Reasons Your Fiat 500 Key Fob Won't Work
A key fob for the Fiat 500 makes it easy to open doors and start your car. However, there are numerous reasons why the fob may stop functioning. This includes a dead battery and water damage, as well as issues with the receiver module, and interference.
This listing is for an NEW replacement Fiat Flip Key Remote that is similar to the Ilco brand. It needs to be professionally programmed (click here to find local locksmiths for your vehicle). Includes trunk, lock and unlock buttons.
Dead Coin Battery
The most frequent reason why your 500 key fob won't work is a dead battery. Modern key fobs only have only a limited range of operation and must be within a few inches of your vehicle to work. If you are far from your vehicle and 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 occurs then replace the battery for your coin-cell (Part Number CR2032) with a new battery of a trusted brand such as Panasonic Duracell or Energizer. You can find them in your local hardware store or online.
You can test the battery of your coin-cell by pressing the buttons while you're standing close to your Fiat 500. The car should flash its parking lights, and the key fob should operate the lock and unlock switches.
If the key fob doesn't work after replacing the battery, it might be damaged by water, which prevents it from communicating with the receiver module inside your car. Water damage can happen in a number of ways, from the slightest splash to submerging the fob salt water at the beach. If you believe your fob was exposed to water, put it in a rice bag to draw out the moisture. If that doesn't work your fob is likely to need to be reprogrammed by a professional auto locksmith or dealer.
Water Damage
While the fob comes with rubber seals to keep water out of the electronic chip inside and out of the ocean or washing it in a machine can cause water damage. Saltwater poses a particular risk to the circuit board of the fob, causing it to short out and eventually end up dying. It's not a good thing to let the fob get wet but don't give up in the event that you accidentally drop it in water or forget to take it out of your pants pocket.
Take the battery off first. Clean the electronic chip with isopropyl or a similar product and dry it thoroughly before replacing the battery. Test the fob afterward to determine if it's working. If the fob doesn't work, it may have to be changed. This is usually handled by a professional or dealer auto locksmith.
If the key is older and has not been programmed to your vehicle, it will likely need to be replaced completely. This is a simple procedure that can be handled by a professional automotive locksmith. The locksmith will need to cut the key to match the ignition on your vehicle. They will also need to reprogram the fob in the car's system. This is a low-cost and quick process that could be completed the same day.
Receiver Module Issues
One of the main reasons why your 500 key fob won't be functioning is that it's out of range. replacement fiat 500 key has 30 feet of range or less, and if it's too far from your vehicle, it won't respond to your commands. You can remedy this by moving your remote closer to your car until it responds.
If your fob isn't working after you replace the battery for the coin, also known as a "button", "watch" or "button" it could be due to a problem with the circuit board inside. In most cases, reprogramming the fob will fix the issue. You can find the steps for most vehicles on YouTube or in the owner's guide.
It could be necessary to replace the metal clips that hold the coin batteries in their place. If they become loose, it can stop 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. It is possible to fix this issue by visiting your local dealer or auto-locksmith to reprogram your key fob. In certain situations they might need to reinstall the software on your body control module, too.
Interference
Interference can also cause the key fob to not be able to receive or transmit a signal. This could happen if the key fob is close to an electronic radio transmitter (cell phones, radar detectors) or any other source of electromagnetic radiation. Other reasons the key fob could not function could be due to a weak connection to the buttons, damage to the internal chip, or water damage.
If the key fob has failed to work one day suddenly and you've tried everything you can do at home to resolve it e.g. replacing the battery, reprogramming it and using the spare key fob, you might have a damaged receiver module on your 500. The receiver module, located beneath the dashboard, picks up radio frequency signals from your key fob. It transforms the signals into electronic commands which are then read by the vehicle.
Fortunately, there's an easy method to reset all on-board systems in your 500, including the key fob. Disconnect the battery for 15 minutes, removing first the negative cable and then the positive cable. Then reconnect the battery. This will eliminate any remaining electricity, and restart the computer of your car. This will help you get your key fob to function again. If the problem persists you should seek the advice of an expert technician. They'll be able identify the root cause of your problem.