new Accord generation will tell you that you should hold the key fob near the button to start the car.

Also, before this problem shows up, your Honda may be telling you that the key fob battery is low and it needs replacement. You can think you have a lot of time but actually no, you only have several days till the battery is completely dead.

Always pay attention to information messages in your Honda Accord. The manufacturer organized a pretty smart system that can warn you about almost any problems with the car and you can prevent them rather than solve the consequences.

How can I change the battery in the Honda Accord fob?

You can have the battery replaced in the dealership or in any repair shop but actually, this is an easy DIY task and you shouldn't pay for it.

Here are the steps you may use for this:

• Get the new battery. Your Honda Accord fob will most likely use the CR2032 battery.
• Take the metal key out of the key fob - just like I've already told you before.
• Insert the key in a small cavity on the same side of the fob that you've just taken off the metal key from.
• Twist the key a little and now you have access to the battery.
• Make sure you place the battery correctly - you should see the CR2032 on the upper side of the battery when you insert it into the fob.
• Now put it all together again and check if the fob is working now.

You will only need to get the battery. Actually, this type of battery can be bought in all kinds of shops and stores, even in your local supermarket. But you better choose high-quality batteries because bad ones will not last even half a year in your Accord fob. So, that's how it all works.

Final thoughts

I hope now you don't need any professional help when your key fob battery in the Honda Accord is dead and isn't working. After reading this article, you can easily open the door in the Accord even when the fob is dead and then start the car even in those cases when the battery in your fob is absent.

Any questions left? Ask them in the comments below!