Reasons Your Fiat 500 Key Fob Won't Work

A Fiat 500 key fob makes it simple to open doors and start your car. However, there are a variety of reasons why the fob may stop working. It could be due to a dead battery, damage to the receiver module, issues, and interfering.

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Dead Coin Battery

The most frequent reason that your 500 key fob doesn't function is the battery is dead. Modern key fobs have a very limited range of operation, and must be within some feet of the vehicle in order to function. If you're not close to your vehicle and press the key fob button the car won't be able to respond, and will display a "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 online.

After you've replaced the battery of your coin cell It is possible to test it by standing near your Fiat 500 and pressing the buttons. The parking lights will flash and the key fob will operate the lock and Reprogramming unlock switches.

If the fob's remote doesn't function after replacing the battery, it might have water damage that prevents it from communicating with the receiver module inside your car. Water damage can occur in a variety of ways, from small splashes to submerging the fob into salt water at the beach. If you suspect that your fob has been exposed to water, you can try placing it in a dry rice bag to pull the moisture back out. If this doesn't work your fob may require reprogramming by an experienced locksmith or dealer.

Water Damage

Although the fob is equipped with rubber seals that keep water from the chip's electronic circuit it, submerging it in the ocean or washing it in a machine can cause water damage. Saltwater is particularly dangerous to the circuit board of the fob which causes it to short out and eventually die. Getting the fob wet is not a good idea but if you drop it into the water in a cup or fail to remove it from your pants pocket before running the washer do not give up hope.

Remove the battery first. Clean the electronic chip using isopropyl alcohol or another similar product and dry it thoroughly before replacing the battery. Then check the fob to test if it works. If the fob doesn't work, it may have to be reprogrammed. This is usually done by an auto locksmith or dealer.

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

Receiver Module Issues

One of the most common reasons why your 500 key fob might stop working is because it's out of range. The remote's range is of 30 feet. So if you are too far away from your vehicle it won't respond to your commands. This can be easily fixed by moving it closer to your vehicle until it begins responding.

If your fob does not work after replacing the battery inside the coin, which is also called a "button", "watch" or "button" it may be due to a malfunction on the circuit board inside. In most cases, reprogramming the fob will resolve this issue. You can find directions on how to get a new fiat 500 key to do this for most automobiles by searching YouTube or consulting the owner's manual.

You may have to replace the metal clips that hold the coin battery. If they loose tension it can prevent the battery from sitting properly and could result in the malfunction of your remote.

In rare cases, the fob may become desync'd with your vehicle due to software problems or hardware issues. It is possible to fix this issue by visiting your local auto-locksmith or dealer to reprogram your key fob. In some cases they might need to reinstall the software in your body control module too.

Interference

Interference can also cause the key fob not to receive or transmit an signal. This could happen if the key fob is located near a radio transmitter (cell phones and radar detectors) or any other source of electromagnetic radiation. The key fob could not work due to a bad connection with the buttons, water damage or damage to the internal chips.

If your key fob suddenly stopped working, or if you have tried everything at home to fix it (e.g. battery replacement, reprogramming and using the spare key fob, it could have a damaged receiver module on your 500. The receiver module, located under the dashboard, is able to pick up radio frequency signals from your key fob. It converts the signals into electronic commands, which are then interpreted by the vehicle.

There is a simple way to reset the 500's in-board system including the keyfob. Disconnect the 12 volt battery for about 15 minutes, by taking off the negative cable first then the positive cable. Reconnect the battery. This will get rid of any residual electricity and restart the car's computer system, which can help the key fob to function again. If the issue continues you should speak with a certified technician. They will be able to identify the root cause of your problems.