Lost keys for my Alfa 156 5 speed man

[i.doyle@hotmail.com]

Hi I was wondering if any one could give me some advice please my children have lost my keys to my Alfa 156 5 speed manual it is a 1999 model and I don't have a dealership in my area any information in regards to replacing my keys or getting my car started I have been told I can replace my ignition barel the keys the code box and the ecu from another 156 5 speed man 1999 year model and it will start once again is this correct any help or info would be very appreciated Ty in advance regards Ian doyle


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[colcol]

I really don't know what to do in this situation, but try calling an Alfa Romeo Dealer, and tell them what happened, and they maybe able to check on the chassis number of the car, with Ateco/Fiat/Alfa Romeo/Chrysler records and find the key number and order one, wouldn't be cheap though.
Or you could call a locksmith, who might be able to come up with a solution, they deal with lost keys all the time, they would have worked out a solution by now, you would hope.
Or call an Independant Alfa Romeo Service Provider and see what they can come up with.
Or if all this fails, do what you suggested and get the keys, ignition barrel and an ECU from a wrecked 156, but you will most likely have to drill the shear bolts out of the ignition barrel to remove it from the steering column, on some cars the ignition barrel is held in by screws, that are screwed in and the heads of the bolts shear off when they are tight, to stop the barrel being removed, and the car stolen.
Let us know how you go, and when you sort it out, grab yourself a spare key for next time, hope this helps, Colin.

[Neil Choi]

You have three options as mentioned by Colin.
I will elaborate a little more if it helps without being repetitive as a friend of mine went through same before Christmas. 
Can order authentic AR key from Alfa dealer or through your independent Alfa repairer, coded to your car via computer, cost about $700 but a 3-4 weeks wait from Italy for the Alfa key.

Can get specialist locksmith to supply generic key with programmable chip to your ecu so that your new key will start car.  But your generic key will not be a remote so you need to manually lock car.  Cost about $500 and you have your key now.  My friend choose this option.

You can swap out the barrels and computers from another wreck but a bit of work and probably cost the same as replacing just the key.

Getting the barrel out of the ignition column is not that hard, just need a pointy cold chisel to knock the blind bolt to undo.

Good luck, it is a pain.


Interestingly, new Alfa's only come with one remote key and a spare non remote key which will not start car, also with Fiat's ie a 500.

[Mick A]

Don't forget if you do the barrel and key swap you'll need to swap door locks too.