Lost one of my keys. Any suggestions on how to get a replacement? I'm assuming the new OEM is a ripoff. Can I get a used one and have it reprogrammed?
pablovenice
you can try a locksmith that is modern but I have read no reprogramming is possible. Dealer can cut by VIN and key tag
If you have a Ace Hardware. I ran across this ad, the other day. Not sure all of them do this key service.
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No. Key must be precoded to the car. I spent 6 months trying to find alternatives. Get it from the dealer and spend the money.
ga2500ev
I've ordered a key for a 2012 500 Sport and a 2015 500e. First one I ordered straight from a Fiat dealership for about $180. Second one I ordered online for $160. But when I took it to my Jeep/Dodge dealer cause its closer than the Fiat dealer, they said they couldn't program it even though I was willing to pay them so I still had to take it to the Fiat dealership for programming. They cut the key based on your vin so you basically have to go through an OEM whether its a dealer or official mopar online.
It seems the risks are so high with not having a second key — and being sure that both of them have good batteries — that I will have to cough up. I want to make sure I spend as little as possible, and this conversation seems to have petered out. So, just to make sure: Can anyone give the name of a Fiat dealership in Southern California that gouges people less on this? OC Fiat charged half what the LA dealerships were on a pre-purchase inspection. I’m hoping it might work that way with keys, too. OC Fiat wants $280 per key. Does anybody beat that price? Secondly, did anyone have any recent success with Ace Hardware or any other locksmith in getting an infallible key, purportedly at 60% dealereship rates? Thanks in advance.
$280 isn't terrible for a replacement key. It's expensive, but you don't have a lot of options. A locksmith can only cut the physical key but they can't program the transponder.
One of the laughable things about any serious probing on this is that these Fiat dealerships don't know their backsides from their elbows when it comes to pricing.
I joined up, buying a car, understanding that. I think the 500e is a viable car, certainly for the next 6-8 years, and I'm pretty sure I got one of the good ones.
These dealership guys, including a lot of their service departments, act like they're skedaddling tomorrow. I don't believe that. I don't think they can get away with that legally. I know I'm thumping my chest here, so go ahead and deflate me if I'm wrong. But from what I've seen in working this problem, I think they're going to have to come through with prices that are sane.
In other words, I think what I got from a lead tech yesterday, that he's worked for Fiat for more than a decade and that he expects to hang on for a few more years, does make sense.
We'll all do better if we all press them. So,a couple hours of phone calls showed that these dealers really don't know what to charge for a key. I got answers all over the map. I didn't divulge who was giving me the lowest offer, but I did say, "Hey, look. I have this offer from your competitor. Why should I pay more? Invariably the guy I was talking to started trying to dicker with me.
As a group, they're caving.
If you talk to a service or parts supervisor and press them on the prices they're asking, they roll their eyes. But they're car people. They know this isn't fair. They try to blame the capricious prices on Fiat and Chrysler. The fact is, they know it isn't fair, or even consistent. All of us should press them on what they're charging and why.
I joined up, buying a car, understanding that. I think the 500e is a viable car, certainly for the next 6-8 years, and I'm pretty sure I got one of the good ones.
These dealership guys, including a lot of their service departments, act like they're skedaddling tomorrow. I don't believe that. I don't think they can get away with that legally. I know I'm thumping my chest here, so go ahead and deflate me if I'm wrong. But from what I've seen in working this problem, I think they're going to have to come through with prices that are sane.
In other words, I think what I got from a lead tech yesterday, that he's worked for Fiat for more than a decade and that he expects to hang on for a few more years, does make sense.
We'll all do better if we all press them. So,a couple hours of phone calls showed that these dealers really don't know what to charge for a key. I got answers all over the map. I didn't divulge who was giving me the lowest offer, but I did say, "Hey, look. I have this offer from your competitor. Why should I pay more? Invariably the guy I was talking to started trying to dicker with me.
As a group, they're caving.
If you talk to a service or parts supervisor and press them on the prices they're asking, they roll their eyes. But they're car people. They know this isn't fair. They try to blame the capricious prices on Fiat and Chrysler. The fact is, they know it isn't fair, or even consistent. All of us should press them on what they're charging and why.
Yes, generally it "has" to be a Fiat dealer. In your case, I'd price at your lock smiths first. I checked.
We have 3 lock smiths locally that can make an additional key. IIRC, "my guy" charges $120 for the key, plus $60 for programming... you can save ordering the key from Amazon. Those keys claim (and look) to be Mopar, but one is never sure.
He can't cut keys if all keys have been lost. He said the BCM is limited on the number of keys. I don't recall if he said if 3 could be added aftermarket, or a total of 3 (one extra). I think the reason he can't cut is that an existing key (for non-dealers) must be used to pull the programming codes.
He simply could not cut a 3rd key for my '18. Apparently the programming had changed, or maybe the FOB. (I didn't ask.)
We have 3 lock smiths locally that can make an additional key. IIRC, "my guy" charges $120 for the key, plus $60 for programming... you can save ordering the key from Amazon. Those keys claim (and look) to be Mopar, but one is never sure.
He can't cut keys if all keys have been lost. He said the BCM is limited on the number of keys. I don't recall if he said if 3 could be added aftermarket, or a total of 3 (one extra). I think the reason he can't cut is that an existing key (for non-dealers) must be used to pull the programming codes.
He simply could not cut a 3rd key for my '18. Apparently the programming had changed, or maybe the FOB. (I didn't ask.)
Sudaval, you are correct that some service centers will take all they can. I use a "trust but verify" system, especially for stuff like this, but my dealer usually has fair pricing. They do charge about 20% more than other locations, but they also keep track of all work done. That's nice when a part fails a year (or 8) down the road.
abenusa, when programming with AlfaOBD, it's a good idea to have a trickle charger on the battery. I don't know why, but the computer needs a full battery charge and peak voltage. (That's from guys who know the system better than I do.)
You can Google "Fiat 500 68091228AD". (I think that's the correct part #.) $110 is from Athens Dodge, but you would need to call to verify fitment, naturally. I'm sure they could give you the proper parts number, or call Fiat's national parts line. As you say, several countries make these replacements.
Don't buy a used key. As I understand it, they can't be reprogrammed, like we could in the "old" days.
abenusa, when programming with AlfaOBD, it's a good idea to have a trickle charger on the battery. I don't know why, but the computer needs a full battery charge and peak voltage. (That's from guys who know the system better than I do.)
You can Google "Fiat 500 68091228AD". (I think that's the correct part #.) $110 is from Athens Dodge, but you would need to call to verify fitment, naturally. I'm sure they could give you the proper parts number, or call Fiat's national parts line. As you say, several countries make these replacements.
Receiver Modules, Keys, and Key FOBS.. 2015 Fiat 500 1.4L I4 M/T POP HATCHBACK | Athens Dodge, Athens GA
2015 Fiat 500 1.4L I4 M/T POP HATCHBACK Receiver Modules, Keys, and Key FOBS.
www.moparpartssurplus.com
Don't buy a used key. As I understand it, they can't be reprogrammed, like we could in the "old" days.
Thanks.
1) I meant get a cheap non-transponder copy made just in case, so that after loosing your only transponder, you could open the door with the copy, alarm sounds, pop hood, disconnect 12V. Still possible BCM destruction?
2) In this scenario with one remaining transponder key, I guess you could just USE that one to start & drive, then always use cheap non-transponder keys to lock it in the car, hidden in the glovebox, under a cup in a holder, under a seat or mat, etc, etc, etc...
1) I meant get a cheap non-transponder copy made just in case, so that after loosing your only transponder, you could open the door with the copy, alarm sounds, pop hood, disconnect 12V. Still possible BCM destruction?
2) In this scenario with one remaining transponder key, I guess you could just USE that one to start & drive, then always use cheap non-transponder keys to lock it in the car, hidden in the glovebox, under a cup in a holder, under a seat or mat, etc, etc, etc...
That's what I'm unsure of. Still stuck though because the car will never be started again without an authorized key and one has to have an authorized key in order to program new keys into the BCM.
I did that for a while before I got my second key. One advantage is that locking the car using a key doesn't activate the alarm system. But what I really was talking about was essentially permanently mounting the remaining authorized key in the car, then only using non transponder keys to turn the ignition and lock the car. This loses all alarm protection and makes the car more susceptable to theft. But a permanently mounted transponder is much less likely to be lost and non-transponder keys cost one tenth the price of properly programmed transponder ones.
ga2500ev
Thanks for clarifying.
I wonder if there's space to glue an entire transponder key inside the steering column cover.
I wonder if there's space to glue an entire transponder key inside the steering column cover.
Great! Thanks! So that's a solution IF you don't mind sacrificing security to save $280 on a spare transponder key:
If you only have 1 transponder key, to avoid frying your BCM if you lose that one, glue it inside the steering column cover & use cheap non-transponder keys to lock, unlock & drive.
If you only have 1 transponder key, to avoid frying your BCM if you lose that one, glue it inside the steering column cover & use cheap non-transponder keys to lock, unlock & drive.
One way to cheat is remove the chip from any remaining key and glue it close to the transponder reader inside the plastic shroud then from here on out you can use any abundant aftermarket keys non chipped or whatever to your liking. Only down side is obviously it’s easier to circumvent your cars security features but the way I look at it, if they want it bad enough they’ll take it anyway.
Can you explain why loss of remote functions? I’ve done this with a Nissan Sentra of the past and remote programming still works just disable the transponder part of it.
Yea but isn’t the transponder and remote keyless still separate systems, meaning you can program another remote to the car but just not the transponder portion of it. At least that’s how it is with Nissan and Toyota vehicle’s I’ve worked on like a consumer can easily program the keyless remote themselves but not the transponder portion even if the key is all in one design like ours. All I’m saying is if I embed the transponder I should be able to purchase couple of aftermarket keys that don’t have the transponder but has the remote fob electronics and should still be able to lock and unlock with a second remote. Not sure how fiat differs then all other makes in that regard.
Just recently I needed to replace a key. $300 CAD post tax. It took a while to arrive (it arrives precut and from what I understand, pre-programmed), but then the shop "programmed" it in 15 minutes.
It's exactly as I described. You will have to get a new Body Control Module installed and have 2 new keys cut. $1400 is about the right price for that service from the dealer.
This is why I posted the warning to never activate the alarm with the last key. The damage is catastrophic when the last key is lost.
While I understand the frustration of the payout, it is a security measure designed to make the car inoperable on theft without a valid key.
Search through "Fiat all keys lost." and you'll see the same discussion over and over. The BCM must be replaced and only the dealer can do it.
I hope you can get your situation resolved.
ga2500ev
This is why I posted the warning to never activate the alarm with the last key. The damage is catastrophic when the last key is lost.
While I understand the frustration of the payout, it is a security measure designed to make the car inoperable on theft without a valid key.
Search through "Fiat all keys lost." and you'll see the same discussion over and over. The BCM must be replaced and only the dealer can do it.
I hope you can get your situation resolved.
ga2500ev
Yes, my key was lost (I still had a spare though). The shop only neeeded my VIN to order a new one.
Yeah, it might be the case. However how does the system know that there are zero authorized keys?
If the manufacturer knows the code to BCM, they can produce a new electronic key just like they precut the key before shipping.
If the manufacturer knows the code to BCM, they can produce a new electronic key just like they precut the key before shipping.
This seems to be a very important lesson, learned the really expensive way by some. ga2500ev or anyone else please correct any of the following:
If at any time you are down to only one transponder key & you don't get a backup for about $380, losing that last key will cost about $1400 + towing to a dealership.
To avoid those costs you could get 1 or more cheap non-transponder copies, glue the transponder key inside the steering column cover, & use the cheap copy to lock/unlock/start. The alarm won't arm, & it would be possible to hotwire, but a thief won't know that, so they'll probably already be prepared to just slim-jim & tow it (normally needing to pop the hood to yank a 12v terminal to shut off the alarm).
If at any time you are down to only one transponder key & you don't get a backup for about $380, losing that last key will cost about $1400 + towing to a dealership.
To avoid those costs you could get 1 or more cheap non-transponder copies, glue the transponder key inside the steering column cover, & use the cheap copy to lock/unlock/start. The alarm won't arm, & it would be possible to hotwire, but a thief won't know that, so they'll probably already be prepared to just slim-jim & tow it (normally needing to pop the hood to yank a 12v terminal to shut off the alarm).
Got it. I was under an impression that the key arrives pre-programmed and pre-bound, and the tech just bills his 15 minutes checking if it works.
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