A Delightful Rant About Fiat Panda Key Fob Replacement
Reasons Your Fiat 500 Key Fob Won't Work
A key fob for the Fiat 500 is a convenient method to unlock the doors and get started the car. There are many reasons why the fob may stop working. This could be due to a dead coin battery water damage, receiver module issues, or interference.
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Dead Coin Battery
The most frequent reason that your 500 key fob doesn't work is an inactive battery. Modern key fobs have only a limited range of operation and must be within only a few inches from the vehicle in order to work. If you are far from your vehicle when you press the key fob button, the car won't be able to respond, and will display the "Key Fob Not Detected" message in the instrument cluster.
If this occurs If this happens, replace the battery in the coin-cell (Part Number CR2032) by a brand new one of a trusted brand like Panasonic Duracell or Energizer. They can be found in your local hardware store, or on the internet.
After you've replaced the battery of your coin cell you can test it by standing close to your Fiat 500 and pressing the buttons. The parking lights should flash and the key fob should operate the lock and unlock switch.
If the fob's remote doesn't work after replacing the battery, it may have water damage that prevents it from connecting to the receiver module inside your car. Water damage can happen in a variety of ways, such as a simple splash or submerging your key fob in saltwater at the beach. If you suspect your fob was exposed to water, you can try placing it in a dry rice bag to pull the moisture out. If this doesn't work your fob is likely to need to be reprogrammed by a professional auto locksmith or by the dealer.
Water Damage
Water damage can occur if you submerge the fob in the ocean, or wash it in a washer. Saltwater can be particularly harmful to the fob's circuit board and can cause it to short out and eventually die. It's not a good thing to soak the fob in water however, don't give it up if you accidentally drop it in water or fail to take it out of your pants pocket.
First, remove the battery. Clean the electronic chip with isopropyl ethanol or a similar product and dry it thoroughly before replacing the battery. Next, test the fob to verify if it is working. If the fob doesn't work it could need to be changed. This is typically done by a professional or dealer auto locksmith.
If your key is a bit older and not programmed for your vehicle it is necessary to replace it completely. This is a simple procedure which can be accomplished by a professional locksmith for automotive use. The locksmith will need the key cut to match your car's ignition. They'll also have to reprogram the fob for your vehicle's system. This is a simple and cost-effective procedure which can be completed the same day.
fiat key fob of the main reasons your 500 key fob could stop working is because it's out of range. The remote has a range of 30 feet, which means in the event that you are far from your car it won't respond to your commands. This can easily be resolved by moving it closer to your vehicle until it begins responding.
If your fob doesn't work after you replace the battery in the coin, also called a "button", "watch" or "button" It may be due to a malfunction on the internal circuit board. Reprogramming the fob usually resolves this issue. You can find instructions on how to do this for most automobiles by searching YouTube or looking through the owner's manual.
You may have to replace the metal clips that hold the coin battery in place. If they become loose, it can prevent your coin battery from being properly seated, causing your remote to malfunction.
In rare cases the fob may be out of connection with your vehicle as a result of hardware or software problems. You can fix this issue by visiting your local dealer or auto-locksmith to reprogram your key fob. In certain instances the software may require reinstallation to your body control modules.
Interference
Interference can also cause the key fob to be unable to receive or transmit the signal. This could occur if the key fob is near an electronic radio transmitter (cell phones, radar detectors) or another source of electromagnetic radiation. Other reasons the key fob may not function may be a lack of connection to the buttons or damage to the internal chip, or water damage.
If the key fob failed to work one day out of the blue or after trying everything you can at home to solve it e.g. replacing the battery, reprogramming it and using the spare key fob, you might have a malfunctioning receiver module on your 500. The receiver module is located under the dash, and it picks up the radio frequency signals from the key fob. It converts the signals into electronic commands which are then interpreted by the vehicle.
Fortunately, there's an easy way to reset all of the onboard systems in your 500 keys, including the key fob. Disconnect the battery for 15 minutes by taking off first the negative cable, then the positive cable. Reconnect the battery. This will erase any remaining electricity, and allow you to restart the computer in your car. This could help you get your key fob working again. If the issue persists you should speak with a certified technician. They can identify the root cause of your problems.