Purchasing a used car often comes with compromises, and in my case with a recently acquired 2012 Fiat 500 Sport, it was only supplied with a single key. Wanting the security and convenience of having spare keys, I decided to explore a cost-effective route by purchasing used key fobs online. My goal was to program these to my Fiat 500, and here’s a detailed account of my experience, including the challenges encountered and questions that arose.
To start, I sourced the necessary components online via eBay, specifically looking for items compatible with my 2012 Fiat 500. I purchased:
- Two used and pre-programmed Fiat 500 key fobs, ensuring they operated on the same frequency as my original working key.
- Two new, uncut key blades, designed to be compatible with the Fiat 500.
- Two new batteries to ensure the used key fobs had a fresh power source.
Upon receiving the eBay purchase, I proceeded to prepare the used key fobs for programming. This involved:
- Replacing the batteries in both used key fobs to eliminate any power-related issues during programming.
- Replacing the existing, cut key blades in the used fobs with the new, uncut blades. This was achieved by carefully punching out the roll pin on each blade holder, swapping the blades, and reinserting the pin.
With the key fobs prepared, the next step was to get the new key blades cut to match my existing key. I visited a local locksmith who provided key cutting services. He expertly cut the two new key blades to precisely match the original Fiat 500 key. To confirm the accuracy, the locksmith tested both newly cut blades in the exterior door lock and the ignition of my Fiat 500. Reassuringly, both new keys successfully turned the lock tumblers, indicating a correct cut and alignment. So far, the mechanical aspect of the key duplication was successful.
Now came the crucial part: programming the used key fobs to actually work with my 2012 Fiat 500. For this, the locksmith employed professional-grade equipment – an “MVP Pro” key programmer. This specialized tool, commonly used by locksmiths and connecting to the car’s OBD2 port, is designed for vehicle key programming and diagnostics. Following the MVP Pro manufacturer’s instructions meticulously, the locksmith attempted to reprogram the two used key fobs. This process involved utilizing the PIN code from the FIAT 500 PIN Code Card, which thankfully came with my vehicle documentation.
Despite repeated attempts – three programming cycles in total – the MVP Pro programmer failed to successfully reprogram the used key fobs. Each attempt concluded with the used keys remaining unrecognized by my Fiat 500. To troubleshoot, my locksmith contacted MVP Pro’s customer service to seek expert advice. Unfortunately, the customer service representative could not provide a definitive explanation for why the reprogramming was unsuccessful with these used keys.
Reflecting on the unsuccessful programming, my locksmith shared a similar experience encountered with newer Lexus vehicles. In that instance, a customer had also purchased a used, pre-programmed key online and attempted to reprogram it after replacing the key blade – mirroring my Fiat 500 situation. Based on these experiences, a theory emerged: vehicle manufacturers like FIAT (and Lexus) might implement restrictions that prevent locksmiths from reprogramming used keys using aftermarket tools. It’s speculated that reprogramming used keys might be intentionally limited to authorized dealerships, potentially as a security measure to deter vehicle theft. This could involve proprietary software or procedures accessible only to dealers.
This experience leads to a significant question for anyone knowledgeable in automotive key programming: Is it indeed the case that FIAT, and potentially other manufacturers, employ measures to block the reprogramming of used keys by locksmiths, reserving this function exclusively for dealerships? If anyone with expertise in this area could shed light on this, it would be greatly appreciated and valuable information for other Fiat 500 owners looking to add spare keys without incurring potentially higher dealership costs.
