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Reasons Your Fiat 500 Key Fob Won't Work
A key fob for the Fiat 500 is a handy way to unlock the doors and start the car. There are a variety of reasons why the fob won't work. This could be due to a dead coin battery or water damage, receiver module issues, and interfering.
This listing is for a NEW replacement Fiat Flip Key Remote that looks like the Ilco brand. It needs to be professionally programmed (click here to search for local locksmiths for automotive locksmiths). It comes with lock, unlock and trunk buttons.
Dead Coin Battery
The most frequent reason why your 500 key fob doesn't work is a dead battery. Modern key fobs offer limited operating range and must be within just a few inches of the vehicle to work. If you're far away from your vehicle and 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 happens, replace the battery on your coin cell (Part number CR2032) by a new one from a reputable brand such as Panasonic, Duracell, or Energizer. They are available at your local hardware store or on the internet.
After you've replaced the battery of your coin cell You can test it by standing in front of your Fiat 500 and pressing the buttons. The parking lights should blink and the key fob should operate the lock and unlock switch.
If your key fob still does not work after replacing the battery, it could be water damage that prevents it from connecting to the module inside your vehicle. Water damage can happen in a number of ways, ranging from the slightest splash to submerging your fob in salt water at the beach. If you believe your fob was exposed to water, put it in a rice bag to draw out the moisture. If this fails, you'll require your fob to be reprogrammed either by an auto locksmith or a dealer.
Water Damage
Water damage can occur if you immerse the fob in the ocean or wash it in a machine. Saltwater can cause the circuit board to become shorted and eventually fail. It's not a good thing to get the fob wet however, but don't give it up even if you accidentally drop the fob in the water or don't remove it from your pocket.
Take the battery off first. Before replacing the battery clean the electronic chip using isopropyl or another similar product. Check the fob again to determine if it's functioning. If the fob doesn't work it could need to be reprogrammed. This is usually handled by a professional or dealer auto locksmith.
If your key is older and has not been programmed for your car, you will need to replace it completely. A professional locksmith in the automotive industry can complete this simple process. The locksmith will require the key to be cut to match your car's ignition. They will also need to reprogram the fob to your car's system. This is a cheap and quick process that could be completed in the same day.
Receiver Module Issues
Your 500 key fob may not work because it's out of range. see post has a range of 30 feet or less, and if it's too far from your vehicle, it won't respond to your commands. This can easily be resolved by moving it closer to your vehicle until it begins responding.
If you've replaced the coin battery (commonly known as a "button" or "watch") and the fob won't work It could be because of an internal circuit board issue. In the majority of cases, reprogramming your fob will solve the problem. The instructions are available for most vehicles on YouTube or in the owner's manual.
It may be necessary to replace the clips made of metal that hold the coin batteries in place. If they lose tension, it can stop your coin battery from being properly seated and cause your remote to malfunction.
In rare instances it is possible that the fob will become 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 reprogram your fob. In some cases the software might require reinstallation to your body control modules.
Interference
In addition to a dead coin battery the key fob could not be able to transmit or receive an signal due to interference. This could happen when the key fob is in close proximity to a radio transmitter, like a cell phone or radar detector. The key fob may not function because of a problem with the buttons or 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. replacing the battery, reprogramming it and using the spare key fob, you might have a malfunctioning receiver module on your 500. The receiver module, located under the dashboard, detects radio frequency signals from your key fob. It converts them to electronic commands that the vehicle interprets.
There's a quick and easy way to reset the 500's on-board system, including the keyfob. Disconnect the battery for 15 minutes, removing first the negative cable and then the positive cable. Then reconnect the battery. This will eliminate any remaining electricity and then restart the car's computers. This could help get your key fob working again. If the issue persists, you should seek the advice of an expert technician. They can determine the root of your problems.