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

Fiat Panda keyfobs are equipped with a transponder, which sends a signal from the fob to the car in order to unlock doors or start the motor. However, the fob could be inoperable due to various reasons.

The most common cause of key fob malfunction is an inoperable coin battery. Other reasons include water damage, a faulty receiver module, and signal interference.

Dead Coin Battery

Replace the battery if your key fob has failed. Make use of a new button battery that has exactly the same size, voltage and specifications as the previous one.

If the key fob was exposed to water (such as rain or saltwater at the beach), it must be cleaned before being used again. A paper towel soaked in alcohol or electronic cleaner will do the trick.

If the key fob has not been exposed to water, but remains inoperable, there may be an issue with the receiver module or an internal electronic chip. In these cases it is possible to re-programme the key fob using an OBDII scanner can aid.

Water Damage

You might have water damage to your key fob if it was submerged in a pool, puddle or washing machine. It is usually possible to fix it by taking out the batteries and cleaning the circuit board using ruby alcohol. It is a good idea to allow the fob to dry completely before putting in a brand new battery.

If your key fob stopped working, even after replacing the battery and changing the program, you could have a malfunctioning receiver module. You can find information on changing the programming of most remote keys on YouTube or in your owner's manual. You could also try resetting the car's computer onboard using the OBDII scan tool.

Faulty Receiver Module

The key fob has an electronic chip that communicates with the car's system. If the chip is damaged, it cannot longer be able to send or receive signals to the vehicle. This could be due to dropping the key fob or by water exposure. If the key fob is not working after exposure to water, it may be possible to repair the issue by cleaning or cleaning the chip with isopropyl alcohol or electronic cleaner.

If the key fob does not respond to cleaning, it is possible that the receiver module has an issue and should be replaced. A damaged receiver can cause the key to stop working. This is usually caused by electromagnetic interference.

Faulty Electronic Chip

The electronic chip inside your key fob is a crucial element of the anti-theft device in your car. It sends a message to the immobiliser inside your car to determine whether the key is genuine. Your car won't start in the event that the chip is damaged.

A damaged chip could be caused by interference from other objects, weather conditions or transmitters located near your vehicle. In this situation, you will need an entirely new key fob.

Contacts with the battery may be damaged.

The battery contacts on a key fob are very delicate and may be damaged by repeated use. If replacement fiat 500 key fob thekeylab.co.uk damaged or bent, the fob will not transmit any signals to the receiver modules in the car.

Modern fobs feature rubber seals that keep out water. A splash of water or light rain should be fine however, submerging them in saltwater may harm the chip's electronic components.

The key fob is equipped with the chip that connects to the vehicle's immobilizer system in order to start it. It uses the old red keys for older vehicles or the crypto coding system in modern vehicles. This chip will need to be replaced if it's defective.

The 12 Volt Battery is faulty

A faulty battery may cause the key fob to work. When this happens the car's computer will not be able to recognize that the remote is within the vehicle.

Before replacing the battery, you should test it with a an voltmeter to gauge its capacity. A fully charged battery should display 12.6 volts. If the reading decreases significantly the time is now to replace it.

Set an electrical load for a short time on the battery to determine its capacity. This will eliminate about 1% of the surface charge. Then, test the voltage again. The longer the battery is able to keep its voltage steady more effectively, the greater its capacity. Ideal is to hold at or near 12 volts for several minutes.

Problems with Radio Signal

This is the main reason for a key fob to stop sending signals to cars. This issue can be fixed by replacing the battery. But, it is essential to choose a battery that has the same size and voltage as the original one.

Fobs endure a lot of punishment, and aren't indestructible. The battery buttons and the contacts are fragile, so they can get bent or damaged by excessive use.


A signal may also be interrupted by other transmitters or objects that use the same frequency. For example, a light-control panel close to your home can transmit interference using the same frequency as key fobs use. This could interfere with the remote control of your car.

Faulty OBDII scan tool

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

Professional scan tools allow mechanics to observe the car's networks and perform a variety of self-tests. These tools can save time, but they're expensive and not accessible to the majority of DIYers.

If your OBD2 scan tool isn't turning on, check voltage at terminals 16 (scantool power) and 4 (chassis earth). If both are in good condition, it's likely that a fuse has been blown. This is among the most common reasons for failure of the scanner. The easiest solution is to replace the fuse that has been blown.