Reasons Your Fiat 500 Key Fob Won't Work
A key fob for Fiat 500 allows you to easily open doors and start your car. There are a myriad of reasons the fob may stop working. This could be due to a dead battery and water damage, as well as problems with receiver modules, as well as interference.
This listing is for an NEW replacement Fiat Flip Key Remote - like the Ilco brand that needs to be programmed professionally by a local locksmith (click here for Locksmith Search). It includes lock, unlock, and trunk buttons.
Dead Coin Battery
A dead battery is the main cause of your 500 key fob not working. Modern key fobs operate with a restricted operating range, and must be within some feet of the car to operate. If you're far from your vehicle and you push the keyfob button it won't respond and display the message "Key Fob Not Detected".
If this happens then replace the battery for your coin-cell (Part Number CR2032) by a new one of a reputable brand like Panasonic Duracell or Energizer. You can find them in your local hardware store, or online.
After you've replaced the battery in the coin cell you can test it by standing near your Fiat 500 and pressing the buttons. The car will blink its parking lights and the key fob should be able to operate the lock and unlock switches.
If the fob's key doesn't work after replacing the battery, it might have water damage that stops it from communicating with the receiver module in your car. Water damage can occur in a variety of ways, ranging from an accidental splash to submerging your fob in salt water at the beach. If you suspect your fob was exposed to water, put it in a dry rice bag to pull the moisture back out. If that doesn't work, your fob is likely to need to be reset by an experienced auto locksmith or dealer.
fiat key cover can occur when you submerge the fob in the ocean or wash it in a washer. Saltwater poses a particular risk to the circuit board of the fob that can cause it to short out and eventually end up dying. It's not a good idea to submerge the fob in water however, but 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. Before replacing the battery clean the electronic chip with isopropyl or similar products. Check the fob to verify if it's working. If the key doesn't work, it may have to be reset. This is usually handled by an auto locksmith or dealer.
If your key is a bit older and is not programmed for your vehicle it is necessary to replace it completely. A professional locksmith for automotive can carry out this simple task. The locksmith will need the key to be cut to match your car's ignition. They will also need to reprogram the fob for your car's system. This is a quick and inexpensive process which can be completed the same day.
Receiver Module Issues
One of the simplest reasons why your 500 key fob may stop working is because it's out of range. The remote's range is of 30 feet, which means when you're too far from your vehicle, it won't respond to your commands. You can easily fix this by moving the remote closer to your vehicle until it responds.
If you've replaced the coin battery (commonly known as"button" or "button" or "watch") and your fob still won't work It could be because of an internal circuit board problem. In the majority of cases, reprogramming your fob will resolve this issue. You can find instructions on how to do this for all automobiles by searching YouTube or checking out the owner's manual.
It is possible to replace the metal retaining clips that hold the battery of your coin in place. If they lose tension, it can prevent your coin battery from being properly seated and cause your remote to malfunction.
In rare instances the fob might become desync'd with your vehicle due to software problems or hardware issues. This issue can be fixed by visiting your local auto-locksmith or dealer to reprogram your key fob. In certain situations it may be necessary to install the software again in your body control module, too.
Interference
Interference can also cause the key fob to be unable to receive or transmit a signal. This is possible when the key fob is located near the radio transmitter (cell phones or radar detectors) or any other source of electromagnetic radiation. Other reasons the key fob might not work could be due to a weak connection to the buttons, damage to the internal chip or water damage.
If the key fob suddenly stopped working, out of the blue or even after trying every option at home to fix it e.g. battery replacement, reprogramming and using the spare key fob, you may have a defective receiver module on your 500. The receiver module, which is located under the dashboard, picks up radio frequency signals from your key fob. It converts the signals into electronic commands which are then interpreted by the vehicle.
Luckily, there is an easy method of resetting all on-board systems in your 500 keys, including the key fob. Disconnect the battery 12 volt for approximately 15 minutes by taking off the negative cable first then the positive cable. Then, reconnect the battery. This will clear any residual electric current, and also restart the car's computer. This can help get your key fob working again. If the problem persists you should seek out an experienced technician. They will be able to determine the exact cause of problems.