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Technical Key fob battery life

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Technical Key fob battery life

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MadAlicesDad

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After about a week of ownership, the key fob for my daughter's 500 stopped working. I replaced the battery and all was ok again.
It lasted about three days so I replaced the battery again. This one lasted two days.
Both were from the same packet so it could be a batch of dodgy batteries, but does anyone have any alternative thoughts? Could a button be stuck so it transmits all the time?

Mike
 
Are you certain your batteries are not fakes ? I bought some off e bay and they lasted about as long as yours !
 
Sounds daft try some from the pound shop, put them in and try the remote, then use a different key for a week, then try then remote fob again? I buy Maxel from Ebay and have proved to be genuine quality items. If they still go flat suspect the remote, check the rubber buttons are not permanently pushed in due to heavy handed use( replacement rubber buttons are available )

Also check the battery to see if its really flat, and its not poor battery contacts, changing the battery temporarily fixing the connection?
 
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I was suspecting the buttons as I semi-dismantled the fob to see how to replace the case with the new one when it arrives, but if one button were permanently pressed I would expect the others wouldn't work?

The batteries were from Lidl, usually good quality stuff but could be a bad batch. I'll try a different brand and see what happens.

Mike
 
Yep agree (buttons )and yes Lidl ones should be fine so look at remote and or contacts
 
portland_bill said:
I'd suspect the buttons.
My Panda remote is still using the battery it came with, and I bought it in April 2010. The fob does not show any evidence of being opened, so quite likely the batteries are original, 11 years old.
Click to expand...

Me too (or an internal short).

Has the fob ever got wet? Fiat parts & water just don't naturally mix.

My 500 & Panda remote fobs are now 7yrs old, used regularly and still work just fine; I've owned both cars from new.
 
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Not so much a battery issue as I have changed them and it didn't help but has anyone else noticed how crap the range the remote unlock is on the new facelifted version. Our old car would unlock from far further distance than the new one which you almost need to be in touching distance of for it to work :confused:
 
Maybe they use the same.module across the range.

My 1.2 stilo was quite good... could open it from say 40 to 50 meters away and further if i pressed the key against my head... but my 1.9 multijet is poor... less that 6 meters... i have to walk right up to the car :(.

Im wondering if the atenna is in the a pillar... the module is meant to be in the roof near the interior lights... but i can hear something moving in the drivers a pillar (like a wire swinging around) need to investigate but never got round to it.
 
Tried a different brand of battery and again, dead after 3 days.
I've been quoted £170 for a new remote key, is this a reasonable* price?

* I know it's not reasonable to charge over £150 for a small piece of plastic and metal, but I'm sure you know what I mean!

Mike
 
MadAlicesDad said:
Tried a different brand of battery and again, dead after 3 days.
I've been quoted £170 for a new remote key, is this a reasonable* price?

* I know it's not reasonable to charge over £150 for a small piece of plastic and metal, but I'm sure you know what I mean!

Mike
Click to expand...

Have you checked if the buttons are sticking?
New empty fobs are available on Ebay, they have new buttons and you swap your innards over. Be very careful with the immobiliser chip. It is a small glass phial, easily broken. Then you are stuffed.
 
John202020 said:
Sounds cheap to me
Click to expand...

You have expensive tastes! :)

All the buttons work when the battery is replaced, unlock, lock and boot.

I have dismantled it and don't think the rubber 'buttons' could hold down a switch; they are discrete PCB tactile switches with a positive click, and not the sort on a TV remote where the rubber is conductive and directly makes the circuit. That said, the switch could have failed internally but other than soldering on new switches, I can't see how to check this.
However she got a new fob casing and rubber buttons for her birthday so I've just fitted it. Maybe it will sort the problem but I doubt it.
Otherwise her birthday money will be needed...

Mike
 
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MadAlicesDad said:
However she got a new fob casing and rubber buttons for her birthday so I've just fitted it. Maybe it will sort the problem but I doubt it.
Otherwise her birthday money will be needed...

Mike
Click to expand...

Didn't work, battery dead in 3 days :(
 
Got a new fob and key on Saturday with Express Key Services in Bristol. Not genuine Fiat but you'd never know apart from the badge. All done within 45 mins for £170 and he gave me the key code and car code in case I ever need them again.
I've used the company before and wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.

Mike
 
MadAlicesDad said:
Got a new fob and key on Saturday with Express Key Services in Bristol. Not genuine Fiat but you'd never know apart from the badge. All done within 45 mins for £170 and he gave me the key code and car code in case I ever need them again.
I've used the company before and wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.

Mike
Click to expand...

Intriguing that he could get the codes. Perhaps Fiat will release them to trusted locksmith businesses.
 
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