General Key Fob (pebble) battery low

[chrisdoublel]

The pebble on my 500e gives battery low warning and the range to open is obviously affected (cannot open from boot without taking fob out of pocket or standing closer to the front door. Does anyone have advise on how I should get this replaced? I read you have to pay about £300 for a new one but I obviously just want the £1 battery inside it replaced. Also the closest fiat dealer is quite far from me so I don't really want to take a trip there if at all possible.

 

[gazz_bee]

The pebble on my 500e gives battery low warning and the range to open is obviously affected (cannot open from boot without taking fob out of pocket or standing closer to the front door. Does anyone have advise on how I should get this replaced? I read you have to pay about £300 for a new one but I obviously just want the £1 battery inside it replaced. Also the closest fiat dealer is quite far from me so I don't really want to take a trip there if at all possible.

Hi, the "wearable" pebble doesn't have a replaceable battery I'm afraid, making it a bit pointless IMO over the standard remote key fobs. Depending on the age of your car, I am aware that others have had the pebble replaced free of charge by Fiat under warranty. Incidentally, you may find that, when the key is resolved, the low battery warning on the dash might need to be reset by the dealer too.

 

[IanML]

I have an update - I went to my dealer to try to get a replacement wearable fob before the warranty ends, They were obviously aware of the issue and seemed to be fully briefed. They said that the fob does not have a battery per se, but the "chip" in the module stores electrical charge, and it is recharged when the system in "ON", provided the fob is in the receptacle in the central stowage. They assured me the warning on the display would be reset when the recharging was sufficient.

They also said they were aware that FIAT had rolled out a software update in some markets, but it did not apply in the UK. My guess is that the update suppresses the warning in the case of the wearable fob - what else could it be?

 

[chrisdoublel]

I have an update - I went to my dealer to try to get a replacement wearable fob before the warranty ends, They were obviously aware of the issue and seemed to be fully briefed. They said that the fob does not have a battery per se, but the "chip" in the module stores electrical charge, and it is recharged when the system in "ON", provided the fob is in the receptacle in the central stowage. They assured me the warning on the display would be reset when the recharging was sufficient.

They also said they were aware that FIAT had rolled out a software update in some markets, but it did not apply in the UK. My guess is that the update suppresses the warning in the case of the wearable fob - what else could it be?

If that's true then it seems madness for it to not be in the manual, thanks for the info I will start using as you suggest and hope it's true.

 

[chrisdoublel]

I have an update - I went to my dealer to try to get a replacement wearable fob before the warranty ends, They were obviously aware of the issue and seemed to be fully briefed. They said that the fob does not have a battery per se, but the "chip" in the module stores electrical charge, and it is recharged when the system in "ON", provided the fob is in the receptacle in the central stowage. They assured me the warning on the display would be reset when the recharging was sufficient.

They also said they were aware that FIAT had rolled out a software update in some markets, but it did not apply in the UK. My guess is that the update suppresses the warning in the case of the wearable fob - what else could it be?

I spoke to customer service again and they confirmed that the pebble contains a non rechargeable battery and that once it runs out, the key is effectively useless. He said it is not covered under warranty and they can do nothing for me. I'm wondering if anyone has advice on who I can complain to? Seems misleading to sell a car with 2 keys knowing that one will be useless in a few years.

 

[IanML]

I spoke to customer service again and they confirmed that the pebble contains a non rechargeable battery and that once it runs out, the key is effectively useless. He said it is not covered under warranty and they can do nothing for me. I'm wondering if anyone has advice on who I can complain to? Seems misleading to sell a car with 2 keys knowing that one will be useless in a few years.

Well, I have been recharging mine as instructed, and it seems to be recovering some power - it now works to support lock and unlock using the button at a range of 6ft from the window, whereas before it had to be almost touching the glass. But the warning is still displayed, so I think the jury is still out.

Your customer service chap may be relying on what the manual says. I have been doing some research, and recharging keyfobs are not unknown - apparently some Minis and BMWs have them - so it is quite feasible that ours are also rechargeable.

 

[chrisdoublel]

Well, I have been recharging mine as instructed, and it seems to be recovering some power - it now works to support lock and unlock using the button at a range of 6ft from the window, whereas before it had to be almost touching the glass. But the warning is still displayed, so I think the jury is still out.

Your customer service chap may be relying on what the manual says. I have been doing some research, and recharging keyfobs are not unknown - apparently some Minis and BMWs have them - so it is quite feasible that ours are also rechargeable.

When you say button do you mean the button on the door or on the keyfob because if you mean the key fob then you are using the standard key which has easily replaceable batteries. I'm talking about the pebble which has no buttons and is roughly 4cm long (inside the pebble housing)

 

[IanML]

When you say button do you mean the button on the door or on the keyfob because if you mean the key fob then you are using the standard key which has easily replaceable batteries. I'm talking about the pebble which has no buttons and is roughly 4cm long (inside the pebble housing)

I mean the button on the door, and I am talking about the wearable fob (pebble).

 

[chrisdoublel]

I mean the button on the door, and I am talking about the wearable fob (pebble).

Okay thanks that is encouraging then, I have also been doing that and it has got noticeably worse but mine is attached to my keys in a 3d printed mini case. Is yours in the original housing? I might switch it back to that and keep trying. It would absolutely make sense for it to be rechargeable but if it is its madness for there to be no documentation saying this and for their customer service agents to tell me it's now useless and I need to buy another

 

[IanML]

Yes, mine is in the original "pebble" case. But it is on a ring with the "emergency" mechanical key, and now you mention it, I wonder if it would charge more quickly without that. The keyfob with buttons has a mechanical key within it, but they didn't put one in the pebble, which leads me to wonder if that's the reason. I'll remove the ring and mechanical key and give it a go.

My hypothesis is that the technical author who wrote that part of the manual was either misinformed, or got hold of the wrong end of the stick, and now people are treating the manual as gospel. If that is the case, FIAT ought to realise they need to correct the manual, and notify all customers about the update.

The other daft thing is that the manual tells you you can keep the mechanical key in the stowage inside the recharging flap, which is madness from a security point of view, as anyone could open the flap, and use the key to get the car open.

 

[dantay999]

Yes, mine is in the original "pebble" case. But it is on a ring with the "emergency" mechanical key, and now you mention it, I wonder if it would charge more quickly without that. The keyfob with buttons has a mechanical key within it, but they didn't put one in the pebble, which leads me to wonder if that's the reason. I'll remove the ring and mechanical key and give it a go.

My hypothesis is that the technical author who wrote that part of the manual was either misinformed, or got hold of the wrong end of the stick, and now people are treating the manual as gospel. If that is the case, FIAT ought to realise they need to correct the manual, and notify all customers about the update.

The other daft thing is that the manual tells you you can keep the mechanical key in the stowage inside the recharging flap, which is madness from a security point of view, as anyone could open the flap, and use the key to get the car open.

I think it’s the plastic support for the metal key that’s inside the charging flap, I don’t think they are suggesting you leave the physical key in there? That would be crazy.

The removable plastic key support facilitates the use of the key so you can actually turn it to mechanically unlock the door in case the battery fails.

 

[IanML]

Yes, it's crazy.
Page 23:
"The emergency key (B) fig. 11 can be
housed in the charging compartment.
Open the charging compartment flap
and remove the holder (A) fig. 13. Insert
the key into the holder from the grip
side and refit the holder on the flap." (My italics)

Hence my remarks, above, about the technical author who wrote the manual.

 

[dantay999]

Yes, it's crazy.
Page 23:
"The emergency key (B) fig. 11 can be
housed in the charging compartment.
Open the charging compartment flap
and remove the holder (A) fig. 13. Insert
the key into the holder from the grip
side and refit the holder on the flap." (My italics)

Hence my remarks, above, about the technical author who wrote the manual.

That’s hilarious……I mean…maybe just tape it to the door handle to make it really simple!

 

[FiatLadyJsy]

IanML
You had more joy than me at our local dealer!
Where exactly do you place the pebble to charge it please ?

 

[IanML]

IanML
You had more joy than me at our local dealer!
Where exactly do you place the pebble to charge it please ?

On the shelf at the rear of the open bin between the front seats.

Bu way of an update, I used the shut off procedure (long saga, see this thread) and eventually got the "Keyfob Battery Low" warning to disappear. I though it might return if I used the pebble again, but it has not! So my hypothesis is that the recharging produces enough energy to sustain use, but not enough to reset the warning. This has some support from the German forum where someone opened his pebble module, removed the run-down non-rechargeable battery and experimented with a variable power supply to find the voltage which would reset the warning - it was, from memory, quite high, corresponding to a fresh battery.

 

[chrisdoublel]

On the shelf at the rear of the open bin between the front seats.

Bu way of an update, I used the shut off procedure (long saga, see this thread) and eventually got the "Keyfob Battery Low" warning to disappear. I though it might return if I used the pebble again, but it has not! So my hypothesis is that the recharging produces enough energy to sustain use, but not enough to reset the warning. This has some support from the German forum where someone opened his pebble module, removed the run-down non-rechargeable battery and experimented with a variable power supply to find the voltage which would reset the warning - it was, from memory, quite high, corresponding to a fresh battery.

Do you have a link to that German forum? I can't find any info myself but I'm very tempted to crack open the fob so I can install a battery housing and make battery replacement easy in the future.

 

[IanML]

Do you have a link to that German forum? I can't find any info myself but I'm very tempted to crack open the fob so I can install a battery housing and make battery replacement easy in the future.

The post about opening the pebble module is on page no 13 of this link. It suggests using an oven to melt the glue. I have also seen a suggestion to use a heat gun (the type used on heat-shrink tubing). I have tried neither, as my problem seems to be over. If you try it, please post some feedback. Good luck!

 

[murkle]

I've just managed to change the Pebble battery from the German instructions. Took a bit over an hour.

I tested once I'd removed the battery (Panasonic CR2032) and you can't then unlock/lock the doors but you can start the car if you put the Pebble in the "bin" between the front seats.

So I think the "put in in the bin to recharge" instructions are wrong

 

[chrisdoublel]

I've just managed to change the Pebble battery from the German instructions. Took a bit over an hour.

I tested once I'd removed the battery (Panasonic CR2032) and you can't then unlock/lock the doors but you can start the car if you put the Pebble in the "bin" between the front seats.

So I think the "put in in the bin to recharge" instructions are wrong

Good job, I managed to get the housing off but haven't been able to remove the battery as there is resin everywhere. I followed the instructions to heat to 110 but the resin remains hard, at 140 it's a bit softer but still mostly solid. What temperature and time did you use and did the resin ever change consistency? I am using an air fryer as its quicker to get to temperature and I assume more accurate

 

[murkle]

Good job, I managed to get the housing off but haven't been able to remove the battery as there is resin everywhere. I followed the instructions to heat to 110 but the resin remains hard, at 140 it's a bit softer but still mostly solid. What temperature and time did you use and did the resin ever change consistency? I am using an air fryer as its quicker to get to temperature and I assume more accurate

Fan oven, 110 C for 5 mins at a time. Maybe 5 or 6 times after getting it open

Had to slide penknife blade under and over the battery quite forcefully. After the battery is out I then still had to scrape a lot of glue from top and bottom contacts