Be On The Lookout For: How Fiat 500 Keys Is Taking Over And What Can We Do About It

· 4 min read
Be On The Lookout For: How Fiat 500 Keys Is Taking Over And What Can We Do About It

Fiat Panda Key Fob Replacement

Fiat Panda key fobs contain a transponder chip which sends a signal to your car to open the doors and start the engine. The fob may stop working due to a variety of reasons.

The most commonly cited reason for key fob malfunction is an inoperable coin battery. Other causes include water damage as well as a defective module and interference signals.

Dead Coin Battery

Replace the battery if your key fob has gone out of service. Choose a button battery with the same voltage, size and specifications as the old one.

If the key fob was exposed to water, such as a splash of rain or salt water at the beach, it needs to be cleaned before it is able to be used again. A paper towel soaked in alcohol or electronic cleaner will work wonders.

If the key fob hasn't been exposed to water but it is still not working it could be a problem with the receiver module or an internal electronic chip. In these instances you can reprogramme the key fob with an OBDII scanner may help.

Water Damage

If your key fob took immersed in a puddle or pool or even a trip down the wash machine, you could be suffering some water damage. It's usually possible to get it back to working by taking off the battery and then scrubbing the circuit board with isopropyl alcohol. It's a good idea allow the fob to dry completely before installing a new battery.

If your key fob has stopped working even after replacing the battery and changing the program, you could have a malfunctioning receiver module. You can find reprogramming instructions for most remote key fobs on YouTube or in the owner's guide. You could also try resetting the car's onboard computer with the OBDII scan tool.

Faulty Receiver Module

The key fob has an electronic chip that communicates with the vehicle's system. This chip will stop sending and receiving signals to the car if damaged. This can be caused by dropping the key fob or through exposure to water. If the key fob you have purchased has stopped working due to water exposure or water exposure, you might be able to fix it if clean the chip with electronic cleaner or isopropylethanol.

If the key fob continues to not respond after cleaning it, there is a good chance that the component is damaged and must be replaced. A faulty receiver can also cause the key to stop working. This is typically caused by electromagnetic interference.

Faulty electronic chip

The electronic chip inside your key fob is a vital role in the anti-theft system of your car. It sends a signal to the immobiliser in your car to inform it whether the key is genuine. If the chip is damaged or broken, the car will not start.

A faulty chip can also be caused by interference signals from other objects like bad weather conditions or transmitters on the same frequency close to your vehicle. In this scenario you'll require an entirely new key fob.

Contacts to the battery are not working properly.

G28  in the key fob are delicate and could be damaged with hard usage. If they're bent or broken the fob won't send any signals to the receiver modules inside the car.

Modern fobs feature rubber seals to keep out water. Immersing them in water, even if it's just the slightest splash or drizzle can harm the chip's electronic circuit.

The key fob houses the chip that connects to the vehicle's immobilizer in order to activate it. The system relies on cryptocoding systems in modern vehicles and the older red key system for older ones. If this chip is faulty it will have to be replaced.

Faulty 12 Volt Batterie

A defective battery can cause the key fob not to work. The car's computer won't recognize the remote when this occurs.

Test the battery with the voltmeter before replacing it to determine its capacity. A fully charged battery should display 12.6 volts. If the reading falls dramatically then it's time to replace the battery.

To test a battery's capacity test the battery's capacity by placing an electrical load on it for a few minutes. This will take away 1percent of the charges. After that, measure the voltage. The greater the battery's capacity is, the longer it will keep its voltage. It is ideal to maintain close to 12 volts over several minutes.

Radio Signal Faulty Radio Signal

This is the most frequent reason for the key fob not sending signals to cars. This issue can be fixed by replacing the battery. It is crucial to buy a battery with the same dimensions and voltage as the original.

Fobs can take a lot abuse, but they're not impervious to destruction. Contacts on batteries and buttons can be damaged through rough handling.

Other transmitters or objects that use the same frequency can also disrupt the signal. For example, a light-control panel in your home could transmit interference using the same bandwidth that key fobs use. This could cause interference with the remote control of your car.

Faulty OBDII Scan Tool

There are a number of reasons why a scan tool might not work. Certain are more complicated than others.

Professional scan tools enable mechanics to look over the car's network and perform various self-tests. These are real time-savers, but they are also extremely expensive and are out of the reach of most DIYers.


If your OBD2 scanner doesn't work make sure you check the voltage at terminal 16 (scan tool power) and terminal 4 (chassis ground). If they're both in good shape it's likely that a fuse has been blown. This is the most common reason for failures of the scanner. The simple fix is usually to replace the fuse that is blowing up.