Technical Changing battery in Multipla keyfob

[penhalligon]

Can anyone tell me how to change the battery in a Multipla keyfob without it driving the car mad?

Mine was dying. I had to get it right up to the window to get it to work. So I undid the keyfob case, identified the battery, located a new one, inserted it, and closed the case. Job done I thought!

But no! When I pushed the button to unlock the car, it did, but the red light on the keyfob continued to wink furiously, sending the car into paroxysms of indecision! I found myself driving with my hazard warning lights flashing and the red light mounted on the air housing flashing furiously at me! And when I arrived at my destination and switched the car off, the burglar alarm went off and the key wouldn't operate the locks.

I phoned my local Fiat garage and they said bring it in and we'll fix it - for 54 quid! Surely changing a bloody battery should be child's play!

What have I done wrong?

 

[widemouthfrog]

Try spraying some contact cleaner on the microswitch in the key (pull the key apart again to get at the switch itself). Also, check that the legs of the switch are still soldered in place. They can easily break away, giving a dodgy connection.

 

[BikeDoc]

. . . What have I done wrong?

What, apart from buying an Italian car that relies so heavily on electronics just to start and run?

What year is it?
Does it have a key lock in the door?
If so, can't you just use that and not bother with the remote?

My '02 doesn't have remote lock/unlock, I don't miss it