Replacement key near Reading, Berkshire
 

Managed to slam the car key in the frontdoor the other day and separate the blade from and destroy the casing. Thankfully a replacement keyfob online and switcheroo got it all working again.

It did however highlight the problem of having only one key. A quote from a car key firm was £600.
Are there any guys (or gals) in the local vicinity who are able to make a spare key, and if so what's entailed workwise and costwise?

Many thanks in advance :)

PM Big Russ the recognised key guru he will sort you out at a fraction of the cost quoted.:xmas-smiley-008:

See the link to the site traders - he can sort you out by post.


https://the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/f...splay.php?f=13

I would view the process in stages. First and in my view a cost free essential is to photograph your key blade and store the image safely for any future use. A new key can be cut from the image and supplied via post by a number of online vendors who now provide such a service. The image needs to meet the requirements of the vendor, usually just a close-up, clear and vertical image showing the pattern on the key for the vendor to copy from. I used Aliexpress where a cut key can be had atm for less than £7 delivered to the UK. That is just for a cut key with empty fob shell, no internals for remote locking and no immobiliser chip. Comes from China so might have to wait a few weeks for delivery. There are UK vendors on ebay offering this service too with maybe faster delivery but last time I looked they struggled to compete on price with the Chinese vendors on Aliexpress.

Once you have a cut key that mechanically works in your car locks only then would I think about contacting one of the site gurus to get it working fully. They can usually provide the internals for the key and a programming service. Some might be able to provide an uncut key too but not sure if any can yet provide a full service with cutting. Getting someone to cut a key which you provide yourself has proven to be difficult if not impossible for some members. Many UK vendors are not apparently willing to cut a key unless they provide the blank blade, so best check with any local key cutter before you go for this option.

Another step to keep the cost down would be to obtain the internal PCB for remote locking yourself. They can be sourced from used keys obtained from the likes of ebay, car breakers or maybe other members/owners. This you can program to the car yourself if you feel up to it using free software like TOAF or alternatively you can get a guru to do it for you. The immobiliser chip is where most need help with as it requires special knowledge and equipment to program to the car.

One of the keys on Dad’s car will start the car, unlock on the central locking and open using the key normally.
Sometimes though the car just stops and the little screen shows an error.

Grateful if anyone has any ideas on fixing it?

Can you describe or photograph exactly what the screen is displaying please Calum? Hopefully we'll then be able to advise.

Simon

Sometimes it just says engine isolated, then gives the little engine in a cross symbol, photo hopefully attached.
Sometimes it starts and keeps going.
Sometimes it cuts out while driving.

I am thinking it is the chip in the key not communicating with the receiver in the ignition?

Hi Calum,

Thanks for the extra information and photograph of the engine immobilised symbol.

Just to clarify, you mention "Dad's car". Does the key fob which was crushed in the door belong to your Dad's car and is it his engine which is stopping? In other words, are we talking about one car and its own key, not your ZT-T?

Simon

Sorry for the confusion.
I think it was someone else that had a squashed key.

My ZT-T was/is my Dad’s car, but he has dementia and isn’t allowed to drive any more, so I look after it and use it to ferry Mum & Dad about. It’s great for getting mums wheelchair in the boot.

Shall I do another thread?

Ah, thanks for pointing that out Calum. Let's carry on for the moment as Animesis hasn't logged-on for two days since he posted his question.

We'll have to try to find out if the transponder in the ignition key normally communicates continuously with the car whilst driving. It might just be required to start the engine in which case you might have a fault with the immobiliser ECU. A leaking sunroof drain tube can result in water damage so worth thinking about that.

Simon