Key replacement

[Cool Jesus]

Who?

Sorry, that was directed at you. I'll get of my iPhone and go to a terminal, pain in the rear doing this on the phone. If your in Sydney ill post a couple of good locksmiths that may help you. But your looking at upwards of $100 for your particular fix.

[Mr156_2.0]

Yes please. I'm in the Fairfield area

[Steve S]

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.

Did they just "copy" the key you took in or did they have it programed to the car? I would assume these cars have a rolling code, can anyone confirm?

[Cool Jesus]

Yes the 156 came out with the rolling code, doing away with the master key setup. As such, I believe reprogramming extra keys required a diagnostic tool, not sure if using the security codes achieves the same result.

Try these Locksmiths to get a feel for pricing. The key blade and a new copied transponder should hopefully not be an issue for them, mind you the above may prove otherwise. Getting the alarm buttons to work will most likely require a diagnostic console at a dealer or Alfa mechanic to accept the button codes for the alarm... haven't really researched that side of key copying mind you (at least you should be able to key lock and start the car).

Here's a handful to get you started, let us know how you go with the keyless entry part of your predicament. There isn't much available on the web regarding this issue.

http://www.prvlocksmiths.com.au/services/

http://www.cslocksmiths.com.au/cs-automotive-locksmiths-sydney

http://www.bensonslocksmiths.com.au/page/auto_transponder_keys.html

[Cool Jesus]

Here's a couple more

http://www.innerwestsecurity.com/inw_wp/Pages/INW/Automotive.aspx/

http://www.hitechautoelectrical.com.au/new_car_keys.html

[Mr156_2.0]

thanks ill give it a go and let you know what happens

[festy]

I wonder if an approach similar to the original playstation's mod chip would work on the immobiliser?
From my (limited) reading, the ECU requests a "code message" from the immobiliser, which replies with an encrypted version of the key's transponder ID.
The ECU decrypts this and checks if the ID matches one of the key IDs programmed in (stored in i2c eeprom).
If it matches, the ECU replies with an unencrypted "All OK" message to the immobiliser, which will then let the car start etc.
So maybe all it would take is a small device that sends the "All OK" message to the immobiliser repeatedly?
   

[Mr156_2.0]

Yes could do.

[Mnolan]

The replacement key that I had cut works the imobalizer, central locking and starts the car.

[Cool Jesus]

Well thats pretty good value for $120 MNolan. Not sure how that compares with other marque transponders, but sounds alright from what I've been reading.
What car?
Does it look like an Alfa key or different?

[dehne]

Mr156
I broke the key for my 156, but I fixed it by getting a plain key cut, then I used a grinder to cut the end so I could fit it into the fob, I have a thread some where on here with pics how I did it, I will try to find it when I get home and have the laptop handy

[Mnolan]

Yes it looks like an Alfa key, they had to order it in, exactly the same size and shape. The point is that I now have two fobs, I have put the original in a safe place and am using the clone. I have a 1999 spider.

[wantok]

Had to get a genuine replacement key for my 147 2lt TS last year from Euromarque in Brisbane.
Cost $450.00 including coding which was well worth it for my peace of mind as my old key was starting to play up.

Sold the car 6 months later and got a 147 GTA which of course only has one key!!!!

[Cool Jesus]

I know!!! What is it with second hand Alfas and only one key!

[colcol]

If you plan on selling your Alfa, you wouldn't spend $450 on a new key, as you will never get back the $450, something some people don't think about when buying a second hand car, how many keys does it have?, Colin.