Watch Out: What Fiat 500 Keys Is Taking Over And What Can We Do About It

Fiat Panda Key Fob Replacement Fiat Panda key fobs contain an transponder chip that transmits an alert to your car to unlock the doors or start the engine. The fob might stop working due to a variety of reasons. The most commonly cited reason for key fob malfunction is a dead coin battery. Other causes include water damage the receiver module is defective, and signal interference. Dead Coin Battery If your key fob battery has failed, the initial step is to replace it. Choose a button battery with the same voltage, size and specification as your old one. If the key fob was exposed to water (such as rain or saltwater at the beach) it must be cleaned before using again. The best way to do this is using an old towel soaked in isopropyl or an electronic cleaner. If the key fob has not been exposed to water but remains inoperable it could be a problem with the receiver module or an internal electronic chip. In these situations it is possible to re-programme the key fob with an OBDII scanner could aid. Water Damage You could have water damage if your key fob was submerged in a pool, puddle or washing machine. It's usually possible to be able to get it back up and running by getting rid of the battery and scrubbing the circuit board with isopropyl alcohol. It is recommended to allow the device to completely dry before putting in a battery. If your key fob has stopped working, even after replacing the battery and reprogramming it, you may have a malfunctioning receiver module. There are instructions for the reprogramming of most remote keys on YouTube, or consult your owner's manual. You can also reset your computer of your car using the OBDII scanner tool. Faulty Receiver Module The key fob has the chip that communicates the vehicle's system. If the chip is damaged, it cannot longer transmit or receive signals to the vehicle. The key fob being dropped can cause this, as could exposure to water. If the key fob stops working after exposure to water it could be possible to fix it by cleaning the chip using isopropyl alcohol or an electronic cleaner. If the key fob does not respond to cleaning, it is likely that the module is in a fault and needs to be replaced. A malfunctioning receiver could cause the key to not work. This is usually caused by electromagnetic interference. Faulty Electronic Chip The electronic chip in your key fob is an important component of the anti-theft systems in your car. It sends a signal the immobiliser unit of the vehicle to determine whether or not the key is legitimate. If the chip is damaged or damaged, your car will not start. A damaged chip could be caused by interference from other objects, weather conditions or transmitters in the vicinity of your vehicle. In this situation an upgrade to the fob will be required. Contacts of the battery may be damaged. The battery contacts inside a key fob are very delicate and may be damaged with hard usage. If they're bent or broken the fob won't send any signals to the receiver modules in the car. Modern fobs come with rubber seals that block out water. A splash of water or a light rain is fine However, submerging them in salt water could harm the electronic chip. The key fob houses a chip that communicates with the vehicle's immobilizer to allow it to begin it. This system utilizes cryptocoding systems in vehicles that are more modern, or the old red key system used in older models. If this chip is faulty and needs to be replaced. Poor 12 Volt Battery A damaged battery could cause the key fob not to function. The car's computer will not recognize the remote when this occurs. Before replacing the battery, test it by using a an voltmeter for determining its capacity. A fully charged battery should read 12.6 volts. If the reading falls dramatically it is time to replace the battery. Set an electrical load for a few seconds on the battery to test its capacity. This will remove 1% of the surface charges. Then measure thekeylab.co.uk . The longer a battery can hold its voltage, the better its capacity. The ideal scenario is to keep it at or near 12 volts for several minutes. Problems with Radio Signal This is the most frequent reason for the key fob not sending signals to vehicles. This issue can be fixed by replacing the battery. It is however important to select a replacement battery that has the same voltage and size as the original one. Fobs aren't impervious to damage and can be damaged by a lot. The battery contacts and buttons could be damaged by rough handling. Other transmitters or objects operating on the same frequency may also disrupt a signal. A light control panel in your home, for example could interfere with key fobs using the same frequency. This can interfere with the remote control of your car. Incorrect OBDII Scan Tool There are many reasons why a scan tool could not work. Some are more complex than others. Professional scan tools allow a mechanic to monitor the car's network and conduct a variety self-tests. These can be real time savers, however they can also be very expensive, out of the budget of many DIYers. If your OBD2 scan tool fails to turn on, make sure you check the voltage at the terminals 16 (scantool power) and 4 (chassis earth). If they are all OK there is a chance that a fuse has ruptured. This is one of the most common causes of scan tool failure. It is typically easy to fix the problem by replacing the fuse that has blown.