keys

[Micrashed]

My Vectra doesn't 'plip' and when opening the doors using the key, the alarm sounds until you put the key into the ignition. I have been told this is a dealer only job, so obviously this ain't happening and it can stay as it is annoying my neighbours and making people in car parks think I'm TWOCing it.

B

Does it have a sensor under the bonnet? Remove the large gob of rubber on the bonnet edge that pushes the switch down when the bonet is closed and the system then thinks that the bonet is open and wont arm, ergo wont sound the alarm.

 

Maverick had this problem - not for long, lump of rubber hurled into the wheelie bin. No more alarm, no more flashing lights.

[robinmasters]

Time for a more autoshite solution. I ordered a cheapy blank key from ebay for £6 delivered, which I took to a key cutters and had him copy the profile of the original key onto it. "you know it wont work, right? it needs the transponder chip too" he asked. Yeah, let me worry about that, man.

 

So at home I split open the original key and removed the transponder which is a little black plastic spec half the size of my pinkie fingernail and removed the steering column shroud. After a little trial and error with positioning it next to the pickup coil, I superglued it to the ignition barrel. 

Now both keys will happily start the car. Granted a screwdriver would also start it, but meh - you cant have everything.

This is the answer. Bypassing the immobiliser thing altogether would be better, but probably stupidly complicated.

[Pillock]

VAG can often be programmed to plip by a sequence of pressing buttons and turning the key in the door. For the immobiliser, just get a blank one and a key cutter like Timpsons can program it. No dealer needed.

[dave21478]

This is the answer. Bypassing the immobiliser thing altogether would be better, but probably stupidly complicated.

When I was fiddling with it, each time I waved the chip by the coil there would be a clunk from a relay near the instrument cluster.

IIRC the immobiliser unit is fixed to the top of the instruments so getting it apart and a blob of solder over the appropriate relay contacts would probably sort it.

I considered this, but then realised that if I was wrong, that would be it irreversibly buggered.

[Barry Cade]

Rovers should come with an keycode, 4 digits IIRC so you can input the code using the drivers door lock and it de activates the immobiliser until you use the plip again. VAG cars can be programmed to match a key, most diagnostics can do this now, including Ebay VAG COM. If your Vauxhall doesn't plip- switch on the ignition then press the lock button a couple of times, then lock, then unlock. You may be lucky. You can buy a blanked Fiat ECU for less than 50 quid if you don't have the red key and you can get blanked Renault ECU's for about the same. Not the problem it once was...on older stuff anyway.

[Taff]

 

 

And then there is stuff that is sold with a red master key or whatever - something that needs kept in a safe place - how are you supposed to know if a car should have one of these, and what are they for exactly anyway? does it matter if you dont have one?

 

that got me thinking. My 'Scort came with three keys and here they all are

 

 

 

 

I'm using the one with the right and the larger black one on the left has it's own small (non-functioning) torch built in. But what's the significance of the red key?

[Conrad D. Conelrad]

The red key is used to program the transponders in replacement keys. This is done by putting the red key and the new key in the ignition in a certain sequence. 

[Asimo]

A long time ago, when I was a junior Plod, out on the beat, I was approached by an elderly lady, in tears because she had locked herself out of her car.

Fortunately it was a BMC product, blue Morris 1100.

I removed the cap from my Bic Biro, shoved the clip into the door lock, turned......

 

One happy old lady.

 

Those were the days.

[Spiny Norman]

Rather surprisingly my crappy £400 V40 came with both original keys with remote fobs, both of which work.

Quite a few of the cars I owned when I'd just started driving had separate keys for the doors and ignition, and often for the glovebox and fuel filler too, but my record for a car that should only have had one for all the different locks was a Mk2 Cavalier that needed a different key for every external lock on it, a total of 4.

The perils of parking in a Glasgow city centre car park all day.

[Hendry]

My Vectra doesn't 'plip' and when opening the doors using the key, the alarm sounds until you put the key into the ignition. I have been told this is a dealer only job, so obviously this ain't happening and it can stay as it is annoying my neighbours and making people in car parks think I'm TWOCing it.

Is it a Vectra C? And do the buttons actually "click" when you press them? If not the microswitches are worn, this happened to both the keys for my dads old Vectra C, my mate who works on the services desk at the local Vauxhall dealer advised to split the fob and pack in between the rubber buttons of the case and the circuit board microswitches with paper to make the contact again. If the buttons do work but dont do anything, have you tried putting the key in the ignition and pressing the buttons to resync the fob and see if this works.

 

Anyway I've got "keycare" on my insurance, extra tenner a year and for a small excess if you lose one of your car keys and don't find it within 3 days you can make a claim for the cost of new keys plus coding, programming. Recovery of the car to a dealer/locksmith and so on. Never had to use it but for a tenner you can't go far wrong.

 

PS some Timpsons branches must be able to not only problem keys to work immobilisers (they used to use software you inserted the original key in, read the info and copy to new key) but also to remote central locking systems as they advertise this service outside their stores now and last time I was in they hasd genuine Vauxhall flip keys for Astra H/Corsa D, Peugeot 206 genuine Pug remote keys, genuine Kia remote keys and genuine Renault Clio mk2 remote keys etc hanging up on the wall.

[Taff]

The red key is used to program the transponders in replacement keys. This is done by putting the red key and the new key in the ignition in a certain sequence. 

 

thyanks for that, I'll keep it safe

 

The Galaxie has 6 keys in total but I don't know if any are duplicates or what. It appears to have one each for doors, trunk, ignition and glovebox plus two random others

[AlabamaShrimp]

My fiesta has 2.one for the ignition and one for the locks. As it has no steering lock I assume it was stole many moons ago.

 

But as the drivers door only unlocks with the key not locks it again, I have to carry another spare as I keep locking myself out with the keys in the ignition

[vulgalour]

I think all of my sheds only have one key, I don't think I've ever owned a car with more than one key in fact.  When I got a new key cut for the Ledbury - '97 vintage - the key-cutter was adamant it needed a transponder due to the age.  On challenging him to find where the transponder was in the original key he admitted I must be right and made me a new key.  New key was far better in the doors, but the ignition keyhole was so worn you could have probably turned it with a baguette, your finger or just a very strong thought.

[DLR]

Current Lord Sterling transport; Mercedes E280 came 1 key. It was also something I was wary of. Thankfully, I managed to buy 2 uncut old-style Mercedes keys that will be cut in the near future.

Something else that annoys me is when a car comes 3/4 different keys that open different locks. Currently my slumbering 820E has something similar going on.

Mo, are the keys for the 820E still on the same ring as when you got it? If so the 4 keys are actually two sets, if that makes sense? One key for ignition/door I think (the large flat one) and the grey bendy key fits the boot and the lock on the floor for boot flap, plus glovebox. The other two were copies I had done at Timpsons as even though I didn't drive it I hate the idea of having only one set. Priorities were all wrong!

 

(this is assuming you've not had chance to try them out by the way, apologies if you already know about keys for your own car!)

[twosmoke300]

If you have an older Honda with a red key ffs don't use it. Its a learning key ONLY and if you use it without the diag system plugged in and asking for it you will need a new immob control unit .

[Richard]

 

But as the drivers door only unlocks with the key not locks it again, I have to carry another spare as I keep locking myself out with the keys in the ignition

 

That sounds to me as if somebody has put a passenger door lock in the driver's door. Ford locks can be locked with any key but, in theory, only unlocked with the correct one. If you put a door lock in the wrong side you end up with a lock that unlocks with any key but only locked with the correct one.

[NorfolkNWeigh]

When the XJ40 first got the Tibbe locks, I pulled up at a posh Mayfair restaurant one night to drop off my boss.

Double parked outside was a brand new BRG Sovereign with my mate Harvey standing next to it in the pouring rain.

He came over in a panic saying ' I was just looking at my Sierra key and wondered if it would fit....'He'd managed to lock it with the engine running,then discovered they don't unlock.

Luckily I was able to pull the wire out of my spiral bound Road Atlas and pull the lock up on the drivers door,you can't do that with a TomTom.

That sounds to me as if somebody has put a passenger door lock in the driver's door. Ford locks can be locked with any key but, in theory, only unlocked with the correct one. If you put a door lock in the wrong side you end up with a lock that unlocks with any key but only locked with the correct one.

[cort16]

My Puke doesn't need a key inserted into any of it's orifices. If you've got the keys in your pocket you just press a wee black button the door or boot lid and it locks and unlocks the car. Also it'll start with just the keys sitting in your pocket or hand bag (if you is a burd). I can't get my head around the keyless start it just doesn't feel right but the button on the door, well I think that's a pretty excellent idea especially if you've got your hands full of shopping/rolls of mig wire and can't dig your keys out your pocket.

[Joey spud]

There is a certain high end 4x4 that despite costing mega money still struggles with its key fob going awol.

The manufacturers answer is to make you enter a four digit code by twisting the key back and forth in the door lock and to find your code number you have to peel off the brake pedal rubber 'cos its printed underneath it.

 

Beware also of jump starting a Honda with the key in the ignition as it's quite happy to wipe the key as i have found out to my cost.

 

Also had a Focus recently that wouldn't recognise the fob and weirdly i couldn't lock my van either, long story short after taking the battery out of the blokes new wireless pound land type door bell they both worked fine again.

[xtriple]

I've had to have 'keyless entry' disabled on my Insight 'cos I park too close to the flat and the bugger never locks! Modern day problems what?

 

In the old days it was the norm to have a key fob FULL of keys, all required to do some job on the heap - door, drivers, one key. Door, passengers, one key. boot, one key. Fuel flap, one key. Ignition switch, one key.

 

Oh, and there was always the trusty Krooklock!

[cort16]

That's what I like about the system on Juke you actually have to press a button on the door to unlock/lock. You know it's locked but you don't have to fumble around looking for your key to unlock it.

[Vince70]

I've just got this message from Timpsons as I only have one non remote key with my Audi so I was thinking about getting a new remote key.

 

So it looks like it's worth phoning your local store for a price for a new key as it varies on price from store to store.

 

Hi Vince,

 

Apologies for the delay in responding to your enquiry. I’m happy to inform you, that would be a service we would be able to provide for you. Below is the link to the Timpson website, where you can locate your nearest Timpson auto specialist branch. These branches have the ability to cut remote car keys. If you type in your postcode in the search bar, it will bring up your nearest branch.

 

http://www.timpson.co.uk/services/70/car-remote-keys

 

It is the branches themselves that price up each individual key/job. If you either contact your local branch or pop in store they will be able to price up the key for you and complete the process for you. If you have any problems locating your local remote key branch, then just email me back and I will try to locate it for you and email it back to you.

 

If you have any further enquires, don't hesitate to contact me back.

 

Thanks

 

Darren Miller

 

Timpson Auto Department

[Barry Cade]

My Puke doesn't need a key inserted into any of it's orifices. If you've got the keys in your pocket you just press a wee black button the door or boot lid and it locks and unlocks the car. Also it'll start with just the keys sitting in your pocket or hand bag (if you is a burd). I can't get my head around the keyless start it just doesn't feel right but the button on the door, well I think that's a pretty excellent idea especially if you've got your hands full of shopping/rolls of mig wire and can't dig your keys out your pocket.

It's not so great when someone drops their car into your garage for an MOT,leaving it running in front of the ramp, then disappears down to the local caff for an hour... with the key in their pocket.

[Barry Cade]

 

Beware also of jump starting a Honda with the key in the ignition as it's quite happy to wipe the key as i have found out to my cost.

I've had the same, but was informed it was only 56 plate 5 door Civics that do it? It was a 56 plate 5 door Civic strangely enough..

[twosmoke300]

55 to 07 ones can all do it .

[The Moog]

Missus moogs 1997 civic has just got one key. Did these come remote c/l fobs? If so can they be programmed by me?

 

Tempted to get one from ebay if it will work

[Hendry]

I'll be honest I don't remember any relatives who had masses of keys for their old bangers in the 80s, most I remember was 3 for my old mans '86 Maestro which someone had tried to break into in 1992 not once but twice, both front door locks gubbed, he ended up with the original Austin bendy key for the ignition, glovebox, fuel cap and boot lock and 2 different Rover bendy keys for the 2 new door locks.

 

Thinking back it was odd that they didn't supply 2 locks the same so he only had 2 different locks or even matched to the original locks so the same key could be used, certainly now if you went to a dealer for new locks like he did you'd get matched ones to the originals, my 52 plate Astra mk4 had to have a new ignition barrel due to wear and a new drivers door lock as it had been tampered with by someone trying to break in, no other locks other than the boot and I didn't fancy climbing in the boot to get in if the remote key ever packed in so off it went to Vauxhall both times and came back with just my original key and locks cut to it.

[Micrashed]

My grandfather had his 1966 Minx stolen so often he removed the barrel from the dash and rigged up a hidden switch. Lefy a bunch of multicoloured random (connected to nothing) wires hanging out of the barrel hole and never locked it.

 

Came out many a morning to discover different combinations of wires twisted together.

[mat_the_cat]

Oh and you can't programme the new key unless you have two old keys (without paying Ford to do it with their system)

 

A decent locksmith should be able to do it - when I had the Focus my 'local' one added an extra fob (bought from eBay) to the car's system containing the immobiliser chip, plus a new key cut, for £30. Apparently they have to pay a subscription to Ford for their system, plus a fee every time they use it.

[cort1977]

VAG stuff from 2003 on started moving to the CANBUS system which made the whole replacement key fob thing more expensive.   Seems like the after market is getting to grips with it now; a new key cost me a fortune a few years ago for a Transporter.

 

My Cortina has a key for each front door, fuel cap, tailgate and ignition.   Which is a Rootes key for some reason.   Not usually a problem as I hardly ever leave it anywhere dodgy but a right pain to unlock all the doors afterwards if I do.