Worn out key ECU thingy.....

Worn out key ECU thingy.....

Author
Discussion

steveatesh

Original Poster:

4,893 posts

163 months

Tuesday 25th April 2017
quotequote all
I've used the plastic key (or ECU as it is grandly known as) since new and after seven years it is starting to go be up the ghost, namely the rubber over the open/lock buttons is worn and it's getting harder and harder to lock the car.

A while ago somebody on her produced some carbon fibre shells to replace the plastic ones - anybody know if these are still on the go?

I've found a direct replacement plastic shell (swap out the interior) on astonmartinbits for around £80 quid or so, but I'm not sure my innards are in a swappable condition.

Anybody else faced this yet and if so what did you do?

Ken Figenus

5,678 posts

116 months

Tuesday 25th April 2017
quotequote all
Dealer swapped the case and put a new rubber button membrane for mine for about £45 I seem to remember smile

woodsypedia

870 posts

152 months

Wednesday 26th April 2017
quotequote all
I've started to explore having some carbon fibre shells made too. I'm in the process of getting some quotes. Hope to have these in a few weeks. It's proving complex it seems.

Chris,

Handyman2009

165 posts

102 months

Wednesday 26th April 2017
quotequote all
The problem doesn't seems to be as much the shell as it is the rubber buttons, mine are also bad...

AMDBSVNick

6,990 posts

161 months

BigMig

205 posts

110 months

Wednesday 26th April 2017
quotequote all
Yeah my rubber bits are knackerd too, I can't tell which is the open and close button anymore, and they're slowly disappearing into the housing, so I guess I need a new membrane.
I would also like a carbon fibre shell though, as the plastic one just doesn't look special enough. So keep us posted on the quotes you receive Woodsypedia.


NeinFondue

860 posts

155 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
quotequote all
I never use the plastic key. For me at least, it ruins the experience as it just feels cheap. Even with custom carbon fibre shells, it lacks the weight and the illuminated buttons of the glass key. Only time my plastic / spare key ever gets used is if the car needs to go back for a service or to have work done. Glass key all the way thumbup

tonyhall38

4,194 posts

215 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
quotequote all
As above......

HBradley

1,037 posts

180 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
quotequote all
NeinFondue said:
Glass key all the way thumbup
Until you drop it on a hard surface without a case!! rage

CraigV12V

304 posts

152 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
quotequote all
NeinFondue said:
I never use the plastic key. For me at least, it ruins the experience as it just feels cheap. Even with custom carbon fibre shells, it lacks the weight and the illuminated buttons of the glass key. Only time my plastic / spare key ever gets used is if the car needs to go back for a service or to have work done. Glass key all the way thumbup
Plastic key is only for when you give car to someone else; dealer, wife, car jacker.

tonyhall38

4,194 posts

215 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
quotequote all
HBradley said:
NeinFondue said:
Glass key all the way thumbup
Until you drop it on a hard surface without a case!! rage
Just get a new one .....with a case......

juddcampbell

65 posts

85 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
quotequote all
can you purchase this:
http://www.scuderiacarparts.com/part/astonmartin/d...

and then use the internals from your valet key to have two functional glass keys?

woodsypedia

870 posts

152 months

Sunday 7th May 2017
quotequote all

Ken Figenus

5,678 posts

116 months

Sunday 7th May 2017
quotequote all
Those wont work on the plastic key - needs a rubber membrane. Suggest a chat with parts chap - they will have seen this many times smile