Reasons Your Fiat 500 Key Fob Won't Work

A Fiat 500 key fob makes it easy to open doors and start your vehicle. There are a myriad of reasons the fob won't work. It could be due to a dead battery, damage to the receiver module, problems, and interference.

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Dead Coin Battery

A dead battery is probably the most common cause of your 500 key fob being inoperative. Modern key fobs have limited operating range and must be within a few inches of your vehicle to function. If you're far from your vehicle, and you press the keyfob button it will not respond, and display the message "Key Fob Not Detected".

If this occurs you need to replace the battery of your coin-cell (Part Number CR2032) by a brand new one of a trusted brand such as Panasonic Duracell or Energizer. They are typically available at your local hardware store, or online.

You can test the battery in the coin-cell by pressing the buttons while you are standing close to your fiat 500 key fob not working 500. The parking lights should blink and the key fob should operate the lock and unlock switches.

If your fob's key does not work after replacing the battery, it may be water damage which is preventing it from connecting to the module in your vehicle. Water damage can happen through a variety of methods, including a simple splash or submerging the key fob in saltwater at the beach. If you suspect that your fob has been exposed to water, place it in a rice bag to draw out the moisture. If this doesn't work, your fob is likely to need to be reprogrammed by an experienced auto locksmith or by the dealer.

Water Damage

While the fob comes with rubber seals that keep water from the electronic chip inside and out of the ocean or washing it in a machine could cause water damage. Saltwater is particularly dangerous to the fob's circuit board which causes it to short out and eventually die. It's not the best idea to let the fob get wet however, don't give it up when you accidentally drop it in water or forget to take it out of your pants pocket.

First remove the battery from the fob. Clean the electronic chip using isopropyl alcohol or another similar product and dry it thoroughly before replacing the battery. Then try the fob and check if it functions. If the fob doesn't function, it may need to be reprogrammed. This is usually handled by an auto locksmith or dealer.

If your key is older and is not programmed to work with your vehicle, you will need to replace it completely. This is a simple process which can be accomplished by a professional locksmith for automotive use. The locksmith will need to cut the key to match the ignition of your vehicle. They'll also have to reprogram the fob to your car's system. This is a fast and cost-effective procedure that can be completed in the same day.

Receiver Module Issues

The 500 key fob could not work because it's out of range. The remote usually has a range of 30 feet or less, and if it's too far from your car, it won't respond to your commands. You can remedy this by moving your remote closer to your car until it responds.

If you've replaced the coin battery (commonly known as a "button" or "watch") and the fob won't work it could be due to an internal circuit board problem. In most cases, reprogramming the fob can resolve the problem. You can find the steps for most vehicles on YouTube or in the owner's guide.

It is possible to replace the metal clips that hold the coin batteries in place. If they lose tension it could prevent your coin battery from sitting properly and cause your remote to malfunction.

In rare cases, the fob may become desync'd with your vehicle due to software or hardware issues. This can cause a major problem, reprogram but you can usually fix it by visiting a local dealer or auto locksmith to have them reprogram your fob. In some instances the software might require reinstallation in your body control modules.

Interference

In addition to a dead coin battery The key fob might not be able to transmit or receive an signal due to interference. This could occur if the key fob is close to radio transmitters (cell phones, radar detectors) or another source of electromagnetic radiation. Other reasons the key fob could not function include a poor connection to the buttons or damage to the internal chip, or water damage.

If the key fob has failed to work one day suddenly or reprogram after trying everything you can do at home to fix it e.g. battery replacement, reprogramming and using the spare key fob, it could have a defective 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 converts the signals into electronic commands, which are then read by the vehicle.

Luckily, there is an easy way to reset all of the on-board systems in your 500 keys, 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 clear any residual electric current, and also restart the car's computer. This can help you get your key fob working again. If the issue persists, you should consult an expert technician. They will be able diagnose the root cause of any issues.