NEWS

Reasons Your Fiat 500 Key Fob Won't Work

A Fiat 500 key fob allows you to easily open doors and start your car. There are many reasons why the fob could stop working. This could be due to a dead battery or water damage, problems with the receiver modules, and interference.

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Dead Coin Battery

The most frequent reason why the 500 key fob won't function is due to the battery is dead. Modern key fobs only have only a limited range of operation and must be within only a few inches from the vehicle to work. If you're far from your vehicle, and you press the key fob button, the car will not respond, and will display an "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 brand new one of a trusted 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 be able to operate the lock and unlock switches.

If your key fob still does not work after replacing the battery, there might be water damage that has prevented it from communicating with the module in your vehicle. Water damage can occur in a variety of ways, ranging from the slightest splash to submerging the fob into salt water at the beach. If you suspect that your fob was exposed to water, you can try placing it in a dry rice bag to draw the moisture back out. If this doesn't work, your fob will probably require reprogramming by a professional locksmith or dealer.

Water Damage

Damage to the water supply can occur if you immerse the fob in the ocean or wash it in a washing machine. Saltwater is particularly dangerous to the fob's circuit board, causing it to short out and eventually die. It's not good to let the fob get wet, but don't give it up in the event that you accidentally drop it in water or fail to remove it from your pants pocket.

First, remove the battery. Before replacing the battery, clean the electronic chip using isopropyl or a similar product. Check the fob again to determine if it's functioning. If the key doesn't function, it may have to be programmed again. This is typically handled by a dealer or professional auto locksmith.

If the key is newer and has never been programmed to your vehicle, it will likely need to be replaced completely. A professional automotive locksmith will be able to complete this process. The locksmith will need the key to be cut to match the car's ignition. The locksmith will also have to reprogram the fob into the car's system. This is an affordable and fast process that can be completed within the same day.

Receiver Module Issues

One of the simplest reasons your 500 key fob won't be working is because it's out of range. The remote usually has an area of 30 feet or less and if it's far from your vehicle, it won't respond to your commands. This can easily be resolved by moving closer to your vehicle until it starts responding.

If you've replaced your coin battery (commonly called a "button" or "watch") and Remote Start your fob still won't work it could be due to an internal circuit board problem. Reprogramming the fob is usually the solution to this problem. You can find the instructions on how to do this for most vehicles by searching YouTube or reading the owner's manual.

You may need to replace the metal retaining clips that hold the coin battery in place. If they loose tension, it could hinder the coin battery from being seated properly and cause the remote Start to malfunction.

In rare cases the fob could be desync'd with your vehicle because of software or hardware issues. This can cause a major trouble, but you could often fix this by visiting an auto locksmith to have them reprogram your fob. In some cases they may have to reinstall the software on your body control module, too.

Interference

In addition to a dead coin battery the key fob could not be able to transmit or receive signals due to interference. This could happen if the key fob is located near radio transmitters (cell phones, radar detectors) or any other source of electromagnetic radiation. Other reasons the key fob could not function include a poor connection to the buttons and internal chip or water damage.

If your key fob suddenly stopped working, or if you have tried everything at home to resolve it (e.g. replacing the battery, reprogramming, and using the spare key fiat 500 fob, you might have a damaged receiver module on your 500. The receiver module, located under the dashboard, detects radio frequency signals from your key fob. It converts them into electronic commands that the vehicle interprets.

Fortunately, there's an easy way to reset all on-board systems in your 500 keys, including the key fob. Disconnect the 12 volt battery for approximately 15 minutes by removing the negative cable and then the positive cable. Reconnect the battery. This will eliminate any remaining electricity, and allow you to restart the computer in your car. This can help you get your key fob working again. If the problem persists you should seek out a certified technician. They will be able to determine the exact cause of issues.