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New Remote Key for Alfa 147

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3K views 27 replies 8 participants last post by  Alfa156Melb 
#1 ·
Hi,
I have just bought a 2003 Alfa 147 and loving the drive.

The previous owner only had 1 key - no remote - just a flip out key.

I chatted with the local Alfa Service centre and they have quoted me about $450 to get a new key from Italy and code it.

Questions:

1. Can we buy a used key on ebay and recode / recut the key?

if that's not possible,

2. Can we buy the key directly from Alfa in Italy for much cheaper and maybe just pay for coding/ key cutting locally ?

thanks for all your help..

Ananda
 
#28 ·
It's the spare - for some reason Alfa only give you one remote key, the spare being the same shape, just with no buttons.

It does have a transponder though, so it will start the car. Strange logic...
 
#5 ·
Thats usually the spare I think. Well it is on mine.
Although none of my buttons on my remote key work (Battery and the buttons work but does not connect to car). Think there are some loose wires in mine that look like it could be the antenna for it.

I would imagine if you dont have the key with remote features it will be quite pricey to get a new one and get it coded to the car from Alfa.
So much so that I've never bothered with it.
 
#12 ·
As in the other key thread today, a basic cut key will be handy if you lock your key in the car though.
It will allow you to get in, open the boot and unlock the steering, but you won't be able to start the engine or turn off the alarm.
 
#13 ·
I guess without remote locking there's no alarm arming going on?

In which case, cut a spare blade as suggested, then take the transponder chip out of your existing key and glue it to the inside of the steering column shroud by the ign barrel. Then if you do lose your key - no problem. Of course you will no longer have an effective immobiliser, but I think you could live with that.
 
#14 ·
Think I'd rather live without the alarm than the immobiliser.
And if the transponder is permantly fixed it wouldnt take much for a yobbo to put your window through with a manchester key (brick) and use a screw driver to start the car.
 
#15 ·
So your advice to the OP is to front up with the AUD450 for a new key? Or do nothing and hope he never loses the only key? Which is the option I have taken with one of our 156's which came with just one key and no alarm. But if the key ever does go missing, I'll be wishing I'd hidden the transponder chip in the steering column.
 
#16 ·
I'm not suggesting anything to the op as my recommendation.
I am simply making the op aware of what could happen. Personally its not my issue but i'd hate to have someone loose a car based on some forum information.
 
#25 ·
just as a curiosity if you lose your only key can you actually get a working replacement? remote, transponder and all?
Yes.
It is exactly the same as ordering an extra key, but any keys not present during the programming will be removed from the cars system.
But you'll have the additional cost of either transporting the car to the garage or paying the garage extra to come out to you.
 
#19 ·
I would think you would need to find a scrapped car and remove the ECU, keys and change the door locks to suit. Its not the end of the world but it could be a costly and time consuming job.
 
#26 ·
I think I was pretty clear that if you followed my suggestion "you will no longer have an effective immobiliser" and I think readers can work out for themselves what the risk is and whether that's a sensible option for them.

Older 156's and 147's may not be worth much more than the cost of a key, so many owners aren't about to stump up, including the OP. Therefore if you do lose your only key and transponder, you're stuffed.
 
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