First time in 44 years of Fiat ownership, one failed to get me home tonight

The red key refused to open the boot or the doors and then failed to allow the engine to start

I assumed it was the battery in the key so got a taxi to run me into Plymouth to get a new battery. Fitted it but it still failed to start the car.

Joined the RAC (ouch). Tech did his level best but could not do the job as I have never had a 4 digit code that allows you to re-set the key

Git trailered home eventually and fitted the spare (ordinary conventional) key and the car started immediately

What do do? any advice will be appreciated

I assume its the remote key that's not working? All the newer Fiats use remotes that have the immobiliser built into the remote circuit board. Unlike the older cars which have a separate sealed chip. The downside to this is that if your key gets dropped and something pops of the remote board,breaks or it gets wet. Then rather than just loosing the remote function you loose the ability to disarm the immobiliser as well.
Generally they are fixable though

Finally got a new remote key today.

It was not possible to "fix" the broken one and the new one cost me £227 via a good local Fiat garage. The Fiat garage was some £40 cheaper than the quotes form independents. All of them have to go back to Fiat for the hardware and for the various codes for the chips.

Add to that the cost of joining the Rac and the tow fee and this was a very expensive failure of a tiny damn chip. Oh for the days when cars were simple!

minirib said:

I assume its the remote key that's not working? All the newer Fiats use remotes that have the immobiliser built into the remote circuit board. Unlike the older cars which have a separate sealed chip. The downside to this is that if your key gets dropped and something pops of the remote board,breaks or it gets wet. Then rather than just loosing the remote function you loose the ability to disarm the immobiliser as well.
Generally they are fixable though

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Nah, I have a 2008 Grande Punto, and it came with 1 remote flip key and 1 old fashioned key when I bought it in 2014. A couple of weeks ago, I thought I'd best try the old fashioned key to make sure it works should I need it, and it both unlocks the doors and starts the engine.

Thinking on all this, if I had that oldfashioned key with me, I would have saved about £130 in RAC fees and towing costs plus 3 hours waiting in the freezing cold.
BUT is it wise to keep a spare key in the car that can open all doors and start the engine?
Anybody have thoughts on this?

fiat_freak said:

Thinking on all this, if I had that oldfashioned key with me, I would have saved about £130 in RAC fees and towing costs plus 3 hours waiting in the freezing cold.
BUT is it wise to keep a spare key in the car that can open all doors and start the engine?
Anybody have thoughts on this?

Click to expand...

I wouldn't do that. I always keep my spare key at home, so I know it's safe.

fiat_freak said:

Thinking on all this, if I had that oldfashioned key with me, I would have saved about £130 in RAC fees and towing costs plus 3 hours waiting in the freezing cold.
BUT is it wise to keep a spare key in the car that can open all doors and start the engine?
Anybody have thoughts on this?

Click to expand...

No. Do not keep any keys in the car, if it's stolen and the insurance company find out they won't pay out.

dombooth said:

No. Do not keep any keys in the car, if it's stolen and the insurance company find out they won't pay out.

Click to expand...

Exactly my thinking!

puntofan01 said:

Nah, I have a 2008 Grande Punto, and it came with 1 remote flip key and 1 old fashioned key when I bought it in 2014. A couple of weeks ago, I thought I'd best try the old fashioned key to make sure it works should I need it, and it both unlocks the doors and starts the engine.

Click to expand...

"Nah" ? Don't get you. Was referring to remote keys no mention of the non remote spare key which yes should start the car. The remotes on the grande have the transponder built into the circuit board and are more prone to failure.
Nothing on them that can't be repaired or replaced though.

minirib said:

"Nah" ? Don't get you. Was referring to remote keys no mention of the non remote spare key which yes should start the car. The remotes on the grande have the transponder built into the circuit board and are more prone to failure.
Nothing on them that can't be repaired or replaced though.

Click to expand...

Apologies, I misread your original post. Sorry about that!