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The Fiat 500 Keys Case Study You'll Never Forget
Fiat Panda Key Fob Replacement

Fiat Panda keyfobs are equipped with a transponder that sends an indication from the fob to the car that allows it to unlock doors or start the motor. The fob may stop working for a variety of reasons.

The most common cause of key fob malfunction is a dead coin battery. Other causes include water damages or a damaged module and interference signals.

Dead Coin Battery

If the battery in your key fob has died, the first thing to do is replace it. Use a button cell with the same voltage, size and specification as your old one.

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

If the key fob has not been exposed to water, but it is still not working, there may be an issue with the receiver module or an internal electronic chip. In these instances, reprogramming the key fob using an OBDII scanner may aid.

Water Damage

It is possible to get water damage to your key fob if it was submerged in a puddle, pool or washing machine. It's usually possible to get it working again by taking the battery off and cleaning the circuit board with isopropyl alcohol. It is best to let the board completely dry before installing the battery.

If your key fob stopped working, even after replacing the battery and reconfiguring it, you may have a defective receiver module. Reprogramming instructions are available for all vehicles' remote key fobs on YouTube or in the owner's guide. You can also reset your computer of your car using the OBDII scanner tool.

Faulty Receiver Module

The key fob is equipped with a chip which communicates with the vehicle's system. The chip will stop sending and receiving signals to the car if damaged. Dropping the key fob can cause this, as well as exposure to water. If the key fob stopped working after exposure to water it is possible to fix the issue by cleaning the chip using isopropyl ethanol or electronic cleaner.

If the key fob still does not respond even after cleaning it it is likely that the component is damaged and will need to be replaced. A defective receiver module could also cause the remote control key to cease functioning. This usually happens due to electromagnetic interference.

Faulty Electronic Chip

The chip inside your key fob plays a vital role in the anti-theft system of your vehicle. It transmits a signal to the immobiliser unit in your vehicle to tell it whether the key is genuine. Your car will not start when the chip is damaged.

A defective chip could be caused by interference from other objects, weather conditions or transmitters located near your vehicle. In this situation you'll need a new key fob.

Contacts with the battery may be damaged.

fiat 500 key fob replacement on a key fob can be damaged due to heavy use. If they are bent, or broken, the fob won't send any signals to receiver modules inside the vehicle.

Modern fobs are constructed with rubber seals that keep out water. Immersing them in water, even if it is just an occasional drizzle or splash could harm the chip's electronic circuit.

The key fob has an electronic chip that communicates with the immobilizer system of the vehicle to begin it. The system utilizes the old red keys for older vehicles, or the cryptocoding system that is used in modern vehicles. If the chip is defective it must be replaced.

Faulty 12 Volt Battery

A faulty battery may cause the key fob not to work. The car's computer may not recognize the remote if this occurs.

Test the battery using an voltmeter prior to replacing it to determine its capacity. A fully charged battery should display 12.6 volts. If the reading decreases significantly then it's time to replace the battery.

To test the battery's power to determine its capacity, put an electric load on it for a few minutes. This will eliminate about 1 percent of the charge on the surface. Then measure the voltage again. The longer a battery can keep its voltage steady, the better its capacity. It should be at 12 volts or less for several minutes.

Problems with Radio Signal

This is the main reason for a keyfob that stops sending signals to the car. The battery could be replaced to fix this issue. It is however important to buy a new battery with the same voltage and size as the original.

Fobs can take a lot abuse, but they're also not impervious to destruction. The battery contacts and buttons could be damaged by rough handling.

Other transmitters or objects operating on the same frequency can also disrupt a signal. For instance, a light-control panel near your home may send interference over the same bandwidth that key fobs utilize. This could interfere with the remote control of your car.

Faulty OBDII scan tool

There are a variety of reasons why scanners may not function. Certain are more complicated than others.


Professional scan tools enable a mechanic observe the car's network and perform various self-tests. They can be huge time savers but they're also expensive and are out of the reach of most DIYers.

If your OBD2 scan tool fails to turn on, check the voltage at the terminals 16 (scantool power) and 4 (chassis earth). If they're both in good shape the chances are that a fuse has been blown. This is the most frequent reason for failure of the scan tool. The easiest fix is to replace the fuse which has blown.

Website: https://www.thekeylab.co.uk/fiat-car-keys/