colin Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 Need a spare non remote key for the van, local Fiat professional dealer quotes £300 to £310, have tried local locksmiths using www.autolocksmiths.net but still need to get key throu Fiat so not able to give a better quote. Any one got a key from elsewhere? My thoughts are to get a non chipped key cut just to use to get in van as it doesnt have a Fiat alarm to worry about, but will that upset system? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 Colin, There is a specialist company close to us but I've never had cause to use them... Duplicut. May be worth a call. Keith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted January 19, 2013 Author Share Posted January 19, 2013 Thanks I'll contact them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 colin - 2013-01-19 1:03 PM Thanks I'll contact them Wil be interested to know the cost. When I got new van last year with one electronic and one ordinary key I looked into this but like you say the expense put me of.......can't open with ordinary key because of alarm system going of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennyhb Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 £300 sounds OTT I thought the list price was £120 + programming charge making it £150 - £160.. I was quoted by Fiat dealer £150 it's £15 more if you don't have the key card, my mate got one at that price I didn't bother. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Peter James Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 colin - 2013-01-19 12:10 PM a non chipped key cut just to use to get in van as it doesnt have a Fiat alarm to worry about, but will that upset system? A non chipped key will open the door, but will not start the engine. The electronic engine management communicates with the chip through a coil around the ignition key socket. If it doesn't get the right code back from the chip the engine won't start. We curse all these new fangled electronics when we lose our key, but they have certainly made vans a lot harder for thieves to drive away Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted January 19, 2013 Author Share Posted January 19, 2013 lennyhb - 2013-01-19 4:16 PM £300 sounds OTT I thought the list price was £120 + programming charge making it £150 - £160.. I was quoted by Fiat dealer £150 it's £15 more if you don't have the key card, my mate got one at that price I didn't bother. I have another Fiat dealer coming back to me monday so will soon find out if thats standard or not. Peter James - 2013-01-19 4:37 PM A non chipped key will open the door, but will not start the engine. The electronic engine management communicates with the chip through a coil around the ignition key socket. If it doesn't get the right code back from the chip the engine won't start. That was my thinking, esp as my van doesn't have deadlocking, but makes you wonder if somehow or other the other remote operation might be affected, I can't see how. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pepe63xnotuse Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 Colin.. It may sound a bit daft but I recently got a spare key cut at Timpsons( for an old Toyota Hiace that I've just bought)and thought it was just a "normal" key(no buttons/alarm etc),so was expecting it to be a tenner :$ ... ....but I was told that it was also "chipped"..and cost £30.. With that in mind,if you're only after a basic/back-up key,it may be worth asking....? :-S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted January 19, 2013 Author Share Posted January 19, 2013 pepe63 - 2013-01-19 6:00 PM Colin.. It may sound a bit daft but I recently got a spare key cut at Timpsons( for an old Toyota Hiace that I've just bought)and thought it was just a "normal" key(no buttons/alarm etc),so was expecting it to be a tenner :$ ... ....but I was told that it was also "chipped"..and cost £30.. With that in mind,if you're only after a basic/back-up key,it may be worth asking....? :-S A friend got a Disco key from ebay which was fairly cheap and was a matter of a sequence of turns in the lock to get it to match his, but x2/50 seems more difficult. Hopefully Nick might put me right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Peter James Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 pepe63 - 2013-01-19 6:00 PM Colin.. It may sound a bit daft but I recently got a spare key cut at Timpsons( for an old Toyota Hiace that I've just bought)and thought it was just a "normal" key(no buttons/alarm etc),so was expecting it to be a tenner :$ ... ....but I was told that it was also "chipped"..and cost £30.. With that in mind,if you're only after a basic/back-up key,it may be worth asking....? :-S There is a key specialist in Scarborough indoor market. I asked him about a spare X2/50 key early last year. He does chipped keys and remotes from about £30, but said the technology for my X2/50 key was new and he hadn't got it then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 Eddie, in my Adria Twin, although the spare key does indeed set the alarm off when a door is opened, it shuts off when that same key is placed in the ignition. I seem to remember that being a Fiat thing rather than the third-party alarm my van has, but I can't check the X2/50 manual right now to see if that's the case - or I could but I'm not opening a snow-covered van to find out! Shaun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike88 Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 Doesn't the key need to be programmed into the vehicle? That being the case I don't see how some bloke in a market or Timson's can possibly do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
euroserv Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 Hello folks, I have not needed to get any new keys for X250 vans yet but a couple of our customers have obtained simple keys that open the door locks and start the engine from a local specialist in Leicester. I have never used them but I gather they are on Green Lane Road. We could program keys to operate the immobiliser using our diagnostic unit for the older vans and probably could for the X250 but we would not be able to program the door locking codes, so it would not really help much. I don't know why a single key is so much money from Fiat; a complete lock kit with 3 keys is 'only' about £350. Incidentally, anyone who buys a new Fiat as a factory order should insist on the option of either an extra simple key or remote key from the outset. The option prices are £35 for an extra simple key (total 3) and £30.75 to upgrade your second simple key to a remote locking version! (total 2) Why wouldn't you? Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
euroserv Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 Mike88 - 2013-01-20 3:29 PM Doesn't the key need to be programmed into the vehicle? That being the case I don't see how some bloke in a market or Timson's can possibly do it. I can answer that! A new Fiat key has a chip in in and it contains a code. The dealer introduces this key to the vehicle and the code is learned by the vehicle. If the independent operation has a suitably programmed machine you can take an existing key to them and it can copy the code from the old key to the new key; since the vehicle already knows that code, it won't mind which key you are using. This is the opposite way round to many other makes, and Fiats of old where new keys had no code and the vehicle imprinted the correct code onto the new key. independents could buy a fairly cheap kit that copied the codes from old keys to new keys in much the same way but the encryption was simpler and that is why the devices were cheaper in those days and more firms had them. Now the devices will only have software for a specific make of key and this has to be added to at considerable cost for almost every make. If you recall, Ford and Fiat to name but two used to come with 'red' keys. If you inserted a red key, did a twirl and clapped your hands twice then put in a new (un-programmed) key it would become programmed but woe betide you if you lost your red key! Door locking codes cannot be copied at all because they operate on a 'rolling' system and have to be synchronised to the vehicle in some other way that is far too complicated for me to get to grips with, so for a new remote key; it's off to the dealer, I am afraid. Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pepe63xnotuse Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 euroserv - 2013-01-22 2:19 PM Mike88 - 2013-01-20 3:29 PM Doesn't the key need to be programmed into the vehicle? That being the case I don't see how some bloke in a market or Timson's can possibly do it. I can answer that!..... .....If the independent operation has a suitably programmed machine you can take an existing key to them and it can copy the code from the old key to the new key; since the vehicle already knows that code, it won't mind which key you are using. Nick Yep,that all the "bloke at Timpsons" did with our non-remote(but "chipped") Hiace key... ;-) ..and as Colin(OP) was only after a non-remote key,it's got to be worth asking.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 This is probably the Leicester company Nick mentioned earlier http://www.bouldins.com/Services.htm Timpson's key cutting/programming services are described here http://www.timpson.co.uk/services/66/non-remote-car-keys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted January 22, 2013 Author Share Posted January 22, 2013 I'm beginning to suspect that I've only so far been quoted for the remote key and not the simple key, dispite me clearly asking for the non remote key. A few more phone calls methinks. BTW this leaves the three nearest Fiat dealers with a 100% failure rate for customer service, the first couldn't fix the SLD, the second couldn't fix the SLD and scratched the paint whilst servicing van, the third couldn't be bothered getting back to me with a price for the key. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vidafelix Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 colin - 2013-01-19 12:10 PM Need a spare non remote key for the van, local Fiat professional dealer quotes £300 to £310, have tried local locksmiths using www.autolocksmiths.net but still need to get key throu Fiat so not able to give a better quote. Any one got a key from elsewhere? My thoughts are to get a non chipped key cut just to use to get in van as it doesn't have a Fiat alarm to worry about, but will that upset system? Hello Colin, £300 is such a crazy price! I think if you carry on calling other automotive locksmiths then you will surely be able to get a lower quote. You can try someone like http://www.autokeysquad.com/replacement-car-keysfiat-car-keys-2 I was quoted a bit more than £330 to get a spare key for a c class 2006 by the dealer. I did call a list of locksmiths too and most of them advised me to go to the dealer anyway. But then www.autokeysquad.com quoted me £199 and another car key specialist (cannot remember who quoted me £209 and I was able to get two quotes for £200 .. not really cheap but better than £300 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 This is another website (Southampton) that may be of interest: http://www.autotechnix.co.uk/index.htm (There's database of Automotive Locksmiths that might be useful if one were shopping around for quotes.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted January 25, 2013 Author Share Posted January 25, 2013 A quick update, was quoted £40 today for a non remote key with programmed chip, am awaiting delivery of the key to shop and then need to get van to them for final programming, hopefully back end of next week, I'll let you know how it goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted February 1, 2013 Author Share Posted February 1, 2013 Gf ordered a new key on tuesday(or was it wednesday?) phonecall today from Timson's to say it had been delivered. So a trip to our local Sainsbury's which has a branch of Timson's inside and the key was programmed and cut, took some time to get the programming done and the lady who did it was sure it would fail as she's not had a good'un take that long, but it all works and cost £40. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
euroserv Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 That is a fantastic result and as heart warming as it was unlikely! Good for you and thanks for the info; i will send my customers to Timpsons in future! BTW They are a very well respected Leicester company. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pepe63xnotuse Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 colin - 2013-02-01 5:27 PM Gf ordered a new key on tuesday(or was it wednesday?) phonecall today from Timson's to say it had been delivered. So a trip to our local Sainsbury's which has a branch of Timson's inside and the key was programmed and cut, took some time to get the programming done and the lady who did it was sure it would fail as she's not had a good'un take that long, but it all works and cost £40. Result ! :-D Yep,Sainsbury's is where our closest Timpson's "branch" is (or should that be "booth"? (lol))... glad I mentioned 'em now(..must admit though,I thought I'd be laughed at for doing so.. (lol) ) Glad you got sort... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Newell Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 This all sounds just about right for Fiat and their pricing policies. Earlier this week I bit the bullet and ripped out the worn out wiper mech on our 05 plate Ducato van (wipers went just about everywhere but the screen) Both wheelboxes and wiper arms were completely tatered (its only done 192,000 miles) but as its all part of a single mechanism which includes the motor the only option is to replace it entirely. I could find plenty on Ebay but all "pre loved" which means they're quite probably not much better than the one I need to replace. Checked with the local Fiat dealer and they eventually came back with a price of £450 plus VAT just for the mech and the arms were a staggering £50 odd each plus VAT. As luck would have it on Tuesday I had a 55 plate Boxer in so we called the local Pug agent and quoted the boxer's reg (even though its exactly the same part fitted to all Ducato/Boxer/Relay vans from 02 to 06 they still need a reg No to find parts!) New wiper mech and arms £330 inc VAT delivered but it would be three days, no problem to me to wait a few days so we ordered it. Parts arrived this morning and fitted this afternoon . But why is the Fiat part so much more expensive than the Pug unit? D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted February 1, 2013 Author Share Posted February 1, 2013 Well I'm not 100% sure it's completely Fiats fault as the only dealer that came back to me with a price have previously proved to be incompatent! As nick quoted aand was related to me by a locksmith, a complete system of locks for a Pug(or was it Citreon) was around £300, but who knows? Anyway, here's how it's done, the (one remaining) original key and transponder capsule are taken to van, the transponder is held next to key and the key is inserted into igniton, the ignition is turned on for 10secs then turned off, this is repeated three times, return to shop, place new transponder into 'Magic machine' ;-) couple of minutes later it asks for original key, this is then placed in machine, several minutes later it asks for new transponer again and once again several minutes pass, machine confirms coding is complete, it's only then that the lady would cut key as sometimes it doesn't work, then transponder is inserted into plastic moulding on end of key. I have swapped keys and started van several times to ensure all ok. The one thing that might be different for others is that we don't have a Fiat alarm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.