Reasons Your Fiat 500 Key Fob Won't Work
A Fiat 500 key fob allows you to easily open doors and start your vehicle. However, there are a variety of reasons the fob could stop functioning. This includes a dead coin-battery, water damage, problems with receiver modules, as well as interference.
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Dead Coin Battery
A dead battery is probably the most common cause of your 500 key fob being inoperative. Modern key fobs come with a limited range of operation, and should be within a few 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 the "Key Fob Not Detected" message in the instrument cluster.
If this happens, simply replace the battery on your coin cell (Part number CR2032) with a fresh one from a trusted brand like Panasonic, Duracell, or Energizer. They are usually available at your local hardware store or on the internet.
You can test the battery in the coin-cell by pressing the buttons while standing close to your Fiat 500. The car should flash its parking lights, and the key fob should operate the lock and unlock switches.
If your key fob isn't working 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, such as a simple splash or submerging the key fob into saltwater at the beach. If you suspect that your fob was exposed to water, try putting it in a dry rice bag to draw the moisture back out. If this isn't working, you'll have to get your fob reprogrammed either by an auto locksmith or dealer.
Water Damage
Water damage can occur if you submerge the fob in the ocean, or wash it in a washing machine. Saltwater can cause the circuit board to short, and eventually cease to function. It's not a good thing to submerge the fob in water, but don't give it up in the event that you accidentally drop it in water or forget to remove it from your pocket.
Remove see post . Clean the electronic chip using isopropyl alcohol or another similar product and dry it completely before replacing the battery. Test the fob next to determine if it's working. If the key still doesn't work, it may need to be reprogrammed. This is usually done by a professional or dealer auto locksmith.
If the key is a newer model and hasn't been programmed to your vehicle it is likely to need to be replaced completely. This is a simple process that can be completed by a professional locksmith for automotive use. The locksmith will have to cut the key to match the ignition of your car. The locksmith also needs to reprogram your fob in the vehicle's system. This is a simple and affordable process that can be completed within the next day.
Receiver Module Issues
The 500 key fob you have may not work because it's out of range. The remote usually has an area of 30 feet or less, and if it's too far away from your car it won't respond to your commands. It is possible to solve this problem by moving the remote closer to your vehicle until it responds.
If you've replaced your coin battery (commonly known as a "button" or "watch") and the fob isn't working, it could have an internal circuit board issue. Reprogramming the fob usually resolves this problem. There are instructions on how to do this for most automobiles by searching YouTube or checking out the owner's manual.
You may need to replace the metal clips that keep the coin battery. If they lose tension it can prevent the coin battery from being properly seated and could cause the remote to malfunction.
In rare instances the fob might become desync'd with your vehicle due to software or hardware issues. This can be a major issue, but you are able to usually resolve this issue by visiting a local dealer or auto locksmith to reprogram your fob for you. In certain situations, they may need to reinstall the software in your body control module, as well.
Interference
In addition to a dead coin battery the key fob could not be able to receive or transmit signals due to interference. This is possible when the key fob is located near the radio transmitter (cell phones, radar detectors) or any other source of electromagnetic radiation. Other reasons why the key fob could not function include a poor connection to the buttons or damage to the internal chip or water damage.
If your key fob suddenly stopped working, or if you've tried everything at home to solve the issue (e.g. You could have a malfunctioning 500 receiver module if you've tried replacing the battery, reprogramming it, or using a spare key fob. The receiver module is situated under the dash and is able to pick up the radio frequency signals from the key fob. It converts the signals into electronic commands that are then processed by the vehicle.
Fortunately, there's an easy method to reset all of the onboard systems in your 500, including the key fob. Disconnect the 12 volt battery for about 15 minutes by removing the negative cable first then the positive cable. Then reconnect the battery. This will remove any remaining electric current, and also restart the computer of your car. This could help you get your key fob to function again. If the issue continues, you should consult an experienced technician. They will be able to identify the root cause of any problems.