Maserati Red Key

[The Squire]

Can Anyone help me i have lost the Red key to my masarati and i am told i have to change the ECU, Locks and all that for the sum of £3000

[v8thunder]

I'm afraid all Fiat-group cars are like this. We lost the red key to the Punto and had to pay a stupid amount for the same service. All I can suggest is that you just keep searching high and low for the damn thing. I think, due to the way the ECU diagnostic is analysed, the dealers/service have all owners squeezed into a corner over this one - there's nowhere else that can decode the diagnostic equipment.

Any computer/ECU-minded people on Pistonheads?

Nice car, btw

[The Squire]

v8thunder said:

I'm afraid all Fiat-group cars are like this. We lost the red key to the Punto and had to pay a stupid amount for the same service. All I can suggest is that you just keep searching high and low for the damn thing. I think, due to the way the ECU diagnostic is analysed, the dealers/service have all owners squeezed into a corner over this one - there's nowhere else that can decode the diagnostic equipment. Any computer/ECU-minded people on Pistonheads? Nice car, btw

Thanks for you reply

[pbrettle]

Yeap, later Fiat group cars had this rather stupid system changed so that it was a separate module to replace and you dont need to do all of the keys and the ECU. But that doesnt help you in the slightest - sorry....

But, yes I am lead to believe that you have to replace the locks and the ECU if you lost the red key....

[alan_driver]

I'm sure there is a way around it. I remember reading about it with a different car before, if it wasnt on PH then i have no idea where. I will try and find it for you.

[cinqster]

You'll probably find an old Cinquecento one would work - knowing Italian electrics and security!

Seriously though, I'm not sure what the red key does, as my car started fine with the blue key when the battery had been disconected for weeks. I'd been told by Fiat this would not be possible?

I've couldn't find mine when I sold my Cinq a couple of weeks back but the purchaser said it wasn't a problem because he knew a dodgy bloke in Liverpool that could make them - maybe madcop has his address?

[pdV6]

Did you definately receive the key from the previous owner or supplying dealer.

Some Alfa dealerships actually hold on to the master key and only produce it on request. Don't know if some Maser dealers might do the same?

[t1grm]

Can you claim this on your house insurance? Or can you get a seperate insurance policy rather like you do for a mobile phone or credit cards?

[deltaf]

The red key is the master key. No one else has a copy, and it cant be aquired from a dealer. As far as im aware, theres nothing you can do if you lose it, apart from replace the aforementioed parts.
The master key is supposed to be stashed separatley, in a secure location so that in the event of you losing the other keys, you can get the system reprogrammed for the new keys and the old one programmed out. Thats so that if the keys get nicked, they become useless for starting the car..(transponder in the fob not recognised). Without the master key to program the system, youll have no alternative but to replace those expensive parts. Sorry im not much help.

[murph7355]

Bugger all help to you if you lose it, but it's meant as a deterrant to theft.

Strikes me as a good idea in principle, and it's only the fact that replacing all the bits if you lose it is expensive that it works as a deterrant.

Sorry to be of no help. An insurance claim would strike me as a wise option if you absolutely cannot find it...

[AlexHancock]

When I bought my 3200 the dealer couldn't locate the red key and (eventually) had to pay to replace the ECU, locks and keys. If a Ferrari/Maserati dealer can't find a way around it I doubt anyone can.

Sorry