Can you get a blank key cut?
- Thread starter jsmoke
- Start date
Never had an issue getting a local key cutting place to cut my own supplied blank. Programming is entirely down to if you can do it with or without tools.
MK4 Golf platform (like my TT for example) only requires the use of an existing key in the ignition and the key you want to program used to lock the door (with the key) then pressing the unlock button to pair.
The other thing you'll have to consider is any immobilizer chips.
MK4 Golf platform (like my TT for example) only requires the use of an existing key in the ignition and the key you want to program used to lock the door (with the key) then pressing the unlock button to pair.
The other thing you'll have to consider is any immobilizer chips.
What do you mean, that the key chip I bought was the exact model as what I need?
No. If the car has an immobiliser then it will typically have a little glass capsule that contains a chip which corresponds to the immobiliser in the car. This is picked up by the immobiliser ring in the ignition barrel with RFID (or similar).
This is completely separate from the RCL logic circuitry in the key’s circuit board that is used for locking/unlocking the doors, this will have to be the same frequency as the old key, so if yours is say a 434MHz key, it would need a 434MHz replacement, a 420MHz one wouldn't work for example.
This is completely separate from the RCL logic circuitry in the key’s circuit board that is used for locking/unlocking the doors, this will have to be the same frequency as the old key, so if yours is say a 434MHz key, it would need a 434MHz replacement, a 420MHz one wouldn't work for example.
Yeah but cars have had this for 20 years so it goes without saying that I would need a transponder chip in the key fob. I wondered why'd you'd ask etc.
he said that because your, unqualified reply, implied you thought a purchased key was sufficient
Having "a" transponder chip in the key is not the same as having one that's actually paired to the immobiliser. "The same" doesn't equal "will work".
Again, using my own example. I wanted to replace the keyfob housing as the keys I got with the TT looked like a dog had used them as a chew toy. I swapped the transponder chips from my keys to the new housings, then re-paired the new electronics. I also swapped over the blades, so didn't need to get one cut.
So with that said, if you have a spare key to take a paired transponder out of, why do you need a blank cutting?
Lost key?
So then you have no spare, already paired immobiliser chip, which as I said back at the start of the thread, complicates things. As you've still not said what car it is I've no idea if its a trivial matter to get resolved or not. Programming the fob and getting the key cut is the easy bit.
Caporegime
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I had a key on my Suzuki that snapped off (really bad design). Bought a new blank off eBay and chucked the guts in. Most places refused to cut them because they are used to fleecing old people and wanted to charge me £50 for a £5 key. Managed to find one shop to cut it but wouldn't offer any guarantee. People are really miserable these days.
I see you can clone keys simply by putting one key in then the new blank key. I think I'm right also in saying there's a master and slave key and you need the master before you can clone another slave. Is this correct?
I've read that keys can only be programmed/paired once then never again but can't you also delete keys from the cars ECU, I know this would require an obdii key programmer though.
Do what's the deal with cloning, it seems simple, just put in a key(the master?) then switch to ON then put in the new blank key, or something along those lines?
So
1) Do I need a master key
2) Can keys be repaired
I've read that keys can only be programmed/paired once then never again but can't you also delete keys from the cars ECU, I know this would require an obdii key programmer though.
Do what's the deal with cloning, it seems simple, just put in a key(the master?) then switch to ON then put in the new blank key, or something along those lines?
So
1) Do I need a master key
2) Can keys be repaired
Agree £50 is OTT, but equally the shops that just mirror&profile an old worn key, you can end up with something that is unreliable, versus 'professional' kit, where they know the exact dimensions for each manufacturer and cut it like a new key .. if I had to replace the ignition barrel because of incorrect size that would be disasterous.
Soldato
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I don't think you've mentioned the make or model of car.
Some cars have master keys, some don't. Some you can pair yourself, some need suitable equipment plugged into the car.
The last two Fords I've had you could add/remove keys yourself as long as you had another working key. IIRC Ford cust the blank I bought from eBay FOC.
The Fiat 500 my wife is currently driving needs a dealer or someone else with the equipment. I wanted a third key for it but didn't bother when I saw the cost.
Some cars have master keys, some don't. Some you can pair yourself, some need suitable equipment plugged into the car.
The last two Fords I've had you could add/remove keys yourself as long as you had another working key. IIRC Ford cust the blank I bought from eBay FOC.
The Fiat 500 my wife is currently driving needs a dealer or someone else with the equipment. I wanted a third key for it but didn't bother when I saw the cost.
A car we bought 2nd hand came with two keys. For some reason I didn't check the spare in the ignition (only the doors).
So the master opens and starts the car, the "spare" only opens the doors. Turns out the spare doesn't have a transponder so won't get past the immobiliser.
Our local Timpsons wanted £60 to supply and copy a new fully functioning key with remote fob, with a good chunk of the cost reprogramming the new transponder in the fob.
Ford wanted £140+ IIRC.
So the master opens and starts the car, the "spare" only opens the doors. Turns out the spare doesn't have a transponder so won't get past the immobiliser.
Our local Timpsons wanted £60 to supply and copy a new fully functioning key with remote fob, with a good chunk of the cost reprogramming the new transponder in the fob.
Ford wanted £140+ IIRC.
This was my experience also. I only had one key for previous mitsubishi (bought at auction) which was fine however the doors locked themselves after a period of time, with no spare I was paranoid it would lock my only key in.
I wanted to get a new one cut, literally just to open the door (still had a mechanical lock) I knew that it wouldn't run the car, but no one would do it.....
I've also had a similar experience. Chains are the worst.
I found another method if your brave or like tinkering with things and don't mind a potentially bricked ecu. To remove the ecu board then read/write directly to the eeprom chip via PC/serial connection. Basically your clearing the key codes in the eeprom allowing you to use the ecus built in reprogramming option. Ie just put to key in to the ignition for 5 seconds.
What do you think, would you ever try something like this?
https://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Immobilizer-Hacking-for-Lost-Keys-or-Swapped-E/
What do you think, would you ever try something like this?
https://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Immobilizer-Hacking-for-Lost-Keys-or-Swapped-E/