Reasons Your Fiat 500 Key Fob Won't Work

A fiat 500 key fob is a handy way to unlock the doors and start the car. There are a myriad of reasons the key fob might stop working. This includes a dead coin-battery, water damage, receiver modules issues, and interference.

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Dead Coin Battery

A dead battery is the main reason for your 500 key fob that isn't working. Modern key fobs operate with a restricted operating range, and must be within only a few feet from the vehicle to function. If you're far away 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 happens you need to replace the battery of your coin-cell (Part Number CR2032) by a fresh one of a reputable brand such as Panasonic Duracell or Energizer. They can be found in your local hardware store or on the internet.

You can test the battery of your coin-cell by pressing the buttons while you are standing close to your Fiat 500. The car should blink its parking lights, and the key fob should work the lock and unlock buttons.

If your fob's key does not work after replacing the battery, it may be water damage that has prevented it from interacting with the module in your vehicle. Water damage can happen in many ways, including the simple splash or submerging the key fob into saltwater at the beach. If you believe your fob was exposed to water, you can place it in a bag of rice to draw out the moisture. If that doesn't work your fob may need to be reset by an experienced locksmith or dealer.

Water Damage

While the fob comes with rubber seals to keep water from the chip's electronic circuit it, submerging it in the ocean or washing it in a machine could cause water damage. Saltwater can cause the circuit board to short, and eventually cease to function. If you get the fob wet, it's not an ideal choice but if you drop it in a cup of water or forget to remove it from your pants pocket prior to running the washing machine, don't give up hope.

First, remove the battery from the fob. Before replacing the battery, clean the electronic chip using isopropyl or another similar product. Next check the fob to verify if it is working. If the key doesn't function, it may have to be reprogrammed. This is usually done by a professional or dealer auto locksmith.

If the key you have is older and is not programmed to work with your vehicle, you will need to replace it completely. This is a simple procedure that can be carried out by a professional automotive locksmith. The locksmith will require the key cut to match the car's ignition. The locksmith will also need to reprogram the fob into the car's system. This is a quick and cost-effective procedure that can usually be completed in the same day.

Receiver Module Issues

One of the most common reasons your 500 key fob won't be working is that it's simply out of range. The remote has a maximum range of 30 feet. Therefore, in the event that you are far from your vehicle it won't be able to respond to your commands. It can be solved by moving closer to your vehicle until it begins responding.

If your fob isn't working after replacing the battery for the coin, also called a "button", "watch" or "button" it could be due to a problem with the circuit board inside. Reprogramming your fob can resolve this issue. You can find the procedure for the majority of vehicles on YouTube or in the owner's manual.

It could be necessary to replace the metal clips that hold the coin batteries in their place. If they loose tension, it can stop your coin battery from sitting properly and cause your remote to malfunction.

In rare cases the fob might become desync'd with your vehicle because of software or hardware issues. This could be a huge trouble, but you could often fix this by visiting a local dealer or auto locksmith to have them reprogram your fob. In some instances they may have to reinstall the software on your body control module as well.

Interference

In addition to a dead battery on a coin the key fob could not be receiving or transmitting signals due to interference. This could happen if the key fob is close to radio transmitters (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 or the internal chip, or water damage.

If your key fob suddenly stopped working, or you have tried everything at home to solve the issue (e.g. replacing batteries, reprogramming or using the spare key fob, you could have a faulty receiver module on your 500. The receiver module, which is located under the dashboard, is able to pick up radio frequency signals from your key fob. It transforms the signals into electronic commands, which are then processed by the vehicle.

There is a simple way to reset the 500's in-board system, including the keyfob. Disconnect the battery of 12 volts for about 15 minutes by removing 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 can help the key fob to function again. If the problem persists you should speak with an experienced technician. They can identify the root cause of your issue.