If the remote buttons on a 2016 Honda Civic sedan work only at close range, respond intermittently, or no longer light the key’s indicator, a weak coin cell is a reasonable first check. This guide is only for the original conventional master key with an integrated metal blade, remote buttons, and a small screw in its transmitter cover. Honda specifies one CR1620 for that design. The separate Smart Entry remote uses CR2032 and follows a different opening method. A generic OBD-II trouble code does not diagnose either remote battery.
Jump to: Safety · Exact battery · Fitment · Diagnosis · Tools · Costs · Steps · Checks · FAQ · Sources
Beginner, with careful small-part handling
10–15 minutes including checks
$4–$10 for one battery
Featured battery and exact package
The featured item is the Duracell CR1620 3V Lithium Coin Battery, one-count package, Amazon ASIN B07GN2H5BS. Amazon identifies model number DURDL1620BPK; Duracell’s manufacturer page lists DL1620 and CR1620 as equivalent designations. The selected variation is Total product quantity: 1 Count, so the package supplies one coin cell—exactly the quantity used by one matching remote.
The listing’s included component is one battery pack. It does not include the Civic key, transmitter electronics, shell, button pad, small screw, screwdriver, replacement contacts, or programming service. CR1620 is a 3-volt lithium coin-cell designation; a different 16 mm cell can have a different thickness and is not an approved substitute merely because its diameter looks similar.
Check the exact one-count CR1620 listing
Amazon purchase indicator observed directly on the exact selected listing on October 24, 2026: “3K+ bought in past month.” This is Amazon’s rounded monthly indicator, not audited unit sales, Civic-specific demand, or proof that the item is globally best-selling. No current price, seller, stock, or delivery claim is made here.
Fitment: match the physical key
| Vehicle or remote | Coverage | Selection check |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 Honda Civic four-door sedan, original conventional master key | Covered | Integrated metal blade, remote buttons, and a screw-fastened cover; Honda specifies CR1620. |
| 2016 sedan with original Smart Entry remote | Not covered | Removable built-in key and a screwless case; Honda specifies CR2032. Use the separate Smart Entry guide. |
| Aftermarket, replacement, or reshelled key | Verify separately | The shell, holder, fastener, and battery may differ even if the buttons resemble Honda’s key. |
| Coupe, hatchback, another year, another Honda model, or another market | Excluded | This page does not transfer fitment or opening instructions to a similar-looking remote. |
The 2016 sedan’s 1.5-liter turbo or 2.0-liter engine, manual or automatic transmission, and front-wheel-drive layout do not select the remote battery. The physical key design and the marking on the original cell are the decisive checks. Before ordering, compare your key to Honda’s manual and verify CR1620 when the old cell is exposed.
Symptoms and diagnosis before replacement
Honda says to replace the button battery when the transmitter indicator does not illuminate as a button is pressed. Shorter operating range, intermittent response, or one remote working worse than a known-good spare also support checking the cell. Test from the same nearby location with the Civic parked, because distance, radio interference, and a door left open can change the result.
A coin cell is not a complete door-lock diagnosis. If both remotes fail at the same time, if only one door refuses to respond, or if the Civic shows broader low-voltage symptoms, investigate the vehicle battery, receiver, fuse, wiring, or door-lock actuator. If the key was dropped, soaked, crushed, or opened previously, internal transmitter damage can remain after a battery change.
There is no dedicated generic OBD-II engine code for a weak CR1620 in this key. Do not buy a scan tool for this symptom. Likewise, replacing the battery in an already registered key is not the same as adding or programming a new transmitter. If a fresh, correctly seated cell makes no difference, stop swapping batteries and have the remote and vehicle-side system diagnosed.
Tools and supplies
| Tool or Supply | Exact Product | Product Link | Purpose and Selection Check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Replacement cell — required | Duracell CR1620/DL1620, DURDL1620BPK, one count | Exact battery | Use one only after confirming the original screw-fastened key and CR1620 marking. |
| Precision drivers — required | STANLEY 66-344 4-in-1 pocket screwdriver; #0/#1 Phillips and 1/8-/5/32-inch slotted tips | Driver option | Choose only the tip that fully fits the actual screw or release point. A suitable precision driver you already own is preferable to forcing this tool. |
| Protective cloth — required | Clean, dry, lint-free cloth already on hand | No purchase needed | Wrap the small flat tip as Honda directs so it is less likely to mark the case. |
| Parts control and disposal — required | Small cup plus non-conductive tape already on hand | No purchase needed | Retain the tiny screw and immediately isolate the removed battery’s terminals. |
A power driver, torque wrench, scan tool, lubricant, adhesive, replacement seal, or vehicle-battery terminal tool is neither needed nor appropriate for this routine cell change. Do not spray cleaner into the transmitter. If the small screw or shell is already damaged, a locksmith or key-electronics specialist is a safer next step.
Estimated DIY versus professional cost
| Expense | DIY allowance | Shop or locksmith allowance |
|---|---|---|
| One CR1620 | $4–$10 | $5–$15, supplied |
| Existing cloth, cup, and tape | $0–$2 incremental | Usually included |
| Precision screwdriver, if needed | $6–$15 | Shop tool |
| Labor | Your 10–15 minutes | $10–$40 service charge |
| Estimated total | About $4–$25 | About $15–$55 |
These are U.S. planning estimates, not a current Amazon price or local quote. Tax, shipping, diagnosis, a replacement shell, electronics repair, and key registration are excluded. A shop may charge a minimum fee. Ask whether the quote is for a simple battery swap or for a new programmed key before comparing totals.
Numbered replacement procedure
- Confirm the exact remote. Identify the 2016 Civic sedan’s original conventional master key: integrated metal blade, remote buttons, and a small screw in the transmitter cover. Do not continue if yours is the removable-key Smart Entry design or an aftermarket shell.
- Set up the workspace. Keep the Civic off. Place a small cup, clean cloth, drivers, new sealed CR1620, and disposal tape on a clean dry table. Keep children, pets, drinks, and conductive clutter away.
- Remove the cover screw. Select the smallest Phillips tip that fills the recess without wobbling. Hold it square, apply gentle downward pressure, and turn counterclockwise. Put the screw directly into the cup. Stop if the tip slips or the head begins to deform.
- Open the transmitter. Wrap the small flat-tip screwdriver with the cloth, as Honda specifies. Use it only at the intended case seam and apply controlled pressure to separate the shell. Do not drive the tip toward the circuit board, scrape the contacts, or bend the plastic until it whitens.
- Verify the battery before removal. Read the designation on the installed cell and confirm CR1620. Photograph or write down which face is visible and compare it with the holder’s polarity marking. This prevents an assumption when the new cell is installed.
- Release the old cell. Use the cloth-wrapped small flat tip at the holder’s release edge. Avoid the circuit board and spring contacts. Immediately cover the removed cell’s faces with non-conductive tape and secure it where a child cannot reach it.
- Install one new CR1620. Open the child-resistant package only now. Hold the cell by its edge, align it with the holder, and install it in the same correct polarity shown by the original cell and holder marking. It should sit flat without stacking, shims, bent contacts, or force.
- Close the shell evenly. Make sure the button pad and internal parts remain seated. Align both halves and press around the perimeter until the seam is uniform. If a gap remains, reopen the case and correct the interference instead of squeezing harder.
- Reinstall the screw gently. Start it by hand with the driver square. Turn clockwise until the cover is secure, then stop. Honda does not publish a torque value for this small plastic-case screw; overtightening can strip the shell.
- Test at the parked car. Account for the screw, old battery, packaging, and every tool. With a backup access method available, test the supported buttons from nearby and confirm the indicator illuminates.
Final inspection and functional checks
The case seam should be even, the small screw secure without distorted plastic, and each button free to return after being pressed. Test lock, unlock, and trunk release with the Civic parked. Use the panic button only where it is safe and will not disturb others. Keep the mechanical key or a working spare available during the first test.
If the indicator remains dark, reopen the case and check the exact cell designation, polarity, flat seating, holder contacts, and button-pad alignment. Do not bridge the contacts with foil or stack cells. If the remote lights but the car does not respond, compare a spare remote and investigate the vehicle-side receiver, locks, wiring, fuse, or 12-volt supply as appropriate.
Honda’s battery-replacement instructions do not include a programming or relearn step for an already registered, undamaged key. Persistent failure after a correct battery installation is a diagnostic problem, not a reason to follow an unverified ignition-cycling sequence.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Confusing the two remote designs: the screw-fastened conventional key uses CR1620; the 2016 Smart Entry remote uses CR2032.
- Buying by voltage or diameter alone: cell thickness and designation matter. Do not substitute CR1616 or CR1632.
- Using the wrong driver tip: a loose fit can strip the tiny screw before the case opens.
- Forgetting polarity: record the old cell and holder orientation before lifting it out.
- Prying toward the electronics: separate the shell only at the intended seam with a cloth-wrapped tip.
- Overtightening: there is no published torque target; stop when the undamaged cover is secure.
- Leaving a loose battery: tape and contain the old cell immediately, and keep the new package out of reach.
Frequently asked questions
Does every 2016 Civic remote use CR1620?
No. Honda specifies CR1620 for the conventional screw-fastened master key and CR2032 for the Smart Entry remote. Identify the physical remote before purchasing.
Will changing the battery erase programming?
Honda’s documented button-battery replacement does not include programming or relearn. This answer assumes the original registered key is otherwise undamaged; adding a different remote is a separate job.
Can I use CR1616 or CR1632 instead?
No substitution is supported here. Similar coin-cell names can share a diameter while differing in thickness. Use the CR1620 Honda specifies and match the removed cell.
What if both remotes stopped working?
That pattern is less convincing for two simultaneous coin-cell failures. Check the vehicle’s 12-volt condition and have the receiver, fuses, wiring, or lock system diagnosed before buying more batteries.
What should I do with a leaking cell or corroded holder?
Stop routine service, avoid bare-skin contact, isolate the cell, and have the transmitter evaluated. Do not scrape the circuit board or spray cleaner into the case based on this guide.
Where can I ask about a different Civic key?
Use the Honda Civic mechanic chatroom and describe the year, body style, ignition type, physical key, and observed battery marking. Do not post key codes, VIN documents, or other security identifiers.
Sources, related Civic guides, and photo credit
- 2016 Honda Civic Sedan Owner’s Manual, version 4, printed pages 496–497: CR1620 conventional key, screw removal, cloth-wrapped small flat-tip driver, battery removal and correct polarity; separate CR2032 Smart Entry instructions.
- Official 2016 Honda Civic Sedan Owner’s Guide: exact model-year and sedan context.
- Duracell 1620 product page: one-pack availability, 3-volt lithium type, and CR1620/DL1620 equivalence.
- U.S. CPSC button-cell safety center: ingestion hazard, immediate medical attention, and terminal isolation for removed cells.
- 2016 Civic sedan Smart Entry remote battery guide — the separate CR2032 design.
- 2015 Civic sedan conventional-key remote battery guide — previous model-year application.
- Honda Civic repair-guide hub.
- Vehicle photograph: Bull-Doser / Wikimedia Commons, own work, public-domain worldwide release; existing site media ID 5812.