Hi guys,

So basically i was being really stupid and tried to open up my fiat grande 2006 punto key (the flip one) with a flathead screwdriver and i think i may have like touched the circuit board but i dont think i have damaged it, however i went about an hour later to turn on my car and its now been immobilised as i try to start the car and it trys to start then the padlock light comes on and the engine cuts.

Does anyone have any idea about anything, ive tried connecting the negative to a piece of metal and ive taken the battery out for a while, im leaving it overnight currently so have to wait and see tomorrow, if anyone else has any idea please let me know!

Tried the secondary key?

My car didn't come with a secondary key it just has a key for the fuel cap but that doesn't work to start the car or unlock it or anything

Oh sh...

I think, the immobilizer chip is in the key (not on the pcb) so you can't damage it somehow.

But I'm not so sure about that, never disassembled mine. Open it again and look again carefully :/

Do you have any pictures of the key inside?

I didn't actually end up opening it fully in the end so I believe I haven't done anything bad to the key, but it just sucks will I have to pay to get it recoded?

cmosfxx said:

Oh sh...

I think, the immobilizer chip is in the key (not on the pcb) so you can't damage it somehow.

But I'm not so sure about that, never disassembled mine. Open it again and look again carefully :/

Do you have any pictures of the key inside?

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The code chip/transponder is not par of the circuit bord.. that is only the remote part.
The transponder chip is encased in some sort of glass/ceramic and does not need a battery to operate.

Do you have any idea what I could try to sort it out? I've been ringing around and been quoted with prices for around 300 when the car is only worth around 1200, really considering to scrap it

aurick86 said:

The code chip/transponder is not par of the circuit bord.. that is only the remote part.
The transponder chip is encased in some sort of glass/ceramic and does not need a battery to operate.

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Let me know if you want to scrap it I'll come take it of your hands if you're local .

If it's anything like the Mk2 Punto key it's a little capsule which has a chance of falling out when taking it apart. Notice anything fall out when you did it?

emadul said:

Do you have any idea what I could try to sort it out? I've been ringing around and been quoted with prices for around 300 when the car is only worth around 1200, really considering to scrap it

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Are you sure the key that opens the fuel cap does not work? GPs come with two keys, one is a remote and the other "emergency" key is not. Have you tried it in the door/starter or did it come with a replacement fuel cap?

Im probably gonna just end up paying to have it recoded, i didnt even end up opening it in the end so nothing should have been damaged.

ChrisUK said:

Let me know if you want to scrap it I'll come take it of your hands if you're local .

If it's anything like the Mk2 Punto key it's a little capsule which has a chance of falling out when taking it apart. Notice anything fall out when you did it?

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I bought the car pretty cheap and so i have suspicion that the locks had been changed before, it only came with the remote fob key and a fuel cap key which doesnt fit the starter or door.

mikee d said:

Are you sure the key that opens the fuel cap does not work? GPs come with two keys, one is a remote and the other "emergency" key is not. Have you tried it in the door/starter or did it come with a replacement fuel cap?

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emadul said:

I bought the car pretty cheap and so i have suspicion that the locks had been changed before, it only came with the remote fob key and a fuel cap key which doesnt fit the starter or door.

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As chrisUK suggests, the transponder is a small separate unit inside the fob.


Check around the area you opened or tried to open the fob. The transponder lives just by the key blade, and is probably a small rectangular brick shape in grey.


ps To open the fob, use something like a Stanley knife blade to lever up the Fiat badge (its glued down). Under the badge is a small cross head screw. after removing it the case will come apart.

Edit: sorry just realised it is stuckto the circuit board, my bad


Very weird when i tried opening up the key last time i am positive nothing fell out of it, however ive finally opened it up totally including taking the screw off and theres no transponder in there?! i am sure nothing has fallen out

mikee d said:

As chrisUK suggests, the transponder is a small separate unit inside the fob.


Check around the area you opened or tried to open the fob. The transponder lives just by the key blade, and is probably a small rectangular brick shape in grey.


ps To open the fob, use something like a Stanley knife blade to lever up the Fiat badge (its glued down). Under the badge is a small cross head screw. after removing it the case will come apart.

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The immobiliser chip is on the circuit board. It's the chip with 14 legs on and either pcf7946 or pcf7947 written on it. It's normally the induction coil that the car uses to read the chip that gets damaged when trying to open the case. Easiest way to sort it would be to get your immobiliser chip de soldered and soldered onto another board. I have one here you can have if you can get someone to do the soldering for you.

It's the copper coil on the thinner part of the board that normally is damaged.

My circuit board looks exactly like yours, im not sure what options i have really now... :/

minirib said:

It's the copper coil on the thinner part of the board that normally is damaged.

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Open it again, look closely what is damaged maybe you can fix it

If you can't solder or know anyone that can do it for you. You'll probably have a mobile phone/games console repair place close to you that would swap the chip over to a new board for you for a small charge. PM me your address and I'll send you the one In the picture I posted. Or if your close by I'll do it for you for nothing.

Hi thanks for your kind offer, but i really dont think there is a problem with the board, and i guess i cant really wait a few days for the board to arrive,the board itself looks pristine, and the transponder seems in perfect condition too, is there anything that i can do, might have to just pay for reprogamming

minirib said:

If you can't solder or know anyone that can do it for you. You'll probably have a mobile phone/games console repair place close to you that would swap the chip over to a new board for you for a small charge. PM me your address and I'll send you the one In the picture I posted. Or if your close by I'll do it for you for nothing.

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Are you sure?
Even a tiny damaged trace on the pcb may be the cause