Reasons Your fiat abarth key 500 Key Fob Won't Work

A key fob from Fiat 500 allows you to easily open doors and start your vehicle. There are a myriad of reasons why the fob may stop functioning. This could be due to a dead coin-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 must be professionally programmed by a local locksmith (click here to search for a Locksmith Search). Includes lock, unlock, and trunk buttons.

Dead Coin Battery

The most frequent reason that your 500 key fob won't function is due to the battery is dead. Modern key fobs come with a limited operating range and should be within a few feet of the vehicle in order to function. If you're not close to your vehicle when 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) with a new Fiat 500 Key Fob battery of a trusted brand such as Panasonic Duracell or Energizer. They can be found in your local hardware store or on the internet.

You can test the coin-cell battery by pressing the buttons while you're standing close to your fiat car key 500. The car will flash 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 be damaged by water that blocks it from communicating with the receiver module in your vehicle. 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 suspect that your fob has been exposed to water, you can try placing it in a dry rice bag to draw the moisture out. If that doesn't work, your fob is likely to require reprogramming by an experienced auto locksmith or dealer.

Water Damage

Water damage can occur if you immerse the fob into the ocean, or wash it in a washer. Saltwater can cause the circuit board to become shorted and eventually die. It's not the best idea to let the fob get wet, but don't give it up when you accidentally drop it in water or fail to take it out of your pocket.

First, remove the battery. Clean the electronic chip using isopropyl alcohol or a similar product and dry it completely before replacing the battery. Check the fob again to see if it is working. If the key doesn't function, it may have to be programmed again. This is usually handled by an auto locksmith or dealer.

If the key is older and has never been programmed to your vehicle, it will likely need to be replaced completely. A professional locksmith for cars can do this job. The locksmith needs to cut the key to match the ignition on your vehicle. They'll also need to reprogram the fob for the lost car key fiat's system. This is a quick and affordable process that can usually be completed in the same day.

Receiver Module Issues

Your 500 key fob may not work because it's out of range. The remote's range is of 30 feet. So in the event that you are far away 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 coin battery (commonly known as a "button" or "watch") and your fob doesn't function, it could have an internal circuit board issue. Reprogramming the fob is usually the solution to this issue. You can find instructions on how to do this for the majority of automobiles by searching YouTube or looking through the owner's manual.

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 can become out of connection with your vehicle as a result of software or hardware problems. This could cause a significant trouble, but you could usually fix it by visiting a local dealer or auto locksmith to have them reprogram your fob for you. In some cases the software may require reinstallation to your body control modules.

Interference

In addition to a dead coin battery the key fob could not be able to transmit or receive signals due to interference. This may happen if the keyfob's location is in close proximity to a radio transmitter, like a cellphone or radar detector. The key fob may not function because of a problem to the buttons water damage or damage to the internal chips.

If the key fob has stopped working one day in the middle of the night or after trying everything you can at home to solve it e.g. replacing the battery, reprogramming, and using the spare key fob, you might have a damaged receiver module on your 500. The receiver module, located beneath the dashboard, is able to pick up radio frequency signals from your key fob. It converts the signals into electronic commands that are then read by the vehicle.

Fortunately, there's an easy way to reset all of the onboard systems in your 500, including the key fob. Disconnect the battery of 12 volts for about 15 minutes, by removing the negative cable first then the positive cable. Then, reconnect the battery. This will eliminate any remaining electricity, and allow you to restart the computer in your car. This can help get your key fob to work again. If the issue continues, you should seek out an expert technician. They'll be able diagnose the exact cause of your issue.