Reasons Your Fiat 500 Key Fob Won't Work
A key fob for Fiat 500 allows you to easily open doors and start your vehicle. However, there are many reasons why the key fob might stop working. This includes a dead battery or water damage, receiver modules issues, and interference.
This listing is for an NEW replacement Fiat Flip Key Remote - similar to the Ilco brand that needs to be professionally programmed 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 your 500 key fob will not function is due to a dead battery. Modern key fobs have a restricted operating range, and must be within a few feet of the car to operate. If you're far from 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, replace the battery on your coin cell (Part number CR2032) with a brand new one from a reputable brand like Panasonic, Duracell, or Energizer. They are available at your local hardware store or online.
You can test the battery of your coin-cell by pressing the buttons while you are standing close to your Fiat 500. The parking lights will flash and the key fob will operate the lock and unlock switch.
If the fob's remote doesn't work after replacing the battery, it may have water damage that prevents it from communicating with the receiver module in your car. Water damage can occur in a variety of ways, from the slightest splash to submerging the fob salt water at the beach. If you suspect that your fob was exposed to water, put it in a bag of rice to draw out the moisture. If that doesn't work, the fob might require reprogramming by a professional auto locksmith or by the dealer.
Water Damage
Although the fob is equipped with rubber seals that keep water from the chip's electronic circuit, submerging it in the ocean or washing it in a machine can cause water damage. Saltwater poses a particular risk to the fob's circuit board which causes it to short out and eventually end up dying. It's not good to get the fob wet, but don't give it up in the event that you accidentally drop it in water or fail to remove it from your pocket.
First take G28 off the fob. Clean the electronic chip using isopropyl ethanol or a similar product and dry it completely before replacing the battery. Check the fob to see if it is functioning. If the key does not function, it may have to be reset. This is usually done by an auto locksmith or dealer.
If the key is older and has not been programmed to your car it is likely to need to be replaced completely. This is a simple procedure that can be completed by a professional locksmith for automotive use. The locksmith will require the key cut to match your vehicle's ignition. They will also need to reprogram the fob in your car's system. It's a simple and inexpensive process that is usually completed within the same day.
Receiver Module Issues
One of the main reasons why your 500 key fob may stop functioning is that it's out of range. The remote usually has an area of 30 feet or less and if it's far from your car, it will not respond to your commands. This can be easily fixed by moving it closer to your vehicle until it begins responding.
If your fob won't work after replacing the battery inside the coin, which is also called a "button", "watch" or "button" It could be a problem with the circuit board inside. Reprogramming the fob is usually the solution to this issue. You can find instructions on how to do this on the majority of automobiles by searching YouTube or looking through the owner's manual.
You may have to replace the metal clips that keep the coin battery in place. If they loose tension, it can stop your coin battery from being properly seated, causing your remote to malfunction.
In rare instances, the fob may become desync'd with your vehicle due to software issues or hardware issues. This could be a huge issue, but you are able to usually resolve this issue by visiting an auto locksmith to reprogram your fob. In some cases it may be necessary to install the software again in your body control module, too.
Interference
In addition to a dead coin battery The key fob may not be able to receive or transmit signals due to interference. This is possible when the key fob is close to the radio transmitter (cell phones and radar detectors) or another source of electromagnetic radiation. The key fob could not work due to a poor connection with the buttons water damage or damage to the internal chips.
If the key fob stopped working one day without notice, or after trying everything you can do at home to fix it e.g. replacing the battery, reprogramming, and using the spare key fob, you could have a damaged receiver module on your 500. The receiver module is located under the dash, and it picks up the radio frequency signals from the key fob. It transforms the signals into electronic commands, which are then translated by the vehicle.
Luckily, there is an easy method of resetting all on-board systems in your 500, including the key fob. Disconnect the battery of 12 volts for about 15 minutes, by removing the negative cable and then the positive cable. Reconnect the battery. This will get rid of any remaining electrical charge and restart the car's computer system, which can help the key fob to function again. If the issue persists you should speak with an expert certified technician. They will be able to identify the exact cause of any problems.