key code

need to recode alarm on one of alfa alarm key.read that it has a two before code that i believe is on cicuit board inside key as it is the same code inside both keys how do you go about recoding one key and will it **** up both keys if i play with sensor.anyone done this themselves with any success

You won't be able to do it unless you have one of the 4-digit number tags that was supplied with each of the original red keys when it left the factory.

To code a new key (or recode and existing key) against the alarm, you need to "open" it for programming. You do this using the little pen-tip button in the roof sensor to enter one of those 4-digit codes (password) using a specific procedure.

Out of interest, what makes you think the key needs to be recoded against the alarm? I take it you've checked the batteries are OK? When you hold the button in the red LED on the key should flash on and off. If it's a continuous light (doesn't flash) then the batteries are on their way out. You can also test if the key is sending a valid signal to the alarm by looking at the roof sensor...there is a green LED that will momentarily come on when you press the button on the remote.

I managed to get over this problem by making a unit to decipher the unlock code from the Fiat remote system for the Bravo etc.
As yet I have not been able to get my hands on a s/h receiver for the Alfa system. If anyone knows of a spare anywhere, then let me know and it could do us all some good.
B

Barry,

Might be worth popping over to the Alfa 145 Forum. There are a couple of members breaking their cars (look in the for sale section). One of them may be kind enough to donate the receiver unit to you for research purposes (or for a small fee).

This seems to be one of the big headaches with the 145 / 146 alarm system - what to do when one of the keys no longer operates the central locking / alarm even though the batteries are OK. Most people are stuffed because the original owner of the car never passed on the 4-digit code tags when selling it on so reprogramming a key against the receiver is impossible.

If there was an affordable solution to this (not the ~£600 replacement parts option that the dealers suggest ) then I think it could benefit a number of 145/146 owners.

i have the same problem. i contacted the local dealer and they say they can get the code at a cost of £15. you do have to provide registration documents. the following link may help.
http://forum.alfa145.com/index.php?s...#entry1043 40

Originally Posted by oskiee6

i have the same problem. i contacted the local dealer and they say they can get the code at a cost of £15.

You need to check with the dealer exactly what code they think they're going to get for you (or which one you've actually requested). The code the dealers can get you for £15 is the emergency start code for the CODE immobiliser and not the one for the programming new (or existing) keys against the alarm system.

To date I don't know anyone who has successfully managed to obtain the alarm code from a dealer. The only solution people are offered by the dealers is to replace the receiver unit with a new (virgin) one, replace the alarm box in the boot with a new (virgin) one, and also purchase a new key which will come with a new code tag.

If by some miracle you do manage to somehow get hold of the code for your alarm receiver then please post back and let us know.

I'm prepared to look at anyones receiver and reset the the usage counter back to 255 if possible. This should allow you to load in any remote for the next 255 door openings.
No charge, just postage.

When seting the codes on Alfas there are 2 levels of security, Simplified and Protected, the simplified is for the factory so that any key will unlock the car and allow them to disarm the immobiliser, the protected level is setup on receipt of the car at the importer/dealer and set's the car to the set of keys to be sold with the car.

After it is set in protected, you have to follow the Manual opening sequence to the letter to programme in any more keys, this is not an operation I am willing to write on here as there are too many tea leaves about and if you vary one bit from the procedure you will balls up your alarm system. I don't want to be to blame for that and geting it sorted by the dealer afterwards would cost you a fortune.

But I do have the operation guide right in front of me and it's 27 pages of pure gold.

Originally Posted by Smaky

But I do have the operation guide right in front of me and it's 27 pages of pure gold.

...which is in the following links if anyone else wants to read about it

• Alfa 145 Anti-Theft Device/Alarm
• Alfa 146 Anti-Theft Device/Alarm

The difference between the two is that the manual for the 146 contains an additional page for diagnosis of the rear door contacts. Other than that the rest of the manual content is the same for both cars.

Originally Posted by GialloEvo94

You need to check with the dealer exactly what code they think they're going to get for you (or which one you've actually requested). The code the dealers can get you for £15 is the emergency start code for the CODE immobiliser and not the one for the programming new (or existing) keys against the alarm system.

To date I don't know anyone who has successfully managed to obtain the alarm code from a dealer. The only solution people are offered by the dealers is to replace the receiver unit with a new (virgin) one, replace the alarm box in the boot with a new (virgin) one, and also purchase a new key which will come with a new code tag.

If by some miracle you do manage to somehow get hold of the code for your alarm receiver then please post back and let us know.

i tracked down the retainer group who hold data on all alfas, the following was thier reply:

Thank you for contacting us.

All the codes for our vehicles are kept by a security company called "The Retainer Group" (www.retainagroup.com). This company hold all the codes on a secure database which can only be accessed by authorised bodies. In the case of Alfa Romeo, the database can be accessed by our dealerships.
In order to get the code for your car, please contact your nearest dealership, providing proof of ownership of the vehicle. Below I have supplied the contact details of the nearest garage to the postcode you provided:


CHRIS VARIAVA

431-461 NOTTINGHAM ROAD
BASFORD
GB - NOTTINGHAM NG6 0FB
0115 855 3040 / 0115 855 3044



If you would like to search for an alternate garage, there is a helpful "Dealer Locator" option on our website - www.alfaromeo.co.uk

Kind Regards.

Barbara Taylor
Alfa Romeo Customer Care.

Originally Posted by oskiee6

i tracked down the retainer group who hold data on all alfas.

Ahhh...you're the same person who posted on Alfa145.com...

http://forum.alfa145.com/index.php?showtopic=12143

Your last post on there stated the same email but that was back in the middle of March and you didn't come back with any more info so I assumed it was a lost cause. Are you any further forward with this?

I would be interested to know if they can indeed provide the code for the alarm or if it's actually all just a myth. I know they have the emergency starting code for the immobiliser CODE on a central database because other owners have successfully obtained this through dealers but so far no-one I know who has had the same propblem as you has managed to get the alarm code and it wasn't through lack of trying.

My personal view is that Alfa don't have the alarm codes stored away anywhere but that's just me being sceptical. However, I would love to be proved wrong because I don't have the codes for mine either.

Please keep us updated (either on here or on Alfa145.com) and let us know how you get on.

The 27 pages of pure gold are not much good if you cant get the codes from Alfa. They're not much good for a thief either, you cant drive the car off without the key whatever you do to the remote, and anyone can get into a car with a brick.
I have to ask the question why do dealers say they cant get the unlock code if they are in fact available?.
It will be interesting to see if they are available, though I suspect that "All the codes for our vehicles" really means "all the codes that we have for our vehicles".

Originally Posted by GialloEvo94

Ahhh...you're the same person who posted on Alfa145.com...

Pcb For 146 - Alfa Romeo 145 - 146 Forum

Your last post on there stated the same email but that was back in the middle of March and you didn't come back with any more info so I assumed it was a lost cause. Are you any further forward with this?

I would be interested to know if they can indeed provide the code for the alarm or if it's actually all just a myth. I know they have the emergency starting code for the immobiliser CODE on a central database because other owners have successfully obtained this through dealers but so far no-one I know who has had the same propblem as you has managed to get the alarm code and it wasn't through lack of trying.


My personal view is that Alfa don't have the alarm codes stored away anywhere but that's just me being sceptical. However, I would love to be proved wrong because I don't have the codes for mine either.

Please keep us updated (either on here or on Alfa145.com) and let us know how you get on.

other commitments did take over but i am on a mission to keep my 146 as near to factory standard as possible. i will visit my local dealer and keep you posted.

i believe the code is inside the master key.it has a 2.followed by 4 numbers.i heard somewhere about the 2 relating to which alarm it is.makes sense to put code inside master key.like the treasure buried beneath your feet.....blimey this post is getting worse than the da vinci code lol

Originally Posted by ryezy

i believe the code is inside the master key.it has a 2.followed by 4 numbers.

No it won't because the master key has nothing to do with the alarm system. The master key is for the CODE immobiliser only and is only useful when you need to program new or existing keys against the CODE immobiliser. The alarm is a completely independant system to the CODE immobiliser.

Originally Posted by ryezy

blimey this post is getting worse than the da vinci code lol

yes it is

got in touch with local dealership. they say the retainer group only hold data for code 2 cars (newer cars i presume). however they say so long as i have a master they can order new keys at a cost of £80 and for another £30 program them to my car. this seems to contradict a lot of what people are saying here. i will keep you posted.

Originally Posted by oskiee6

got in touch with local dealership. they say the retainer group only hold data for code 2 cars (newer cars i presume).

No surprises there then

Originally Posted by oskiee6

however they say so long as i have a master they can order new keys at a cost of £80 and for another £30 program them to my car. this seems to contradict a lot of what people are saying here. i will keep you posted.

I guess you will be the guinea pig then

The dealer will need the Master key to program the new Red keys against your CODE immobiliser but I am very intrigued to know how they are also going to program those new Red keys against the (separate) alarm system without the (separate) code to open up the protected programming mode of the alarm receiver.

Once you've ordered the new keys and been to see the dealer, please let us know the outcome of this.

thought i should feed back after speaking to chaps from wad wolverhampton : WAD Alfa Romeo - Wolverhampton, West Midlands . they reckon its not worth chasing codes as the system for older cars can be currupt and not able to read matching codes. thier advice get a new seperate alarm so have a seperate fob and get new keys. so this is what i may do. if anyone has any suggestions please feed back.

So it's actually as we already previously thought and Alfa don't actually keep a log of the alarm codes anywhere at all for the 145/146 cars sold in the UK which basically means that what they told you in the email they sent you was clearly a load of old carp

Well, if nothing else has come out of this, at least we now know one thing for sure which is that you CANNOT get the codes for the alarm system from Alfa if you don't have the 4-digit code tags that came with the keys that were originally supplied with the car.

Why don't you get Barry to have a go at hacking into your current receiver unit (see his previous posts in this thread) as you have nothing to lose with an already broken system and it would prove whether or not this is actually achievable as a potential solution for any other owners facing the same problem in the future.

I'd be happy to have a look.

Originally Posted by Barry

I'd be happy to have a look.

in the interest of all 145 & 146 owners i would like to take your offer please email me at oskiee6@ntlworld.com so we can proceed.