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

Fiat Panda key fobs contain a transponder chip that sends a signal to your car to open the doors or start the engine. However, the fob may stop working due to a variety of causes.

The most common reason for key fob malfunction is an inoperable coin battery. Other causes are water damage, a faulty module, and interference signals.

Dead Coin Battery

Replace the battery in case your key fob has gone out of service. Make use of a new button battery that has identical in size, voltage, and specification 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 isopropyl alcohol or electronic cleaner can help.

If the key fob is not working despite not being exposed water it could be due to a problem in the receiver module, or even in the internal electronic chip. Reprogramming the keyfob through an OBDII scan may aid in these situations.

Water Damage

If your key fob has taken a bath in the puddle or pool, or taken a trip down the wash machine, you could be suffering some water damage. It is usually possible to be able to get it back up and running by removing the battery and scrubbing the circuit board with isopropyl alcohol. It is recommended to let the fob completely dry prior to installing the battery.

If your key fob isn't 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 manual. You could also try resetting the car's onboard computer using the OBDII scan tool.

Faulty Receiver Module

The key fob has the chip that communicates the vehicle's system. If the chip is damaged, it can no longer transmit and receive signals to the vehicle. This can be caused by dropping the key fob, or due to exposure to water. If the key fob is not working after water exposure it is possible to repair it by cleaning the chip with isopropyl alcohol or an electronic cleaner.

If the key fob does not respond even after cleaning it it is likely that the module is faulty and needs to be replaced. A malfunctioning receiver could cause the key to stop working. This is usually due to electromagnetic interference.

TheKeyLab that is embedded in the key fob is a vital component of the anti-theft systems in your car. It sends a signal the immobiliser unit of your vehicle to tell it whether the key is in fact valid. The car will not start when the chip is damaged.

A faulty chip may also be caused by interference from other objects, weather conditions or transmitters close to your vehicle. In this instance an upgrade to the fob will be required.

Contacts to the battery are not working properly.

The battery contacts inside the key fob are delicate and can get damaged through repeated use. If they're bent or broken the fob will not transmit any signals to the receiver modules inside the car.

Modern fobs are made with rubber seals to keep out water. A splash of water or a light rain is fine, but submerging them in salt water could cause damage to the chip's electronic components.

The key fob has chips that communicate with the vehicle's immobilizer system to activate it. The system uses the old red keys that were used in older vehicles, or the cryptocoding system used in modern vehicles. This chip will need to be replaced if it's faulty.

Problems with 12 Volt Batteries

A faulty battery may cause the key fob not to function. If this happens, the car's computer system will not recognize that the remote is inside the vehicle.

Before you replace the battery, you should test it with a a voltmeter to determine its capacity. A fully charged battery should display 12.6 volts. If the reading drops significantly, it's time to replace it.

To test the battery's capacity, place an electrical load on it for a few minutes. This will remove 1percent of the surface charges. Then, measure the voltage once more. The longer the battery can hold its voltage and the higher its capacity. Ideal is to hold close to 12 volts for several minutes.


Radio Signal Faulty Radio Signal

This is the main reason for the key fob to stop sending signals to vehicles. This problem can be solved by replacing the battery. However, it is important to select a replacement battery that has the same size and voltage as the original one.

Fobs are not indestructible and are susceptible to damage. Battery contacts and buttons can be damaged by rough handling.

Other transmitters or objects operating on the same frequency can interfere with a signal. A light-control panel in your home, for example can interfere with key fobs which use the same frequency. This could cause interference with your car's remote control.

Problems with OBDII Scan Tool

There are many reasons why a scanner tool may not work. Certain are more complicated than others.

Professional scan tools let a mechanic observe the car's networks and run various self-tests. These can be real time savers, but they can also be very expensive, and beyond the range of most DIYers.

If your OBD2 scan tool isn't turning on, check the voltage at terminals 16 (scantool power) and 4 (chassis earth). If they're all fine the fuse could have blown. This is the most common reason for failures of the scanner. The easiest solution is to replace the blown fuse.

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