Quite a few owners on the Fiat 500e Facebook group have reported this (after the battery was replaced). One FIAT dealership has suggested that the remote is sensitive to battery manufacturer, and they recommended use of Panasonic or Energiser. It may not be as daft as it sounds; some batteries have a slightly different profile to others so do not make as good contact with the key fob connectors as they should. Might be worth a try...
Message "Key FOB battery low" keeps coming
Hi,
a few months ago the message "key FOB battery low" popped up.
I instantly replaced the battery.
But the message stayed and since then it keeps popping up.
Some days every time I start the car.
Then again I might have a few days without message.
And all of a sudden it comes back again.
And so on.
Any idea?
Thanks, Joana
a few months ago the message "key FOB battery low" popped up.
I instantly replaced the battery.
But the message stayed and since then it keeps popping up.
Some days every time I start the car.
Then again I might have a few days without message.
And all of a sudden it comes back again.
And so on.
Any idea?
Thanks, Joana
1 - 18 of 18 Posts
Ah ok, interesting.
I bought the very expensive Duracell to make sure to have good quality. I'll get some Panasonic.
I wouldn't mind the message itself.
But the car keeps playing crazy (once in a while, not always). Like not driving because the key is not inside (of course it is) or not starting and telling me I have to put the key in the key compartment in the middle console. My friend used the small key (this sports key) and it happended twice that the car won't start. She had to go outside, close the doors, open again - and then it worked.
So it is more annoying than just a message...
Thanks for the idea, I give it a try and will report!
Joana
I bought the very expensive Duracell to make sure to have good quality. I'll get some Panasonic.
I wouldn't mind the message itself.
But the car keeps playing crazy (once in a while, not always). Like not driving because the key is not inside (of course it is) or not starting and telling me I have to put the key in the key compartment in the middle console. My friend used the small key (this sports key) and it happended twice that the car won't start. She had to go outside, close the doors, open again - and then it worked.
So it is more annoying than just a message...
Thanks for the idea, I give it a try and will report!
Joana
Have you any update on this?
I replaced the battery in the key, but still getting this warning message. I am wondering if it's because the pebble (wearable) key is perhaps low on battery?
Does anyone know if Fiat replaces the wearable key under warranty?
Thanks,
Alex
I replaced the battery in the key, but still getting this warning message. I am wondering if it's because the pebble (wearable) key is perhaps low on battery?
Does anyone know if Fiat replaces the wearable key under warranty?
Thanks,
Alex
Wishful thinking… FIAT really screwed up with the wearable key not having a replaceable batteryDoes anyone know if Fiat replaces the wearable key under warranty?
Thanks,
Alex
So far it is all ok, no messages anymore and no strange behaviour from the car (not wanting to start etc). Let's see.Have you any update on this?
I used Duracell but ordered both Energizer and Panasonic, so if the message pops up again - I'll give it a go with a different sort of battery as suggested.
I was wondering exactly the same thing.I am wondering if it's because the pebble (wearable) key is perhaps low on battery?
My friend is using regularly the pebble, but the message popped up with the pebble being inside the car....
Indeed it is a pity that one cannot change the battery, but I suppose that would be contraindicated with being waterproof.
Does anyone know how long the pebble last?
And - how complicated is it to order a new one? How long does it take and how much is it?
Joana
We have the same problem with our 2022 Fiat 500e. The dealers garage have no clue about the issue...
BTW, has the issue been resolved with another battery brand?
We have tried three brands without success.
We have tried three brands without success.
I started a new thread on this ( Sunshine - New problem) a couple of days ago, apologies did not spot this thread.
Pretty sure it's the car at fault not the key fobs as all 3 of mine produce the same message and all started at the same time. Starting to suspect an OTA update has taken place as some of my settings have changed - not absolutely sure but think some options within a setting have disappeared. Used the car several times yesterday and it worked fine so hopefully nothing more than a false message.
Pretty sure it's the car at fault not the key fobs as all 3 of mine produce the same message and all started at the same time. Starting to suspect an OTA update has taken place as some of my settings have changed - not absolutely sure but think some options within a setting have disappeared. Used the car several times yesterday and it worked fine so hopefully nothing more than a false message.
We also noted changed settings in the car at the same point.I started a new thread on this ( Sunshine - New problem) a couple of days ago, apologies did not spot this thread.
Pretty sure it's the car at fault not the key fobs as all 3 of mine produce the same message and all started at the same time. Starting to suspect an OTA update has taken place as some of my settings have changed - not absolutely sure but think some options within a setting have disappeared. Used the car several times yesterday and it worked fine so hopefully nothing more than a false message.
Firstly, it’s not the battery type as, for me, I the same message whether I use the remote or the pebble.
I took it to the fiat dealer and they kept the car for three days and then wrote me to say the car was ready. I went to pick it up this morning and it hadn’t changed at all… still getting the message. After making a fuss and asking what they had done in three days, they eventually owned up and said they had no idea what the problem is.
I’m just going to live with it and set myself a phone reminder to replace the battery every year or so.
I took it to the fiat dealer and they kept the car for three days and then wrote me to say the car was ready. I went to pick it up this morning and it hadn’t changed at all… still getting the message. After making a fuss and asking what they had done in three days, they eventually owned up and said they had no idea what the problem is.
I’m just going to live with it and set myself a phone reminder to replace the battery every year or so.
I just checked the manual, but can't find this, so maybe one of you can test it: Even with the key battery removed to simulate when it dies, you can still unlock (with the metal key), open, start, drive, charge, & lock, right?!
No. You can only unlock (and lock) with the metal key. It can’t start the car (no ignition lock inside the car into which you would insert the metal key)I just checked the manual, but can't find this, so maybe one of you can test it: Even with the key battery removed to simulate when it dies, you can still unlock (with the metal key), open, start, drive, charge, & lock, right?!
You should have been supplied 2 metal keys with the car (these open the driver’s door). You can store one of them inside the remote (the one with buttons).Which metal key is that?
Yes done that, though I only got 1. However, I don't see that I'll ever use it. If the 12V battery is flat, the door will open using energy from the main battery if one gives 3 rapid squeezes of the driver's door handle.You should have been supplied 2 metal keys with the car (these open the driver’s door). You can store one of them inside the remote (the one with buttons).
I was trying to make the same point as you did, but badly, that once you've gained access to the car by whatever means, the key is of no further use.
We find 1st Generation 500e owners often making false assumptions about the 2nd Generation.
It was more of a question than an assumption.
Often the battery is only used to lock/unlock, & no power is needed for the transponder to allow the car to start.
In that case, if you remove the battery, the car would still start. It just wouldn't lock or unlock, with the key's buttons.
Notice how the transponder of a dead key will still allow the door to open with 3 rapid squeezes. That implies that no power is needed for the transponder itself, so the same should be true for starting.
Someone please try it & prove me wrong.
Often the battery is only used to lock/unlock, & no power is needed for the transponder to allow the car to start.
In that case, if you remove the battery, the car would still start. It just wouldn't lock or unlock, with the key's buttons.
Notice how the transponder of a dead key will still allow the door to open with 3 rapid squeezes. That implies that no power is needed for the transponder itself, so the same should be true for starting.
Someone please try it & prove me wrong.
Sorry for the delay. As a potential future 2nd-gen owner I'm surprised that no current owners are also curious what will happen when their key battery dies!
I finally remembered to check my 1st-gen 500e, & as expected, the transponder allows it to start even with the battery removed.
I only have the one car to test, but my Toyota also started with no battery in the key.
I can't prove that the other key isn't just out of sight, but you could either take my word for it, or better yet do it with your own 2nd-gen & post a pic. You can see that the car is started, with "ready" shown at the left, even with the removed battery at my left fingertip, & the empty battery slot at my right fingertip. Click to enlarge:
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I finally remembered to check my 1st-gen 500e, & as expected, the transponder allows it to start even with the battery removed.
I only have the one car to test, but my Toyota also started with no battery in the key.
I can't prove that the other key isn't just out of sight, but you could either take my word for it, or better yet do it with your own 2nd-gen & post a pic. You can see that the car is started, with "ready" shown at the left, even with the removed battery at my left fingertip, & the empty battery slot at my right fingertip. Click to enlarge:
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