A Productive Rant About Fiat Panda Key Fob Replacement
Reasons Your Fiat 500 Key Fob Won't Work
A key fob for the Fiat 500 allows you to easily open doors and start your car. There are a myriad of reasons the fob could stop working. This includes a dead coin-battery water damage, receiver modules issues, and interference.
This listing is for a NEW replacement Fiat Flip Key Remote - similar to the Ilco brand that needs to be professionally programmed by a local locksmith (click here for Locksmith Search). Includes lock, unlock and trunk buttons.
Dead Coin Battery
A dead battery is probably the most common reason for your 500 key fob not working. Modern key fobs come with a restricted operating range, and should be within some feet of the vehicle to function. If you are far from your vehicle and you press the key fob button the car won't respond, and will display a "Key Fob Not Detected" message in the instrument cluster.
If this happens you need to replace the battery of your coin-cell (Part Number CR2032) by a fresh one of a reliable brand, like Panasonic Duracell or Energizer. They are usually available in your local hardware store or on the internet.
After you've replaced the coin cell battery You can test it by standing near your Fiat 500 and pressing the buttons. The parking lights should flash and the key fob will operate the lock and unlock switches.
If the fob's remote doesn't function after replacing the battery, it could be damaged by water, which prevents it from communicating with the receiver module inside your vehicle. Water damage can occur in a variety of ways, from an accidental splash to submerging your fob in salt water at the beach. If you suspect that your fob was exposed to water, put it in a dry rice bag to draw the moisture out. If that doesn't work, your fob is likely to need to be reset by an experienced auto locksmith or dealer.
Water Damage
While the fob has some rubber seals to keep water out of the chip's electronic circuit it, submerging it in the ocean or washing it in a machine can cause water damage. Saltwater can cause the circuit board to become shorted and eventually fail. If you get the fob wet, it's not an option, but if you drop it into the water in a cup or fail to remove it from your pants pocket prior to running the washing machine do not give up hope.
Remove the battery first. Before replacing the battery clean the electronic chip using isopropyl or similar products. Check the fob to verify if it's functioning. If the key does not work, it may have to be changed. This is typically done by a professional or dealer auto locksmith.
If the key is newer and hasn't been programmed to your car, it will likely need to be replaced completely. This is a straightforward process that can be handled by a professional automotive locksmith. The locksmith will have to cut the key to match the ignition of your vehicle. They'll also have to reprogram the fob in the car's system. fiat doblo key is a quick and inexpensive process that is usually completed in the same day.
Receiver Module Issues
One of the simplest reasons why your 500 key fob might stop functioning is that it's out of range. The remote's range is of 30 feet. So in the event that you are far away from your vehicle it won't respond to your commands. You can solve this problem by moving the remote closer to your car until it responds.
If your fob doesn't work after replacing the battery in the coin, also called a "button", "watch" or "button", it could be due to a problem with the circuit board inside. In the majority of cases, reprogramming your fob will solve the problem. You can find the procedure for the majority of vehicles on YouTube or in the owner's guide.
It is sometimes necessary to replace the clips made of metal that hold the coin batteries in the correct position. If they lose tension, it could hinder the coin battery from sitting properly and can cause your remote to malfunction.
In rare instances, the fob may be out of sync with your vehicle because due to hardware or software issues. It is possible to fix this issue by visiting your local auto-locksmith or dealer to reprogram your key fob. In certain instances it is possible that the software will require reinstallation in your body control modules.
Interference
In addition to a dead coin battery the key fob could not be able to receive or transmit the signal due to interference. This could happen when the keyfob's location is in close proximity to a radio transmitter, like a cell phone or radar detector. The key fob might not function due to a bad connection with the buttons, water damage or damage to the internal chips.
If your key fob suddenly stopped working, or if you have tried everything at home to fix it (e.g. replacing the battery, reprogramming it and using the spare key fob, you could have a malfunctioning receiver module on your 500. The receiver module is located under the dash and is able to pick up the radio frequency signals from the key fob. It converts them to electronic commands that the vehicle interprets.
There's a quick and easy way to reset the 500's in-board system including the keyfob. Disconnect the battery 12 volt for about 15 minutes, by removing the negative cable first then the positive cable. Then, reconnect the battery. This will clear any residual electricity, and restart the computer of your car. This will help you get your key fob to function again. If the problem persists you should seek out an expert certified technician. They can identify the exact cause of problems.