Fiat Panda Key Fob Replacement

replacement fiat 500 key fob Panda keyfobs are equipped with a transponder which transmits an indication from the fob to the car to unlock doors or turn on the motor. The fob can stop functioning for a variety of reasons.

A dead battery for the coin is the most common reason for malfunctioning keys. Other causes are water damage or a damaged module and interference signals.

Dead Coin Battery

Replace the battery in case your key fob has gone out of service. Choose a button battery with the same voltage, size and specification as your old one.

If the key fob was exposed to water (such as rain or saltwater at the beach) it should be cleaned before being used again. The best way to do this is using an old towel soaked in isopropyl or an electronic cleaner.

If the key fob is not working despite being not exposed to water, it could be due to a malfunction in the receiver module or an internal electronic chip. In these instances it is possible to re-programme the key fob with an OBDII scanner might assist.

Water Damage

If your key fob has taken submerged in a puddle or pool or walked through the washing machine, it could have some water damage. It's usually possible to restore it's functionality by taking the battery off and cleaning the circuit board with isopropyl alcohol. It's best to allow the fob to dry completely prior to installing a new battery.

You could have a damaged module when your key fob ceases working after replacing the battery or replacing it with. You can find information on changing the programming of most remote keys on YouTube or in your owner's manual. You could also try resetting the car's computer onboard using the OBDII scan tool.

Faulty Receiver Module

The key fob contains a chip that communicates with the vehicle's system. The chip will stop sending and receiving signals to the car if damaged. Dropping the key fob can cause this, as can exposure to water. If your key fob stopped functioning due to water exposure, you may be able to fix it if clean the chip using electronic cleaner or isopropylethanol.

If the key fob does not respond to cleaning, it's likely that the module is in an issue and should be replaced. A damaged receiver can cause the key to cease to function. This is usually due to electromagnetic interference.

Faulty electronic chip

The electronic chip in the key fob is an important part of the anti-theft system in your vehicle. It sends a signal to the immobiliser inside your car to determine whether the key is genuine. If the chip is damaged or broken, the car will not start.

A defective chip can be caused by interference signals from other objects such as weather conditions, objects or transmitters operating on the same frequency near your vehicle. In this case you'll require a new key fob.

Contacts for the battery that are defective

The battery contacts on the fob's battery can be damaged by heavy usage. If they're damaged or bent, the key fob won't send any signals to the receiver modules inside the car.

Modern fobs feature rubber seals to keep out water. Submerging them in water, even if just a light drizzle or splash can harm the chip's electronic components.

The key fob contains chip that communicates with the immobilizer system of the vehicle in order to start it. The system uses the old red keys in older vehicles, or the cryptocoding system that is used in newer vehicles. This chip will need to be changed if it is faulty.

A faulty 12 Volt battery

A damaged battery can cause the key fob to cease to function. The car's system will not recognize the remote if this occurs.

Before you replace the battery, test it with a voltmeter to determine its capacity. A fully charged battery should read 12.6 volts. If the reading drops significantly then it's time to replace the battery.

Place an electrical load for a short time on the battery to check its capacity. This will remove approximately 1% of the surface charge. Then measure the voltage again. The higher the capacity of the battery and the longer it can keep its voltage. Ideal is that it stays close to 12 volts during several minutes.

Radio Signal Faulty Radio Signal

This is the most common cause of a key fob that stops sending signals to the car. This issue can be resolved by replacing the battery. But, it is essential to purchase a battery with the same voltage and size as the original.

Fobs can take a lot abuse, and they aren't indestructible. Contacts on batteries and buttons can be damaged through rough handling.

Other transmitters or objects using the same frequency could also interfere with the signal. A light-control panel at your home, for instance can interfere with key fobs which use the same bandwidth. This could affect the remote control of your car.

Faulty OBDII scan tool

There are many reasons scanners don't perform. Some are more complex than others.

Professional scan tools allow mechanics to look over the car's networks and run a variety of self-tests. These tools can save time, but they are costly and not accessible to most DIYers.

If your OBD2 scanner doesn't work, check the voltage on terminal 16 (scan tool power) and terminal 4 (chassis ground). If they're both in good shape, it's likely that a fuse is blowing. This is the most typical reason for failures of the scanner. The simple fix is usually to replace the fuse that is blowing up.