Reasons Your Fiat 500 Key Fob Won't Work

A fiat key fob replacement 500 key fob makes it easy to open doors and start your vehicle. However, there are many reasons the fob could stop working. These include a dead battery or damaged receiver module, water damage issues, and interfering.

This listing is for a NEW replacement key for fiat 500 Fiat Flip Key Remote - like the Ilco brand that needs to be programmed professionally by a local locksmith (click here for Locksmith Search). This remote includes lock, unlock and trunk buttons.

Dead Coin Battery

The most frequent reason that your 500 key fob won't function is an inactive battery. Modern key fobs have a limited operating range, and must be within some feet of the vehicle in order to function. If you're not close to your vehicle, and you press the key fob button, the car won't respond and will display an "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 brand new one of a trusted brand like Panasonic Duracell or Energizer. You can typically find them at your local hardware store or on the internet.

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

If the key fob won't work after replacing the battery, it could have water damage that prevents it from communicating with the receiver module in your car. Water damage can occur in a variety of ways, ranging from small splashes to submerging the fob in salt water at the beach. If you think your fob was exposed to water, put it in a bag of rice to draw out the moisture. If that doesn't work your fob may need to be reset by a professional auto locksmith or by the dealer.

Water Damage

The fob does have rubber seals to keep water out of the chip's electronic circuit, submerging it in the ocean or washing it in a machine could cause water damage. Saltwater is particularly dangerous to the fob's circuit board that can cause it to short out and eventually die. It's not a good thing to let the fob get wet however, but don't give it up in the event that you accidentally drop it in water or forget to remove it from your pants pocket.

First take the battery off the fob. Clean the electronic chip using isopropyl ethanol or a similar product and then dry it thoroughly before replacing the battery. Check the fob again to check if it's working. If the key isn't working, it may need to be reset. This is usually done by an auto locksmith or dealer.

If the key is a newer model and has not been programmed to your vehicle it is likely to need to be replaced completely. A professional locksmith in the automotive industry will be able to complete this process. The locksmith will have to cut the key to match the ignition of your car. The locksmith will also have to reprogram your fob into the car's system. This is a low-cost and quick process that can be completed in the same day.

Receiver Module Issues

Your 500 key fob might not work because it's out of range. The remote typically has 30 feet of range or less, and if it's too far from your vehicle, it will not 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 battery in your coin (commonly known as"button" or "button" or "watch") and the fob isn't working It could be because of an internal circuit board problem. Reprogramming the fob is usually the solution to the issue. The instructions are available for most vehicles on YouTube or in the owner's guide.

It is sometimes necessary to replace the metal clips that hold the coin batteries in the correct position. If they lose tension, it could prevent the coin battery from being properly seated, and this will cause your remote to malfunction.

In rare cases the fob could be desync'd with your vehicle due to software issues or hardware issues. This can be a major problem, but you can usually resolve this issue by visiting an auto locksmith to reprogram your fob for you. In certain instances it may be necessary to reinstall the software on 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 an signal due to interference. This could occur if the key fob is in close proximity to a radio transmitter like a cell phone or radar detector. The key fob might not function because of a weak connection to the buttons or water damage, or damage to the internal chips.

If the key fob has stopped working one day without notice, or after trying everything you can do at home to resolve it e.g. It could be a defective 500 receiver module in the event that you've tried replacing the battery, reprogramming, and using an alternative key fob. The receiver module, located under the dashboard, detects radio frequency signals from your key fob. It then converts them into 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 12 volt battery for about 15 minutes by disconnecting the negative cable first then the positive cable. Reconnect the battery. This will remove any remaining electric current, and also restart the car's computer. This can help you get your key fob to work again. If the issue persists, you should seek out an expert technician. They can determine the exact cause of your issues.