Reasons Your Fiat 500 Key Fob Won't Work
A key fob for the Fiat 500 allows you to easily open doors and start your car. There are many reasons why the fob may stop working. This could be due to a dead coin battery water damage, receiver module problems, and interference.
This listing is for an NEW replacement Fiat Flip Key Remote - like the Ilco brand that needs to be programmed professionally by a local automotive locksmith (click here for Locksmith Search). It includes lock, unlock, and trunk buttons.
Dead Coin Battery
The most frequent reason that the 500 key fob won't work is the battery is dead. Key fobs of today have an operating range that is limited and must be within a few inches of your vehicle to work. If you are far from your vehicle, and you press the key fob button, the car won't be able to respond, and will display an "Key Fob Not Detected" message in the instrument cluster.
If this happens, replace the battery of your coin cell (Part number CR2032) by a new one from a reputable brand like Panasonic, Duracell, or Energizer. They are typically available in your local hardware store or on the internet.
You can test the battery in the coin-cell by pressing the buttons while standing near your Fiat 500. The parking lights should flash and the key fob should operate the lock and unlock switches.
If the fob's remote doesn't work after replacing the battery, it could be damaged by water that blocks it from communicating with the receiver module inside your vehicle. Water damage can happen in many ways, such as a simple splash or submerging the key fob into saltwater at the beach. If you suspect your fob has been exposed to water, try placing it in a dry rice bag to draw the moisture out. If that doesn't work, the fob might need to be reprogrammed by an experienced auto locksmith or dealer.
Water Damage
While the fob comes with rubber seals to keep water from the chip's electronic circuit, submerging it in the ocean or washing it in a machine could cause water damage. Saltwater can cause the circuit board to become shorted and eventually die. It's not a good thing to get the fob wet but don't give up when you accidentally drop it in water or fail to take it out of your pocket.
First, remove the battery. Before replacing the battery clean the electronic chip with isopropyl, or a similar product. Check the fob to see if it is functioning. If the key doesn't function it could need to be reset. This is usually handled by an auto locksmith or dealer.
If the key you have is older and not programmed to work with your vehicle, you will need to replace it completely. This is a simple procedure that can be completed by a professional locksmith for automotive use. The locksmith will need the key cut to match your vehicle's ignition. They will also need to reprogram the fob in the system of your car. This is a cheap and quick process that could be completed in the same day.
Receiver Module Issues
The 500 key fob you have may not function 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 won't respond to your commands. It's easy to remedy this by moving your remote closer to your car until it responds.
If you've replaced the coin battery (commonly known as a "button" or "watch") and your fob doesn't function, it could have an internal circuit board problem. Reprogramming the fob is usually the solution to this problem. The instructions are available for most vehicles on YouTube or in the owner's guide.
You may have to replace the metal retaining clips that keep the coin battery. If they lose tension it can prevent your coin battery from being properly seated and cause your remote to malfunction.
In rare cases the fob could be disconnected from your vehicle due to software issues or hardware issues. This issue can be fixed by visiting your local dealer or auto-locksmith to reprogram your key fob. In certain instances the software might require reinstallation into your body control modules.
Interference
Interference can also cause the key fob to be unable to receive or transmit a signal. This may happen if the key fob is in close proximity to a radio transmitter, like a cell phone or radar detector. G28 Car Keys why the key fob may not function may be a lack of connection to the buttons, damage to the internal chip or water damage.
If the key fob been unable to function for a while in the middle of the night, or after trying everything you can do at home to fix it e.g. battery replacement, reprogramming 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.
Fortunately, there's an easy method to reset all on-board systems in your 500 device, including the key fob. Disconnect the 12 volt battery for about 15 minutes, by disconnecting the negative cable first then the positive cable. Reconnect the battery. This will get rid of any remaining electricity and restart the car's computers. This can help the key fob to function again. If the problem persists you should consult an expert technician. They can determine the root of your problems.