2032 Li button batteries on Amazon not all created equally

C

Cropduster172

Joined
Apr 20, 2021
Messages
1,857
Location
PA & CMC, NJ
Purchased a 2022 Lexus ES 350 for my wife late last week. Everything seems to work great but was getting the low battery in key fob message after starting and the doors wouldn't lock when you touch the small indentations on the door handles although they would unlock when you grabbed the door handles. Perplexing.
I replaced the batteries in both fobs with these that I had bought 6 months ago: https://a.co/d/0edVsegt

Still the same message and problem.
I ordered Panasonic 2032s and replaced them yesterday.
Message gone. Door locks work fine. Lesson learned.
 
I never trust those really cheap junks. I like to buy brand name in big packs sold directly by amazon. Bought a 10 pack of energizers for I think 6.99 on sale but the panasonics were a buck less and would have been fine.
 
I've been happy with various Amazon Basics stuff so I'd try their batteries.
 
Leo99 said:
I've been happy with various Amazon Basics stuff so I'd try their batteries.
Click to expand...
All the personal batteries I buy are Amazon Basics.

For work I do buy Energizer for our digital calipers, not Duracell because of their bitter coating that doesn't play well.
 
JavierH19 said:
I never trust those really cheap junks. I like to buy brand name in big packs sold directly by amazon. Bought a 10 pack of energizers for I think 6.99 on sale but the panasonics were a buck less and would have been fine.
Click to expand...
Never had any luck buying batteries from Amazon but their own brand.
 
When it comes to these button-style batteries, I stick to well known brands: Panasonic, Energizer, Toshiba, and used to be Sony, but they got out of that business (sold to Murata). The lesser known brands are a crapshoot.
 
A quick test with a multimeter will give you a status of the CR 2032 battery's state of charge. The best 2032's will read ~3.2 volts out of the package while lesser quality ones will be <3.0 volts when new. I have had good luck with many of the China manufactured coin batteries that are rated as an Amazon Choice product.
 
For coin battery I typically only buy Toshiba, Sony, or Maxell. I don't trust any Chinese brands or American brands on those. I look at how many of them get 1 or 2 stars reviews instead of how the average reviews look like. You can flood the reviews to look good but you can't hide the bad ones if they are consistent.
 
Update.
Problem returned with the Panasonics. Was sold by the Panasonic Store on Amazon...but I'm still suspicious tha they're fakes. Bought a 4 pack of Duracells at CVS... $14...but they have shelf date stamp of May 2035 on the back. The others have no such stamp.
 
Cropduster172 said:
Purchased a 2022 Lexus ES 350 for my wife late last week. Everything seems to work great but was getting the low battery in key fob message after starting and the doors wouldn't lock when you touch the small indentations on the door handles although they would unlock when you grabbed the door handles. Perplexing.
I replaced the batteries in both fobs with these that I had bought 6 months ago: https://a.co/d/0edVsegt

Still the same message and problem.
I ordered Panasonic 2032s and replaced them yesterday.
Message gone. Door locks work fine. Lesson learned.
Click to expand...
I use Powerowl AA and AAA lithium and been very satisfied with them. I don't believe these button batteries are Li as it is not mentioned anywhere on the packaging and only has a 5 year storage life not the usual 10 year for this type of Li. For button I usually buy Energizer.
2032
 
Cropduster172 said:
Update.
Problem returned with the Panasonics. Was sold by the Panasonic Store on Amazon...but I'm still suspicious tha they're fakes. Bought a 4 pack of Duracells at CVS... $14...but they have shelf date stamp of May 2035 on the back. The others have no such stamp.
Click to expand...
I don't think the problem is with the key fob or batteries. Put a multimeter on the new Panasonic battery and see if it reads 3.0 volts. If so, the battery is good.
Cropduster172 said:
Purchased a 2022 Lexus ES 350 for my wife late last week. Everything seems to work great but was getting the low battery in key fob message after starting and the doors wouldn't lock when you touch the small indentations on the door handles although they would unlock when you grabbed the door handles. Perplexing.
I replaced the batteries in both fobs with these that I had bought 6 months ago: https://a.co/d/0edVsegt
Click to expand...
The condition highlighted above indicates a problem with the door lock actuator(s) or a bad door lock switch.
Cropduster172 said:
Still the same message and problem.
I ordered Panasonic 2032s and replaced them yesterday.
Message gone. Door locks work fine. Lesson learned.
Click to expand...
I suspect it is a sporadic problem that comes and goes. I'd focus on the driver's door lock actuator.
 
If you can pick Renata batteries, they're top notch. They use zinc powder and are paste-like on the inside, not liquid, which minimizes leakage issues.
 
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