Key replacement

[Mnolan]

Hi just wanted to share, I was told by the dealer that it was not possible to copy a key if you don't have the master, wrong, I tried all the locksmiths in Canberra with no luck, and then tried a small business in Queanbeyan, cost me $120 but it works fine.

[Steve S]

Does your old key continue to work too?

[Mnolan]

 I wanted a spare as the dealer told me that I would be up for $4500 if I lost my key. Both keys work fine.

[Neil Choi]

I wanted a spare as the dealer told me that I would be up for $4500 if I lost my key. Both keys work fine.

Pardon my misunderstanding, so the dealer is quoting to supply you with a spare car to fit your existing key!!!

Correct me if I am wrong.

[Mr156_2.0]

Sounds like they are selling a complete car. I got an engine for $700 so I guess for that much it is for a whole car

[colcol]

With out of control prices like that, i wonder if dealers ever think why they don't sell any spare parts, and everyone is buying from Ebay and the UK, i purchased a genuine Commodore remote key the other day for $120, why is Alfa's so expensive?, they most likely all come out of the same Bosch factory, Colin.

[Neil Choi]

All figured out. 

The dealer is going to supply you with a 24K GOLD key which is about 3 ounces in weight (I just weigh mine, I have a 5 figure balance), at the current gold price of ~$1500/ounce, that is about right, $4500.  Plus you will need to have it programmed to your car.  So I guess the dealer is not a stealer after all.

Regards and guess I was wrong after all.  My apologies.

Oh be ware, 24K gold is a bit soft but won't rust.

[Mr156_2.0]

I think it is diamond encrusted as well with a bunch of class D emerald cut

[Mr156_2.0]

Lesson learned. Break you key, buy a new car. The key on a Alfa is so important. It's a main part of the engine. Buy the sounds of it I would rather my car start to burn oil then break my key

[Mnolan]

Yeh I know it sounds unbelievable they told me they would need to replace the whole computer security system, I'm no tech head I not sure why it had to be so hard. If that was the case, you loose your key and then have to throw away the car. Not sure i have a lot of faith in dealers but what other options do we have .

[dehne]

I had a key cut for my 156 for about 8 bucks, although this did not start the car on its own when I put the fob near it it worked, so in looking at a way to alter it, will post if I find one

[Cool Jesus]

A lost key certainly isn't the end of the life of your beloved Alfa, although as many may, only having one transponder key is walking along that fine line. At worst, if you only have one transponder, there are locksmiths that can replicate a spare key with chip for the $$$ mentioned here, there are threads about for this. The $120 odd price sounds ok to me to have an immobilised Alfa. Dehne I've seen a post somewhere where an owner removed the chip from his one and only key and secured it near the transponder ring. He pointed out, obviously, that immobiliser function was effectively gone, however you could then cut any amount of $8 spares to start the car. If the key has alarm and central lock buttons, there's also aftermarket than can remedy this quite cheaply too,  albeit you now have an alarm fob attached to the key ring.
I'm currently running the gauntlet with only one transponder key for my Spider. Hopefully I'll get around to duplicating it before its lost, otherwise I'll be looking at a new ecu boxes with keys from a wrecker. Alternatively you could look at a whole salvage car for the same money and have a shit load of spares to boot as I've done with a 147.

[Mr156_2.0]

I have bought a key 2nd hand exactly like mine. The series 1 156 red rubbish. I want to see if someone can cut the key part and install it. Then adjust the frequency till it works to unlock the doors. It can't be impossible and it can't cost that much.

[Cool Jesus]

Whereabouts in NSW are you?

[Mr156_2.0]

Who?