Best option to replace key body due to broken buttons

Tourist · 8th June 2021, 20:52

Hello all,

Some advice if possible please: Recently, the circular lock button fell out of my main key, which is rather annoying. The key still works so all I need to do is replace the case.

I've had a look on YouTube and also on eBay and although you can buy various different key bodies, it's not clear to me which one is the best. In one of the videos, it seems that getting the original key blade out of the broken key is difficult to do and then it doesn't seem to fit properly into the new key body.

This video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPyhbbmBSEo&t=286s

For this reason I wonder if I'm better off buying a new body with blank blade in it, then transfer my key innards (including the transponder chip) and take it to a key cutter to have the blade cut to match my broken key.

Can anyone demystify this for me and perhaps recommend an eBay auction that would work for me?

Many thanks :-)

BigRuss · 8th June 2021, 21:38

Getting a good case can be a nightmare sometimes they're really good others are really poor.
I've even bought from sellers that previously supplied good ones only to find that the new stock is rubbish.
It's a bit of a lottery really, I've got to get some more as I've run out so don't know what the next one's will be like.
It's fairly easy to swap the blade over if the plastic stays glued in the old case by knocking out the small roll pin that's in the blade, then swapping the plastic insert from the uncut blade that comes with the new case by removing the roll pin from that and transfer your existing cut blade

That's what I do when swapping over cases .

Russ

chicochapman · 9th June 2021, 03:26

I had a similar problem recently but when I approached my local key cutter, he refused to cut the ebay blade on the basis it was made of "monkey metal". I then did as Big Russ suggests and it worked out ok.
I have a decent spare case/key I could send you if you would like to PM me your details.
Malc

Tourist · 9th June 2021, 07:34

Thanks Russ and Malc!

Russ - I thought that may be the situation because there seemed to be lots of variation on the Ebay auctions.

Malc - Don't you just love this forum?! I've sent you a PM :-)

AndyN01 · 9th June 2021, 08:08

Hi.

If you get as far as needing a blank cutting then these folks are good:

https://the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/s...d.php?t=309765

Good luck with getting it sorted.

FrattonEnder · 10th June 2021, 15:38

I'm going to need to do this, plus get one of the micro switches replaced on the PCB as the unlock button is cream crackered. Any ideas on getting the latter done? Seen some services on eBay, but not sure how legit they are.

8th June 2021, 20:52	#1
Tourist Loves to post 2004 Rover 75 Tourer CDTi Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Fulbourn, Cambridge Posts: 455 Thanks: 105 Thanked 123 Times in 101 Posts	Best option to replace key body due to broken buttons Hello all, Some advice if possible please: Recently, the circular lock button fell out of my main key, which is rather annoying. The key still works so all I need to do is replace the case. I've had a look on YouTube and also on eBay and although you can buy various different key bodies, it's not clear to me which one is the best. In one of the videos, it seems that getting the original key blade out of the broken key is difficult to do and then it doesn't seem to fit properly into the new key body. This video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPyhbbmBSEo&t=286s For this reason I wonder if I'm better off buying a new body with blank blade in it, then transfer my key innards (including the transponder chip) and take it to a key cutter to have the blade cut to match my broken key. Can anyone demystify this for me and perhaps recommend an eBay auction that would work for me? Many thanks :-)

8th June 2021, 21:38	#2
BigRuss Premium Trader 75 CDT Tourer,2.5 Launch Saloon, Omipro MG/Rover (T4) Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Liversedge, West Yorkshire Posts: 5,405 Thanks: 1,105 Thanked 1,340 Times in 661 Posts	Getting a good case can be a nightmare sometimes they're really good others are really poor. I've even bought from sellers that previously supplied good ones only to find that the new stock is rubbish. It's a bit of a lottery really, I've got to get some more as I've run out so don't know what the next one's will be like. It's fairly easy to swap the blade over if the plastic stays glued in the old case by knocking out the small roll pin that's in the blade, then swapping the plastic insert from the uncut blade that comes with the new case by removing the roll pin from that and transfer your existing cut blade That's what I do when swapping over cases . Russ __________________ Replacement Key Service http://https://the75andztclub.co.uk/...d.php?t=244732 Full T4 Testbook diagnostics available. Diesel ECU repair and replacement. Options enabled or disabled as required. Diesel X-Power 135 and 160bhp, Rover 1.8T 150 to 160 MG 160 V6 to 177 upgrades available P.M. for details.

9th June 2021, 08:08	#5
AndyN01 This is my second home Toyota RAV4 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Tamworth Posts: 3,067 Thanks: 2,478 Thanked 1,579 Times in 968 Posts	Hi. If you get as far as needing a blank cutting then these folks are good: https://the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/s...d.php?t=309765 Good luck with getting it sorted. __________________ Andy. http://www.midlandsnanomeets.co.uk/

10th June 2021, 15:38	#6
FrattonEnder Avid contributor MG ZT Join Date: May 2020 Location: Gloucester Posts: 232 Thanks: 40 Thanked 47 Times in 28 Posts	I'm going to need to do this, plus get one of the micro switches replaced on the PCB as the unlock button is cream crackered. Any ideas on getting the latter done? Seen some services on eBay, but not sure how legit they are. __________________ Serial Longbridge owner - Rover 213SE, Rover 216GTi, Rover 416 SLi, MG ZS 120+, MG ZT CDTi, MG ZT-T 190. Flies in the ointment - Ford Mondeo Mk4 CDTi Zetec, MINI Cooper 1.6

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9th June 2021, 03:26	#3
chicochapman Avid contributor MG ZT-T Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Stockport Posts: 133 Thanks: 56 Thanked 22 Times in 20 Posts	I had a similar problem recently but when I approached my local key cutter, he refused to cut the ebay blade on the basis it was made of "monkey metal". I then did as Big Russ suggests and it worked out ok. I have a decent spare case/key I could send you if you would like to PM me your details. Malc

9th June 2021, 07:34	#4
Tourist Loves to post 2004 Rover 75 Tourer CDTi Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Fulbourn, Cambridge Posts: 455 Thanks: 105 Thanked 123 Times in 101 Posts	Thanks Russ and Malc! Russ - I thought that may be the situation because there seemed to be lots of variation on the Ebay auctions. Malc - Don't you just love this forum?! I've sent you a PM :-)