2009 Dodge Durango
Key Replacement - Save vs Dealer in San Diego

2009 Dodge Durango Remote Head Key Replacement - Fast, Affordable & Professional

I got a call from a guy in the motel parking lot just off Palm Avenue in Downtown IB. Construction worker, passing through, staying a few nights before heading to a site further south. His only key for the 2009 Durango had the remote buttons acting dead, and he was convinced the whole key was failing. He had already called the dealer, who told him to tow it in and come back the next afternoon.

He was not broken down. The truck ran. He just wanted his locks working again and did not want to be without the vehicle overnight.

I drove out and met him under the parking lot lights. First thing I did was pop the battery cover on the key. The CR2032 inside looked original. Swapped it with a fresh one I carry, tested all five buttons. Nothing. That told me we were past a simple battery fix.

The key itself had a crack in the housing near the blade collar, barely visible until I got a light on it. Enough internal damage to kill the remote circuit even with a good battery. The transponder side was still alive since the truck started fine, but the remote functions were gone.

I cut a new key blade on the van, programmed the transponder and remote together through the OBD port, and tested every button including lock, unlock, and the panic function. The whole job was done before he finished his phone call to whoever he was checking in with.

He drove out the next morning. The dealer quote never came up again.

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