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Alfa Keys (again)

4K views 8 replies 7 participants last post by  longprest 
#1 ·
Hi

I`m new to the forum so i`m looking to tap you knowledge.

Last week my partner had her handbag stolen and in it was my 2nd key for my 2001 156 2.4 JTD.This leaves me with 1 key, in typical fashion the button to control the central locking has today decided it needs pressing 3 times as hard to activate.

I have done a search on the subject but still a little confused and decided to post as technology changes daily.

What are my options available for replacing a key that will work the central locking/ alarm etc?

Is it possible to source a key off e-bay and have them re programmed to operate my car etc, i am reluctant to pay a dealer £200 approx if I dont have to (would rather use it for fuel)

Any thoughts guys

I appreciate it is an old chestnut but any ideas would e appreciated
 
#2 ·
:confused: Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!

Went down the eBay route myself and bought a secondhand key, then had to buy a new blade, fit it and then get it cut....after all this Alfa Stealer (who charge same hourly rate as Range Rover's etc) told me I needed a new key!? Feeling slightly disbelieving of them I went to an indepedent who said could get central locking working but would never start car as 'chip' inside was set at factory and only new key could be made with right chip!?
Unless someone on here can advise otherwise it seems only route is £200 for new key or claim for it on insurance! If this case though why so many keys for sale??
 
#3 ·
i believe the car is set to accept the key not the other way around but i doubt a dealer will admit that they can reprogramme the car to take the key otherwise they wouldnt sell another key. your original key can be repaired by a guy on ebay for i think £21 and he does a good job good luck
 
#5 ·
#4 ·
If you can get the key code from an Alfa dealer (they charge for the code) then a key can be coded to your ECU, it shouldnt matter if it is a 2nd hand key but you would need the blade cut to suit your ignition, these are available from ebay sometimes but advanced-keys.co.uk may be able to get one.
If you cant get a code from Alfa then there are other options such as having the immobilliser function removed from the ECU (means it has to be removed and sent away for a few days) so that you dont need a transponder key to start the car, also there are specialist lock smiths out there (i know of one in Guildford, Surrey) who can re code your control unit, the one near me charges almost as much as the main dealer though!!
Hope this helps, if you can get a code then the rest is easy, I can code keys from my diagnostic kit and lots of garages are getting key coding upgrades to their diagnostic kit these days.
 
#7 ·
I too was under impression car learnt the key and not the other way round but after all this 'chip' stuff not sure now, Indie told me that code was needed to make central locking work and didn't have anything to do with immobilsation that was all down to transponder chip..........told dealer that key had stopped working not that it was secondhand to replace missing one!
 
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