Technical remote key battery

[matty23]

Hi guys,

My Panda's remote central locking system is playing up. I arrived home tonight and noticed the lock button didn't work, although the red signal light on the key did flash. I then had to pop out an hour later and noticed the car wouldn't unlock via the key, however once I reached my destination (just over a mile away) the remote locking worked fine. However, once I returned home again, the key didn't work again.

I believe it simply needs a new battery, but I've been reading online about having to 'sync' the key when a new battery is fitted. Not only that, but could there be any other faults?

car is a 59 plate, doubt it's had a new remote battery since new. Car has only done 21,000 miles.

Matt.

 

[Scotty100hp]

I've had my battery out on my 2009 keyfob several times and never had to sync anything afterwards. Mine had stopped working to unlock the car, when I took it apart the component that makes the click had become detached from the circuit board. Re-soldered it and been ok ever since.

 

[matty23]

Had my battery changed on the key and it worked well for a bit however it appears to have given up now altogether, I get no response from the key. The red light on the key flashes (if that helps).

I just hope I can get this sorted as it's a bit annoying, the key was fine all last week but then all of a sudden, it's just suddenly given up.

Any help!!!

Matt.

 

[The Beard]

My key is just about to give up the ghost, but then it is 11 years old and the car has covered over 100,000 miles, so I'm going to get a new key. I've replaced the battery in the old 156 and it worked pretty well, but, after a while it became unreliable so I stopped using the remote function.

This could be very inconvenient as it also sets and dis-arms the alarm, but having locked it once with the remote and then found it took a lot of clicking to unlock it, otherwise the alarm goes off if you try to unlock it manually, I stopped using the remote. But, as it lives in a garage that's not a big deal.

It's always possible that your key may have just come to the end of its useful life and need replacing, after all, nothing lasts for ever. We have a four year old Hyundai i30 at work that needed a new key after 18 months when it promptly fell apart. The Fiesta it replace also had a key that self-destructed after a few years.

Actually, that wasn't very helpful was it? Ahem, sorry about that.

 

[matty23]

So if the key has come to the end of its life and I get a new one is it simple to set it up? Or do I need to visit FIAT and use the Multiscan as I know it can be costly.

The rest of the car works great, no trouble at all. Just the remote locking which sometimes works, but like you say, numerous presses eventually gets the door to lock/unlock. However, I pressed the lock button about 20 times before but it didn't work, so I locked it via the door.

This hasn't been a slow problem, it's just randomly given up. The red L.E.D on the key works fine, flashing rapidly but no quick response from the car.

Matt.

 

[The Beard]

So if the key has come to the end of its life and I get a new one is it simple to set it up? Or do I need to visit FIAT and use the Multiscan as I know it can be costly.

The rest of the car works great, no trouble at all. Just the remote locking which sometimes works, but like you say, numerous presses eventually gets the door to lock/unlock. However, I pressed the lock button about 20 times before but it didn't work, so I locked it via the door.

This hasn't been a slow problem, it's just randomly given up. The red L.E.D on the key works fine, flashing rapidly but no quick response from the car.

Matt.

If you aren't desperate to replace it, hang fire and I'll let you know how I get on. There is a company recommended to me by a local garage that they use and they're based in Stockport. When I replace my key I'll let you know what the service was like.

For reference, you can find them on:

www.autolocksmithstockport.co.uk.

I'm intending to get one for the Panda and one for the 156. Going through a dealer is a bit painful when it comes to settling the bill.

 

[matty23]

I'll hang fire, it's just a bit annoying as I'm sure you know. I'm based in Liverpool but my parents live in Ashton-Under-Lyne so if they are good, I'll be sure to use them.

Thanks, Matt.

 

[matty23]

Hi,

I just wanted to add that my remote locking is working perfectly now. As you know, I fitted a new battery but it still played up, however after a long drive with the new battery in the key, I wonder if it was enough to sort itself out.

Either way, the remote works straight away with no delay. Thanks for your help and suggestions.

Matt.

 

[pdgibbs]

Hi, I have had a similar problem. One of the switches was rattling around inside the fob, I re-soldered it and put it back together, the red light flashes but no response from the car any more. I treated it to a new battery but to no avail.

It has been like this for a couple of months now and has not re-registered.

Does anyone know if there is some magic sequence of ignition and door locks that tells it to re-sync?

Thanks in advance,
Pete.