My sterling silver ECU key
Discussion
I mentioned in my intro that I've spent my spare time this year designing and building a new ECU key for my car - this is it
It's cast in five pieces of silver (three buttons, undertray and body), and I had alcantara on the hood and in the grille, but I've switched that for leather now.
I decided to make this key because when I got my car through a repossession auction last year, the owner souvenired the glass key, and I only got a worn-out plastic ECU. So in January I started teaching myself 3D modelling, and I made some plastic prototypes to test the layout, and to fully understand how the ECU worked. Getting it to work in solid silver added new challenges, but I've solved those now, so it's range is basically the same as the plastic key.
I've also made a leather case for it. I wanted to fully protect the silver, but still have super simple access to the key. And I wanted to be able to lock and unlock the doors while its still in the case, so I don't have to risk dropping it until I'm ready to start the engine. The shape of the case and the alcantara lining hold the key securely, and I think it looks fit for the Aston. I'm really happy with how the case has come together.
That's it! What do you reckon, any questions?
It's cast in five pieces of silver (three buttons, undertray and body), and I had alcantara on the hood and in the grille, but I've switched that for leather now.
I decided to make this key because when I got my car through a repossession auction last year, the owner souvenired the glass key, and I only got a worn-out plastic ECU. So in January I started teaching myself 3D modelling, and I made some plastic prototypes to test the layout, and to fully understand how the ECU worked. Getting it to work in solid silver added new challenges, but I've solved those now, so it's range is basically the same as the plastic key.
I've also made a leather case for it. I wanted to fully protect the silver, but still have super simple access to the key. And I wanted to be able to lock and unlock the doors while its still in the case, so I don't have to risk dropping it until I'm ready to start the engine. The shape of the case and the alcantara lining hold the key securely, and I think it looks fit for the Aston. I'm really happy with how the case has come together.
That's it! What do you reckon, any questions?
Thanks everyone, I'm so excited with all of your responses! Here are some pictures of it in the dash
If you need to see it clearer, let me know and I'll take them in better light when the sun comes back up (I'm in Melbourne)
I've only made it in silver, but I believe I could make it the same way in some other metals. Probably bronze, 14k gold (yellow/rose/white), 18k gold and platinum. The cost of using gold or platinum would be pretty high though, as there's a couple of ounces of metal in there. I don't know how to do carbon fibre, but I could look into it. It feels kind of nice to have a bit of weight to the key though i think
Thanks Jon39 for suggesting I get a patent - on similar advice I just applied for a design registration. That's effectively a patent for this type of item, so I've got recourse if it were to be copied.
It is indeed a tongue in cheek ejector seat button, well done soofsayer. The Volvo circuit board still has the fifth button on it, hidden inside the standard ECU key. And it still sets off the panic alarm on the Aston. So hopefully, if its ever needed, the button will eject someone from your car.
If you would like a key, I would love to make one for you on commission! I could give you a few options for the hood/grille leather colour, and for the case leather and stitching colours. Are we going to get ourselves in trouble if we start talking about price etc? How would be the best way to move forward?
I would actually love to work to develop stunning keys for other marques - everyone who's passionate about their car deserves a little piece of art to go with it!
If you need to see it clearer, let me know and I'll take them in better light when the sun comes back up (I'm in Melbourne)
I've only made it in silver, but I believe I could make it the same way in some other metals. Probably bronze, 14k gold (yellow/rose/white), 18k gold and platinum. The cost of using gold or platinum would be pretty high though, as there's a couple of ounces of metal in there. I don't know how to do carbon fibre, but I could look into it. It feels kind of nice to have a bit of weight to the key though i think
Thanks Jon39 for suggesting I get a patent - on similar advice I just applied for a design registration. That's effectively a patent for this type of item, so I've got recourse if it were to be copied.
It is indeed a tongue in cheek ejector seat button, well done soofsayer. The Volvo circuit board still has the fifth button on it, hidden inside the standard ECU key. And it still sets off the panic alarm on the Aston. So hopefully, if its ever needed, the button will eject someone from your car.
If you would like a key, I would love to make one for you on commission! I could give you a few options for the hood/grille leather colour, and for the case leather and stitching colours. Are we going to get ourselves in trouble if we start talking about price etc? How would be the best way to move forward?
I would actually love to work to develop stunning keys for other marques - everyone who's passionate about their car deserves a little piece of art to go with it!
Thank you all for your kind words. I think I've now turned on PMs in settings, thanks silverspeed; I've received about half a dozen messages so far and I'll respond to you all later today. Please feel welcome to send me a message if you're interested!
The circuit board and the RFID chip do need to come from a donor key. However, I believe I can include a spare blank RFID chip, so that your donor key can still start your car (it worked for me). You would need to program that chip yourself using two working keys, it's easily done. My current understanding is that only a dealer can program a new circuit board to unlock the doors etc, but I live by 'anything is possible'.
Adam I agree it would probably work best if I received a donor key, and made the switch for you. The circuit board needs some minor touch-up, nothing difficult. But given that there might be slight variation between pieces, I'd also want to make sure the action on the buttons is perfect. I could write a how-to with photos for anyone who wants to DIY.
I keep mine on the coffee table
The circuit board and the RFID chip do need to come from a donor key. However, I believe I can include a spare blank RFID chip, so that your donor key can still start your car (it worked for me). You would need to program that chip yourself using two working keys, it's easily done. My current understanding is that only a dealer can program a new circuit board to unlock the doors etc, but I live by 'anything is possible'.
Adam I agree it would probably work best if I received a donor key, and made the switch for you. The circuit board needs some minor touch-up, nothing difficult. But given that there might be slight variation between pieces, I'd also want to make sure the action on the buttons is perfect. I could write a how-to with photos for anyone who wants to DIY.
I keep mine on the coffee table
Thanks those of you for your PMs! I think I've replied to you all.
John, I will definitely take up your offer for a beer! Send me a message when you're coming to Melbourne.
Hopefully if there's any concern about the design it can be shown that there are materially significant differences. I'll take the opportunity to be clear that I'm (obviously) not associated with Aston Martin, or representing them, nor trying to confuse anyone that I am. If the oversized butterfly silhouette (it's just an outline, there's no detail) is really a problem, then it could be removed - I might then have some XK owners asking for one If the application is rejected, then so be it.
Greg, unfortunately I don't think I could make it in titanium. I had a quick look online to see if I could find anyone with the right capability to do that in small volume, but I haven't come up with anything (not fine enough detailing, and seeing lines in the finish). If I see a good way, I'll let you know.
John, I will definitely take up your offer for a beer! Send me a message when you're coming to Melbourne.
Hopefully if there's any concern about the design it can be shown that there are materially significant differences. I'll take the opportunity to be clear that I'm (obviously) not associated with Aston Martin, or representing them, nor trying to confuse anyone that I am. If the oversized butterfly silhouette (it's just an outline, there's no detail) is really a problem, then it could be removed - I might then have some XK owners asking for one
If the application is rejected, then so be it.Greg, unfortunately I don't think I could make it in titanium. I had a quick look online to see if I could find anyone with the right capability to do that in small volume, but I haven't come up with anything (not fine enough detailing, and seeing lines in the finish). If I see a good way, I'll let you know.
Hey everyone, thanks for your interest in the silver keys
A fun side note - the moment that I put up the website, but before posting about it, I shot a short email with pics and a link to Eon Productions (the bond film producers). The website got hits that day from London and central UK, so there was at least some interest from a couple of people there... but I didn't hear back from them.
I've had nothing but support from Aston Martin. AM Melbourne saw the key during an AMOC event and offered to refer anyone who they couldn't satisfy in-house. Only 6 Speed Online forums stopped me from posting a thread to share what I'd done with our American owner friends, unless i paid them for it.
I'm sure you can appreciate there's a fair bit of time and effort that goes into making each key, and each case. Not just the production but the tolerances for the dash insertion, and omg the hand stitching. Shortly after the initial production run, my day job got in the way and paid better so... priorities. I've been turning down requests for new keys since about 2020, with a promise to reach out if I ever did another run. It sounds like it could be time to explore doing that, with some support from the local AMOC group (spare time is still a factor).
In the meantime, there's 14 individually numbered pieces floating around out there. I still use mine every time I drive the car, which is most weeks including today. I love it! It's also the best pickup story I've ever had
A fun side note - the moment that I put up the website, but before posting about it, I shot a short email with pics and a link to Eon Productions (the bond film producers). The website got hits that day from London and central UK, so there was at least some interest from a couple of people there... but I didn't hear back from them.
I've had nothing but support from Aston Martin. AM Melbourne saw the key during an AMOC event and offered to refer anyone who they couldn't satisfy in-house. Only 6 Speed Online forums stopped me from posting a thread to share what I'd done with our American owner friends, unless i paid them for it.
I'm sure you can appreciate there's a fair bit of time and effort that goes into making each key, and each case. Not just the production but the tolerances for the dash insertion, and omg the hand stitching. Shortly after the initial production run, my day job got in the way and paid better so... priorities. I've been turning down requests for new keys since about 2020, with a promise to reach out if I ever did another run. It sounds like it could be time to explore doing that, with some support from the local AMOC group (spare time is still a factor).
In the meantime, there's 14 individually numbered pieces floating around out there. I still use mine every time I drive the car, which is most weeks including today. I love it! It's also the best pickup story I've ever had
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