Fiat Panda Key Fob Replacement
Fiat Panda keyfobs are equipped with a transponder that transmits a signal from the fob to the car that allows it to unlock doors or turn on the motor. The fob might stop working for a variety of reasons.
A dead battery for the coin is the most frequent cause of a key fob malfunction. Other causes are water damage, malfunctioning receiver modules, and signal interference.
Dead Coin Battery
If your key fob battery has failed, the initial step is to replace it. Choose a button battery that has the same voltage, size, and specifications as your 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 isopropyl alcohol or electronic cleaner will do the trick.
If the key fob is not working even though it is not exposed to water it could be due to a problem in the receiver module or in the internal electronic chip. In these cases it is possible that reprogramming the key fob with an OBDII scanner could help.
Water Damage
If your key fob's battery has taken a bath in the puddle or pool or walked down the washing machine, it could have some water damage. It is usually possible to restore it's functionality by removing the battery and scrubbing the circuit board with isopropyl alcohol. It's a good idea to let the fob dry completely before putting in a new battery.
If your key fob has stopped working, even after replacing the battery and changing the program, you could have a problem with the receiver module. You can find instructions for reprograming the majority of remote keys on YouTube or refer to your owner's manual. You can also reset the car's computer using the OBDII scanner tool.
Faulty Receiver Module
The key fob is equipped with a chip which communicates with the vehicle's system. This chip will stop sending and receiving signals to the car if it becomes damaged. This could be due to dropping the key fob or through exposure to water. If the key fob has stopped functioning after exposure to water, it is possible to fix the issue by cleaning the chip with isopropyl alcohol or an electronic cleaner.
If the key fob is still unable to not respond even after cleaning it then it is likely that the module is defective and needs to be replaced. A damaged receiver module may also cause the remote control key to not function. This is typically caused by electromagnetic interference.
Faulty Electronic Chip
The electronic chip that is in your key fob plays an important part in the anti-theft security system of your vehicle. It transmits a signal to the immobiliser unit inside your vehicle to tell it whether or not the key is valid. Your car will not start if the chip is damaged.
A faulty chip may also be caused by interference caused by objects, bad weather or transmitters located near your vehicle. In this case, you will need a new key fob.
Contacts for the battery that are defective
The battery contacts of the key fob could be damaged through heavy use. If they are bent, or broken, the fob won't send any signals to the receiver modules inside the vehicle.
Modern fobs come with rubber seals in order to keep out water. A splash of water or light rain is fine however, submerging them in saltwater may harm the chip's electronic components.
The key fob contains a chip that communicates with the vehicle's immobilizer system to start it. fiat 500 key fob replacement relies on cryptocoding systems in vehicles that are more modern, or the old red key system in older ones. This chip will need to be replaced if damaged.
Problematic 12 Volt Battery
A malfunctioning battery could cause the remote to cease to function. When this occurs the car's computer will not be able to recognize that the remote is inside the vehicle.
Test the battery using an voltmeter prior to replacing it to determine its capacity. A fully charged battery will display 12.6 volts. If the reading drops significantly then it's time to replace the battery.
To test the battery's power put an electrical load on it for a few minutes. This will eliminate about 1% of the surface charge. Then take another measurement of the voltage. The longer the battery is able to keep its voltage steady, the better its capacity. Ideally, it will remain close to 12 volts for several minutes.
Faulty Radio Signal
This is the main reason for keys not sending signals to cars. This problem can be solved by replacing the battery. It is essential to purchase an identical battery voltage and dimensions as the original.
The buttons are not impervious to destruction and are susceptible to damage. Battery contacts and buttons can be damaged through rough handling.
A signal can also be interrupted by other objects or transmitters who use the same frequency. For instance, a light control panel close to your home can send interference over the same bandwidth that key fobs use. This could interfere with the remote control of your car.
Problems with OBDII Scan Tool
There are many reasons why a scan tool could not function. Certain are more complicated than others.
Professional scan tools allow mechanics to examine the car's systems and perform a variety of self-tests. These can be real time-savers, but they're also expensive and are out of the reach of most DIYers.
If your OBD2 scanner isn't turning on examine the voltage at terminal 16 (scan tool power) and terminal 4 (chassis ground). If these are both present it's likely that a fuse is blowing. This is the main cause of scan tool failure. It is usually easy to fix the problem by replacing the fuse that has blown.