Lost Keys

[RCA]

A friend of mine had his bag stolen last week containing in it amongst other things sets of keys for 2 alfas. One is a V reg 146 and the other a N reg GTV. He has been told by Alfa that without any keys he needs to replace the lock set, the ECU and the Code Box. Is this correct??, seems a little drastic for lost keys!!!!. Is it not possible to have new keys made and then coded to the car??
cheers
Rich

>>> Edited by RCA on Monday 19th January 18:38

[gb145]

RCA am I right in thinking that your friend has had all of the keys for their cars stolen as they should at least have the maroon master keys for both cars. If they still have the maroon keys then thay can have new sets cut and coded from those. If they have had all the keys stolen I think its correct that you have to replace all the items you listed and that ain't cheap. Hope the insurance will cover it.

[RCA]

Unfortunately all keys!!, sort of a part time trader, was selling a car and put his bag down with about a grand in and all the keys to the 2 cars and someone grabbed it and legged it!!

[alfa mad]

Yeh, it is pretty bad news. Luckily the Fiat/Alfa systems are quite cheap. If it is of any support, I am facing a problem nearly as bad. The CODE system has gone tits up on my 155 and I should also need a new ECU, CODE unit and lock set! There is good news though. 145s, 146,s and 155,s are the same cars. All you need is the same lock barrels. To be safe though, if it is a 146, get a secound hand lock set from a 146. The good news on the immobilizer front is that it is possible (though not legal) to have the security (CODE) system deactivated. The engine ECU and CODE control units will have to be sent to a specialist in electronics (consult an Auto locksmith) and it is possible to have them returned with the CODE inoperative and no immobiliser function. You will require to supply a key for this if you wish a duplicate key. I am fortunate enough to have sourced a 155 which is very recently accident damaged and will be decommissioned. I also know of the owner.

If you cannot get insurance (unlikely as it was deception- I think), it should be possible to rekit each car for about £200 (estimate). If you need more help I will do try to get you contact numbers.

Best of luck.

[Wacky Racer]

When I bought my new Fiat, the salesman told me to guard the "maroon" master key with my life as it would be no end of trouble to replace and recode everything, plus cost a fortune

[alfa mad]

Yeh, the master keys are valueable. Beware though, I have heard of cars going through auction etc with only one key- the master key. Trouble is, some enterprising rouge has put a slave key inards into a master key cover!

If anyone wishes to add any keys, the proceedure is to insert the master key and turn the ignition on. Turn off and remove key. Do same for all other keys and then do same for master key again. Any previous keys which were recognised will no longer be recognised unless they were reprogrammed again. The system will recognise a maximun of 7 keys.

[alfa mad]

By the way, a new key set, lock set, code unit and ECU cost £600! Actually very reasonable considering what's involved but still painfull.

>> Edited by alfa mad on Wednesday 28th January 00:52