General Key Fob stopped working

[riggie]

Re:- Fiat 500 lounge 2012

Hi Everyone,
My Daughter drove to work locked the car up. Came back to the car and nothing on the key fob would work.
The door could be opened manually, and the engine turned over no problem, but would not fire up.
I arrived with the standard spare key and it started first time.

I tried a new battery ( CV2032 ) in the 3 button key fob and nothing!
Not sure what the problem is, could be the immobiliser side of the key has failed, or could it just need re-programming or what?
Or does it look like a new key is required?
Any ideas are welcome
cheers
riggie

 

[jrkitching]

Hi Everyone

Hello and welcome to the forum.

I've had an immobiliser chip go bad on a 500, but that was on the second (non-remote) key; fortunately replaced under warranty as they're not cheap and the car needs programming to accept the keys.

Interesting that neither the remote functions nor the immobiliser would appear to be working; I'd have thought they would be separate and you'd lose one, but not the other. AFAIK the immobiliser doesn't require power or any of the remote functions to work, just a physically sound tag inside the key.

The only thing I can think of that would cause both to fail at the same time would be some sort of extreme trauma event happening to the key, like dropping it from height onto a hard floor.

Whatever, it sounds as if a new key will be required.

 

[riggie]

My thoughts exactly, now that I think about it the keys are two totally different designs, the standard key has the Tag moulded into the handle practically bulletproof.
I presume the remote key will have the Tag on the PCB board and must be connected in some way to the central locking circuit and a fault has caused both to fail simultaneously.
If both are totally separate then I have no answers.

P.S. the keys were placed in her bag as per usual the same way and never moved for 8 hours, definitely not any traumas. Before this happened there were no signs at all of low battery problems, the car could lock and open from inside the house as the range was excellent.

 

[John202020]

My thoughts exactly, now that I think about it the keys are two totally different designs, the standard key has the Tag moulded into the handle practically bulletproof.
I presume the remote key will have the Tag on the PCB board and must be connected in some way to the central locking circuit and a fault has caused both to fail simultaneously.
If both are totally separate then I have no answers.

P.S. the keys were placed in her bag as per usual the same way and never moved for 8 hours, definitely not any traumas. Before this happened there were no signs at all of low battery problems, the car could lock and open from inside the house as the range was excellent.

Have you tried the remote key since getting the car home, not the remote side just the starting side?

 

[riggie]

Hi John,
Just tried it and no luck. It opens the door still and the engine fly's over when you turn the key. But zero ignition! stick the standard key in starts first time.
I checked the old battery today and it still reads 3.05volts. We have only one option and it's to take the key and the car to get it checked and get a price for repair or new. I can't even strip it down to check basic connections or look for damage as I read somewhere the dealers won't touch it if it has been messed about.
I was hoping it could be a software fault and the key could be re-programmed or something simple as it's a lot to cash to pull out for her, but I can guarantee we will have to book the car in just to check it, and then they can hit us with a £250 bill.

 

[John202020]

Hi John,
Just tried it and no luck.
I was hoping it could be a software fault and the key could be re-programmed or something simple as it's a lot to cash to pull out for her, but I can guarantee we will have to book the car in just to check it, and then they can hit us with a £250 bill.

Pity, ask the garage how much before starting, https://www.replacemykey.com/ comes out not much cheaper, someone a while ago posted a link to another supplier that may have been cheaper, can't quite remember.

 

[ADRIAN22]

Try this , use a key that locks and opens door manually, put this in the lock and turn to lock position hold key in this position, then blip the remote lock button once on other key fob. Remove key in lock and repeat up to 3 times. the key fob key should lock unlock door and also start engine. If this works do the same with other fob key, if the key is a remote key type.

Ade:wave:

 

[chris3234]

Try this , use a key that locks and opens door manually, put this in the lock and turn to lock position hold key in this position, then blip the remote lock button once on other key fob. Remove key in lock and repeat up to 3 times. the key fob key should lock unlock door and also start engine. If this works do the same with other fob key, if the key is a remote key type.

Ade:wave:

One key in ignition in first position and other key in door lock locking and unlocking the car is another way with many cars

 

[riggie]

Hi, thanks for the info, tried both methods and still no luck, booked into main dealers in a couple of days time. The chap on the phone says it could just require re-coding. So we will see, cost around £40. I still get the feeling electronically this remote is dead. Will tell you how we get on.

 

[jocee91]

Hi guys I have the same problem with a 2001 Stilo. I bought this car with the issue already present, the previous owner told me that the key stopped working at some point and they had no idea why.

I tried both methods, tried everything (pressing buttons quickly, leaving one in the car and pressing other fob so possibly every combo I had in my mind) but no success.

 

[Texas149]

Still waiting on an update from 'riggie' as to the outcome of his problem.

 

[ADRIAN22]

Try cleaning the inside of key fob where the fob buttons make contact with the little switches, use alcahol wipes. I told one member on this forum to do this and his now works OK

Hope it works for you.

Ade:wave:

 

[riggie]

Hi everyone,
Went to the Main Dealers, they took the key away tried to re-code the key but returned to say the Remote key fob is dead, and the only solution was a replacement at a cost of £252, wait of this .......... a spare DUMB key would be £30 less! Got the cock&bull story that the key would have to come from Italy will take 3 days etc. So we told him the pricing was ridiculous and we walked out.
SOLUTION
We left the Main Dealers, drove 3/4mile to the nearest shop that cuts keys, I went inside and they " Carried " the FIAT blank remotes in stock. Left the car for 40 mins returned to collect the car and remote Key £150 ...... job done.
Will inspect the old remote this week and see if I can find any damage ( p.s. the old remote will not be programmed for the car any more)

 

[jrkitching]

Hi everyone,
Went to the Main Dealers, they took the key away tried to re-code the key but returned to say the Remote key fob is dead, and the only solution was a replacement at a cost of £252, wait of this .......... a spare DUMB key would be £30 less! Got the cock&bull story that the key would have to come from Italy will take 3 days etc. So we told him the pricing was ridiculous and we walked out.
SOLUTION
We left the Main Dealers, drove 3/4mile to the nearest shop that cuts keys, I went inside and they " Carried " the FIAT blank remotes in stock. Left the car for 40 mins returned to collect the car and remote Key £150 ...... job done.
Will inspect the old remote this week and see if I can find any damage ( p.s. the old remote will not be programmed for the car any more)

Thanks for coming back to update us.

£252 is actually pretty good for a franchised dealer price; some folks have been quoted significantly more. I'd agree with you that it's a ridiculous price, but it is the going rate.

I'm pleased you managed to find a more cost effective solution. That said, even £150 is a ridiculous price if you compare it to (say) the cost of a generic replacement remote control unit for household electronics; the actual part will only cost pennies to make.

Did you get a genuine Fiat remote, or is it an aftermarket part?

 

[markfor]

Fiat Grande Punto 2006
Car won't start - Key code fault (Padlock symbol) on fascia stays on
Key fob opens doors remotely Lights Radio work OK Any point in changing key fob battery?
Had clutch replaced 2 weeks ago Something disturbed???

 

[John202020]

Do you have the spare non remote key?