Can some helpful soul take a photo of their key please :)

I don`t usually stray into the 164/166 lounge so hello everyone!

As some of you may know, I have taken to fixing Alfa keys. This was mainly prompted by the failure of both of mine in quick succession

I have been happily fixing peoples keys via ebay for a few weeks now but only doing 156 and 147 red and black keys. I`d like to branch out to doing 164 and 166 keys but to do this I need to be sure of the designs that are out there and if at all possible, the pcb microswitch.

From searches it appears that there are the standard red and black keys, just like the 156, but having seen the insides of a 146 key (which is very different) I would like to be sure.

If anyone would be kind enough to take a photo of the inside of their Red key so I can see the pcb that would be very helpful If you can look on the blade and see if there is a little '2' or '3' stamped into it that would also help.

If anyone has a picture of a black key pcb then great but I`m being realistic here as they are harder to open so just a description (2 button? 3 button?) and the year of the car would do if you are squeamish about opening it.

Thanks very much if you can help - very much appreciated. I`ll also give you 10% discount on a repair if you are the first to post a pic of a key that I can use and that hasn`t been posted before

Anyone even able to tell be what colour their key is for what year, and how many buttons it has?

I have a 166 W reg and the key is red with 1 button, hope thats some help to you

1999 T reg. Red key with one big black rubber button.
Pops open to reveal a microswitch on PCB. Also has a v small red LED.

2000 166 3 litre, red key fob, springloaded fold out key, 2 buttons, one for locking unlocking car, one for the boot

2001 166 3 litre lusso, 2 black keys, both with 2 buttons (doors and boot)

Whilst not wishing to contravene any official secrets, and just because I have my appetite whetted, curiosity aroused,a couple of questions for Chris. Are you performing micro surgery on the 'dinky PCB's ? Are the microswitches problematic after continous use? Do you hot knife access some of the cases? Super glue to 'weld' them back together? Just very interested, that sums it up.:

Very interesting, thanks Guys.
The keys seem the same as the 156 with the same 2000 switch-over in design, except for Jabberwocky's which seems like an odd red/black hybrid.
If anyone ever gets the chance to photo the insides of a red key that would be very helpful.

ZF - Hiya fella, yes I repair the pcbs as the microswitches wear out, fall off and generally fall apart after a while. No need to knife the key open, both red and black are designed to open anyway so no need to be brutal and no need for glue. That said, I did get one that needed major surgery to repair the case and also needed internally rebuilding as parts had been lost. That was a satisfying one to fix as it was a basket case to start with and worked good as new at the end

Thanks for the explanation mate. Not touting or anything, just interested,: Not an easy occupation anyway, bit like watch repairs, so it's good that someone like yourself is able to apply themselves in this direction. I'll post mine on, signed for of course, should it require sorting. At the moment it seems, or rather they both seem ok.

Tell me does anyone hold the view that sometimes the 'key state' reflects the type of ownership the car may of had previously? If one is missing, carelessness? Bashed about, not bothered. Accidents apart of course. Just wondered?:

Originally Posted by jabberwocky

2000 166 3 litre, red key fob, springloaded fold out key, 2 buttons, one for locking unlocking car, one for the boot

Key fob???? I assume you mean something personal dangling from the key ring

i.e. not connected with the starting equipment at all


Chris was getting confused.

i understood a key to consist of the metal key itself and the plastic bit at the end being the fob, i may be mistaken of course, what i refer to as the fob is the bit the key folds out of which also has the 2 buttons on

Ok, key, blade, electronic remote, condition of the whole, as to whether it was in a good or not so good condition?: Anyway Chris, keep up the good work, the pics you posted previously of the 'tichy' PSB repairs was all good stuff.

Originally Posted by jabberwocky

i understood a key to consist of the metal key itself and the plastic bit at the end being the fob, i may be mistaken of course, what i refer to as the fob is the bit the key folds out of which also has the 2 buttons on

Then if you have a red 'fob', you do indeed have a strange hybrid key/plipper.


I always understood the fob to be (typically) a leather promo for the supplying dealer, or an identifier for the owner (eg an enammelled 166 symbol)

Yep, by fob I do mean the plastic bit that the blade sticks out of, not a dangley bit with a picture of your mum/son/dog/car

Yes, red fob with two buttons is most unusual.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e2...g?t=1175979154

my keys

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e2...g?t=1175979569

also found this in my photobucket account still looks good