A Good Rant About Fiat Panda Key Fob Replacement
Reasons Your Fiat 500 Key Fob Won't Work
A key fob from Fiat 500 makes it easy to open doors and start your vehicle. However, there are many reasons why the key fob might stop working. This could be due to a dead battery water damage, receiver modules issues, and interference.
This listing is for a NEW replacement Fiat Flip Key Remote that looks like the Ilco brand. It has to be professionally programmed (click here to find local locksmiths for your vehicle). Includes trunk, lock and unlock buttons.
Dead Coin Battery
A dead battery is the most common reason for your 500 key fob not working. Modern key fobs have a limited operating range, and should be within a few feet of the vehicle to operate. If you're not close to your vehicle and you press the key fob button the car won't respond, and will display an "Key Fob Not Detected" message in the instrument cluster.
If this happens, replace the coin-cell battery (Part Number CR2032) by a fresh one from a reputable brand like Panasonic Duracell or Energizer. They are typically available at your local hardware store or on the internet.
You can test the battery in the coin-cell by pressing the buttons while you're standing close to your Fiat 500. The car will blink its parking lights, and the key fob should work the lock and unlock buttons.
If your key fob doesn't work even after replacing the battery, it may be water damage which is preventing it from communicating with the module in your vehicle. Water damage can occur in a variety of ways, ranging from small splashes to submerging the fob into salt water at the beach. If you believe your fob was exposed to water, you can place it in a rice bag to draw out the moisture. If this fails, you'll require your fob to be replaced by an auto locksmith or a dealer.
Water Damage
While the fob comes with rubber seals that keep water from the electronic chip inside and out of the ocean or washing it in a machine could cause water damage. Saltwater can cause the circuit board to short, and eventually die. It's not the best idea to get the fob wet however, but don't give it up if you accidentally drop it in water, or fail to take it out of your pocket.
Remove the battery first. Before replacing the battery, clean the electronic chip with isopropyl or another similar product. Then try the fob and verify if it is working. If the key doesn't work, it may need to be reprogrammed. This is typically done by a professional or dealer auto locksmith.
If the key is older and has not been programmed to your car, it will likely need to be replaced completely. This is a simple procedure that can be carried out by a professional automotive locksmith. The locksmith will require the key cut to match the car's ignition. They'll also have to program the fob into the car's system. This is a cheap and fast process that can be completed in the same day.
fiat keys The Key Lab of the most common reasons why your 500 key fob may stop working is because it's out of range. The remote usually has an operating range of 30 feet or less, and if it's too far away from your car it won't respond to your commands. This can be fixed by moving closer to your vehicle until it starts responding.
If you've replaced the coin battery (commonly called a "button" or "watch") and the fob won't work it could be due to an internal circuit board issue. In the majority of cases, reprogramming your fob will fix the issue. The instructions are available for the majority of vehicles on YouTube or in the owner's manual.
It may be necessary to replace the metal clips that hold the coin batteries in place. If they loose tension they could stop the coin battery from being seated properly and could cause your remote to malfunction.
In rare cases the fob might become disconnected from your vehicle due to software problems or hardware issues. This can be a major trouble, but you could frequently fix this issue by visiting an auto locksmith to have them reprogram your fob. In some instances they may have to install the software again in your body control module as well.
Interference
Interference can also cause the key fob to be unable to receive or transmit an signal. This is possible when the key fob is located near a radio transmitter (cell phones or radar detectors) or any other source of electromagnetic radiation. The key fob could not function due to a poor connection to the buttons water damage or damage to the internal chips.
If your key fob suddenly stopped working, or you have tried everything at home to resolve it (e.g. You could have a malfunctioning 500 receiver module in the event that you've tried replacing the battery, reprogramming, or using an alternative key fob. The receiver module is located under the dash and receives the radio frequency signals from the key fob. It converts the signals into electronic commands that are then translated by the vehicle.
There's a quick and easy way to reset the 500's onboard system, including the keyfob. Disconnect the battery for 15 minutes by removing first the negative cable, then the positive cable. Reconnect the battery. This will clear out any residual electricity and restart the car's computer system, which can help you the key fob to function again. If the issue persists, you should consult an expert technician. They will be able to determine the root of your issues.