Reasons Your fiat car key 500 Key Fob Won’t Work
A fiat key cover 500 key fob makes it easy to open doors and start your car. There are a myriad of reasons why the fob may stop working. This includes a dead coin-battery and water damage, as well as problems with receiver modules, as well as interference.
This listing is for a NEW replacement program fiat 500 Key fob Flip Key Remote that appears similar to the Ilco brand. It needs to be professionally programmed (click here to find local locksmiths for automotive locksmiths). Includes trunk, lock and unlock buttons.
Dead Coin Battery
A dead battery is probably the most common reason for your 500 key fob not functioning. Modern key fobs come with a limited range of operation, and must be within some feet of the vehicle 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 the “Key Fob Not Detected” message in the instrument cluster.
If this happens, replace the battery in the coin cell (Part number CR2032) by a new one from a reputable manufacturer such as Panasonic, Duracell, or Energizer. You can find them in your local hardware store or on the internet.
You can test the battery on your coin-cell by pressing the buttons while standing near your fiat key cover 500. The parking lights will flash and the key fob should operate the lock and unlock switch.
If the fob’s key doesn’t function after replacing the battery, it may be damaged by water that blocks it from communicating with the receiver module inside your car. Water damage can occur in a number of ways, from an accidental splash to submerging the fob in salt water at the beach. If you think your fob was exposed to water, you can place it in a rice bag to draw out the moisture. If this isn’t working, you’ll need to have your fob reset by an auto locksmith or dealer.
Water Damage
Water damage can occur if you immerse the fob into the ocean or wash it in a washing machine. Saltwater is particularly dangerous to the circuit board of the fob and can cause it to short out and eventually die. It’s not a good idea to let the fob get wet however, but don’t give it up when you accidentally drop it in water, or fail to remove it from your pants pocket.
First take the battery off the fob. Before replacing the battery, clean the electronic chip with isopropyl or a similar product. Check the fob again to see if it is functioning. If the fob doesn’t work, it may have to be reset. This is usually done by an auto locksmith or dealer.
If your key is old and has not been programmed for your car it is necessary to replace it completely. This is a straightforward process that can be handled by a professional locksmith for automotive use. The locksmith will require the key to be cut to match your car’s ignition. They’ll also have to reprogram the fob to the car’s system. This is a cheap and quick process that could be completed the same day.
Receiver Module Issues
One of the main reasons your 500 key fob won’t be functioning is because it’s out of range. The remote usually has an area of 30 feet or less and if it’s far from your vehicle, it will not respond to your commands. This can be fixed by moving closer to your vehicle until it starts responding.
If your fob doesn’t work after you replace the battery in the coin, also called a “button”, “watch” or “button” it could be due to a problem with the internal circuit board. Reprogramming your fob can resolve this problem. You can find the instructions on how to do this for most automobiles by searching YouTube or checking out the owner’s manual.
It could be necessary to replace the clips made of metal that hold the coin batteries in their place. If they lose tension it could prevent the coin battery from being properly seated, and this will result in the malfunction of your remote.
In rare instances, the fob might be out of alignment with your vehicle because of hardware or software issues. You can fix this problem by visiting your local dealer or auto-locksmith to reprogram your key fob. In some instances 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 an signal due to interference. This could occur if the key fob is in proximity to the radio transmitter (cell phones or radar detectors) or another source of electromagnetic radiation. Other reasons why 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 suddenly stopped working, in the middle of the night and you’ve tried everything you can do at home to solve it e.g. battery replacement, reprogramming and using the spare key fob, you could have a damaged receiver module on your 500. The receiver module is situated under the dash and is able to pick up the radio frequency signals from the key fob. It then converts them into electronic commands that the vehicle interprets.
Luckily, there is an easy method to reset all on-board systems in your 500, including the key fob. Disconnect the battery for 15 minutes by removing first the negative cable, then the positive cable. Then reconnect the battery. This will eliminate any remaining electrical charge and restart the car’s computer system, which could allow you to the key fob to function again. If the issue continues, you should seek the advice of an expert technician. They can determine the root of your issues.