Technical Changed the key fob shell of my Fiat Sedici, won't start next day

[Fiat Sedici OM]

Hello guys, I recently changed the key fob shell for my mom's Fiat Sedici. I tested it after the change was done and the lock mechanism (the unlock form the transmitter stopped working way earlier, probably a faulty button) was working and the car also turned on. The day after the car is flashing the Service Vehicle Soon (SVS) Light and it will crank but wont start. According to the manual " If the light still blinks with the ignition switch turned to the "ON"position, there may be something wrong with the immobilizer system. Ask to your Fiat Dealership to inspect the system". Where is this immobilizer? in the old key fob shell? I can't revert the changes for a few weeks as my mom took the old shell away.

 

[portland_bill]

The key fob does two, separate jobs. The transmitter for the lock/unlock is one function, but the most important one is the immobilizer.
Inside the key shell is a tiny glass vial, containing a micrchip, like we put into pets to identify them. When the key is inserted into the lock, the car reads that microchip, and if it identifies it, it will allow the engine to start. Be very careful transferring it, as they are quite fragile once outside of their protective home in the fob.

All cars were originally supplied with two keys. Often the second key is a plain key, so no remote lock/unlock, but does contain the microchip. Does Mum have that hiding in a kitchen drawer?

 

[Fiat Sedici OM]

The key fob does two, separate jobs. The transmitter for the lock/unlock is one function, but the most important one is the immobilizer.
Inside the key shell is a tiny glass vial, containing a micrchip, like we put into pets to identify them. When the key is inserted into the lock, the car reads that microchip, and if it identifies it, it will allow the engine to start. Be very careful transferring it, as they are quite fragile once outside of their protective home in the fob.

All cars were originally supplied with two keys. Often the second key is a plain key, so no remote lock/unlock, but does contain the microchip. Does Mum have that hiding in a kitchen drawer?

Hey, thank you for the quick response. We do have a spare key, they dad has it in a city that is more than 4 hours away. My mom would come in a few days and I am hoping that the issue will be solved then, maybe I can reuse the whole front part of the shell where the immobilizer I guess is. I didnt see any glass vial inside the shell though, Are you sure is not welded inside the plastic?

 

[Fiat Sedici OM]

This is from a youtube video of the Susuki sx4 key fob battery change, there is no glass vial inside

 

[portland_bill]

I don't think the Suzuki one will help much, as there are different designs by different manufacturers. If there is a UK/EU immobiliser, there will be a microchip.
This is not a new problem, many people have raised this over the years on here. I've not taken mine apart, so haven't seen it personally, but there are many threads where others have had problems. Hopefully Mum has not disposed of, or damaged the remainder of the original key. If she holds it near the ignition switch, it will possibly recognise it, and allow the 'new' one to start the car. Some people have taped the microchip to the lock barrel, inside the cowling, but that does lose the security of it, so it does not have to be in the actual key fob.

 

[Fiat Sedici OM]

I don't think the Suzuki one will help much, as there are different designs by different manufacturers. If there is a UK/EU immobiliser, there will be a microchip.
This is not a new problem, many people have raised this over the years on here. I've not taken mine apart, so haven't seen it personally, but there are many threads where others have had problems. Hopefully Mum has not disposed of, or damaged the remainder of the original key. If she holds it near the ignition switch, it will possibly recognise it, and allow the 'new' one to start the car. Some people have taped the microchip to the lock barrel, inside the cowling, but that does lose the security of it, so it does not have to be in the actual key fob.

In a few hours a friend that lives in my mom's town is bringing me the old shell and I think I know where I could find the immobilizer, trapped inside the two plastic pieces.
I will keep you posted if you are curious about it.

Thank you!

 

[portland_bill]

In a few hours a friend that lives in my mom's town is bringing me the old shell and I think I know where I could find the immobilizer, trapped inside the two plastic pieces.
I will keep you posted if you are curious about it.

Thank you!

Taking apart the new shell will show you the place where the microchip lives.
Be very careful extracting the chip, it is very fragile.

 

[Fiat Sedici OM]

Taking apart the new shell will show you the place where the microchip lives.
Be very careful extracting the chip, it is very fragile.

Yes, the chip was inside the two plastic front plates, it was covered itself in a small plastic shell. I just installed in the new key fob shell and all good. The car is turning on. Thank you!