key problems

[russ the rambler]

I’ve got a fiat ducato with a 2-button fob key (lock / unlock). I got a spare key cut by an auto locksmith (for a hefty price) but now one of the original keys doesn’t work. It won’t unlock the door or start the engine – it just turns over.

Its quite a coincidence. Do you think the new key has ‘taken the code’ of the old key? Do I really have to go back to an auto locksmith again? If I give them the ‘secret number’ could they do something without the van being present?

Thanks

 

[Abacist]

Does the key need a new battery? I've never had to change mine yet but the locks are electronic so the key needs power to transmit etc so there must be a battery to power it.

 

[russ the rambler]

thats a good point and worth a go!

 

[Two on Tour]

I had a spare key cut and programmed recently to hide away on our MH, and when the guy was programming the new key, he wanted all the other ignition keys which were programmed back into the system.

 

[Two on Tour]

The chip in the key fob for the immobiliser is RFID (passive) and does not require power from the battery in the key fob. If there was no battery in the key fob and the immobiliser chip was programmed correctly, it would start the engine.

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[russ the rambler]

thanks - in that case it does seem like quite a coincidence that the original key immobiliser chip has suddenly become 'unprogrammed' at the same time the new key was done?

 

[Deneb]

Did the locksmith have all of the keys, when he programmed the new one? The engine starting system is separate to the door unlocking. Unless every key that you want to use is introduced to the vehicle during programming of the new key, existing keys will be wiped from the system. I'm pretty sure that once a key previously known to the system has been deleted, it can't be programmed back again though.

 

[Bognor Saint]

Any news?

 

[russ the rambler]

yes there is...the key just died for reasons unknown, according to my auto locksmith, so I got another new one

 

[Deneb]

yes there is...the key just died for reasons unknown, according to my auto locksmith, so I got another new one

The ability to start the vehicle and the remote locking are two separate systems. Never say never, but almost impossible for both to fail together, and the engine starting element is an inert transponder which is only likely to fail if damaged.

My money is still on your locksmith forgetting to introduce all existing keys when programming the new key to the van. Unfortunately, once that's been done, you can't reuse any that have been omitted.

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[russ the rambler]

i completely agree with you. I left 2 sets of keys when he did the new one but he was adamant there was only one. Then he tried the key and his gadget said it didn’t work - he didn’t go into any reasons why. So then i had a choice between a call out charge and no key at all, or another hefty bill and a key that actually works, so I went for the latter