Reasons Your Fiat 500 Key Fob Won't Work
A Fiat 500 key fob allows you to easily open doors and start your car. There are a variety of reasons why the fob won't work. This includes a dead coin-battery, water damage, problems with receiver modules, as well as interference.
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Dead Coin Battery
The most common reason the 500 key fob won't function is an inactive battery. Modern key fobs offer an operating range that is limited and must be within a few inches of the vehicle in order to work. If you're not close to your vehicle and you press the key fob button, the car will not respond, and will display an "Key Fob Not Detected" message in the instrument cluster.
If this happens, simply replace the battery on your coin cell (Part number CR2032) with a fresh one from a trusted brand like Panasonic, Duracell, or Energizer. They are typically available at your local hardware store or on the internet.
After you've replaced the battery of your coin cell, you can test it by standing in front of your Fiat 500 and pressing the buttons. The parking lights should light up and the key fob will operate the lock and unlock switches.
If the key fob doesn't work after replacing the battery, it may have water damage that stops it from communicating with the receiver module in your vehicle. Water damage can happen 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 dry rice bag to draw the moisture back out. If this isn't working, you'll require your fob to be replaced 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 machine. Saltwater is especially dangerous to the circuit board of the fob that can cause it to short out and eventually end up dying. It's not a good idea to soak the fob in water however, but don't give it up if you accidentally drop it in water or fail to take it out of your pocket.
First take the battery off the fob. Clean the electronic chip with isopropyl ethanol or a similar product and then dry it completely before replacing the battery. Then, test the fob to verify if it is working. If the fob doesn't work, it may need to be reset. This is usually handled by a dealer or professional auto locksmith.
If the key is newer and was not programmed to your vehicle It is likely that it needs to be replaced completely. This is a straightforward process which can be accomplished by a professional automotive locksmith. The locksmith will need the key cut to match the car's ignition. The locksmith also needs to program your fob into the vehicle's system. This is an affordable and quick process that could be completed on the same day.
Receiver Module Issues
One of the main reasons why your 500 key fob won't be working is that it's simply out of range. The remote has a range of 30 feet, which means if you are too far away from your vehicle it won't be able to respond to your commands. It's easy to remedy this by moving your remote closer to your vehicle until it responds.
If you've replaced the battery on your coin (commonly called"button" or "button" or "watch") and the fob isn't working It could be because of an internal circuit board issue. In the majority of cases, reprogramming your fob will fix the issue. You can find directions on how to do this on the majority of automobiles by searching YouTube or consulting the owner's manual.
It is sometimes necessary to replace the clips made of metal that hold the coin batteries in the correct position. If they become loose, it can prevent your coin battery from being properly seated, causing your remote to malfunction.
In rare cases the fob could be desync'd with your vehicle due to software problems or hardware issues. This issue can be fixed by visiting your local auto-locksmith or dealer to reprogram your key fob. In certain instances they might need to reinstall the software on your body control module too.
Interference
Interference can also cause the key fob to not receive or transmit an signal. This can happen when the key fob is in proximity to the radio transmitter (cell phones, radar detectors) or another source of electromagnetic radiation. Other reasons why the key fob may not function may be a lack of connection to the buttons or damage to the internal chip, or water damage.
If your key fob suddenly stopped working, or you have tried everything at home to resolve it (e.g. You could have a malfunctioning 500 receiver module after you've tried replacing the battery, reprogramming it, or using an alternative key fob. The receiver module is located under the dash and is able to pick up the radio frequency signals from the key fob. It converts them into electronic commands that the vehicle interprets.

There's a quick and easy way to reset the 500's in-board system, including the keyfob. Disconnect the battery for 15 minutes by taking off first the negative cable, then the positive cable. Reconnect the battery. This will clear out any remaining electricity and then restart the car's computer system, which can help get your key fob working again. If fiat 500 replacement key cost persists you should seek out an expert technician. They will be able diagnose the exact cause of problems.