DB9 glass key

[dkatwa]

Thinking of a MY2009 DB9. Is it possible to wrap the glass key in plastic covering, the type used on mobile phones? something like Shield Skins
http://www.shieldskins.com/

[peterr96]

Almost certainly possible to wrap it.
Whether it'll fit in the slot afterwards, or more importantly come out again seems doubtful
Although the film is thin, 0.5mm all the way round would equate to an increase in dimension of 1mm in each axis.
I'd suspect the permitted tolerance is well within that.

[dkatwa]

thanks peterr96 - is the glass key the only way to start the car? is there a chip inside that needs to make contact inside the slot?

[robgt]

Your friendly AM dealer will sell you a nice leather pouch to contain it. That way it won't become scratched. £85 to you Sir! I bought one!

[dkatwa]

thanks robgt....what happens if the pouch is dropped? will it protect the key? I hear they are costly

[George29]

dkatwa said:

thanks peterr96 - is the glass key the only way to start the car? is there a chip inside that needs to make contact inside the slot?

There is also a black plastic 'valet' key that works exactly the same, just doesn't look as nice.

I'd go for the leather pouch though, and just be careful with it.

[threesixty]

dkatwa said:

thanks robgt....what happens if the pouch is dropped? will it protect the key? I hear they are costly

£900 apparently.

The car should come with a glass key and a cheapo plastic one. Just use the cheapo like everyone else does.

[AMDBSNick]

threesixty said:

Just use the cheapo like everyone else does.

Why

[tonyhall38]

funny enough....I have a couple of spare glass keys....

[peterr96]

dkatwa said:

thanks peterr96 - is the glass key the only way to start the car? is there a chip inside that needs to make contact inside the slot?

I don't think it "makes contact" but it will need to be in close proximity and yes there will be a coded chip inside.
Otherwise a piece of wood the right shape would start the car which would hardly satisfy Thatcham requirements for security methinks.

[dkatwa]

good thinking peterr96.....i may get the plastic wrapping anyway and see if it can fit around the glass key without causing problems....
does the car have a traditional key for the ignition, or it is purely the hole in the console?

[Retman]

peterr96 said:

dkatwa said:

thanks peterr96 - is the glass key the only way to start the car? is there a chip inside that needs to make contact inside the slot?

I don't think it "makes contact" but it will need to be in close proximity and yes there will be a coded chip inside.
Otherwise a piece of wood the right shape would start the car which would hardly satisfy Thatcham requirements for security methinks.

Chipboard might work.

[jonby]

Very sad on my part I know, but here's the full breakdown on keys to answer all the questions above

HISTORY
Early DB9s and I guess Vantages were started using a combination of traditional key & start button. DBS introduced the glass ECU to Astons when it was launched in 2007 and all other models of Astons then adopted it when they got the facia change first introduced by DBS. DB9 was upgraded in 2008 from 450 to 470 bhp, with the new DBS style interior & ECU coming at the same time. There is no traditional key option on those cars, which includes 2009 DB9s as mentioned in the OP

POUCHES
There have been 3 pouches made by Aston for the ECU. The first was an open pouch, with 2 key downsides: firstly over time it loosens up so the key drops out and secondly, you can't attach a key ring to it. They were given out free but then stopped after complaints that keys fell out & broke. The second was never free (though some dealers will give them out with new cars I guess) and is a more substantial pouch, with a magnetic closure to stop the key falling out & a way of attaching a key ring. The third is almost identical to the second, but has a cut out so you can operate the buttons to unlock/lock the car & open the boot without taking your key out of the pouch. It works really well as you'd struggle to damage the key if you dropped it in either v2 or v3 of the pouch but for v3, you can take the ECU out of the ignition and put it in the pouch before you get out of the car then locking the car from the outside whilst the key is still in the pouch

COSTS
Price was over £1k to replace ECU originally but you could replace individual parts for less if you damaged the casing but not the innards. It's dropped substantially, to c. £500ish now to replace. They come up on Ebay from time to time - I bought a pack with new glass & plastic keys for around £300 - make sure it's got the codes and that it's for the UK - there are 2 frequencies in use for different countries throughout the world. New cars get 1 plastic & 1 glass key but there is an option to buy a 2nd glass key when the car is new for a lesser price than buying one after the car is bought

TRANSPONDER
There are a few variations on JLC transponder watches that only work with ECU based cars, but they unlock/lock the cars, you still need the ECU to start the engine

MY2014
The new V12 Vantage S makes reference to the fact that there is some form of soft start system, still using the ECU. My guess is that this will roll out across the range for MY2014, along with for example DAB radio & Cobra alarm/tracker which are all standard for MY2014 across the range. I can only assume that you don't have to push the ECU as far in to start the car which in turn will mean it can't 'jump out' when you turn the engine off which is an occasional problem with the current system

[dkatwa]

great jonby....very useful information!
so, the key can sometimes just pop out when you switch the car off? by the way, how do you switch the car off? silly question, but I have never driven an Aston yet

[jonby]

dkatwa said:

great jonby....very useful information!
so, the key can sometimes just pop out when you switch the car off? by the way, how do you switch the car off? silly question, but I have never driven an Aston yet

foot on clutch (or brake for 2 pedal cars) and press ECU in to start car. Come to a halt, press ECU firmly to turn engine off - it's in a spring loaded cavity which occasionally can make ECU jump

here's the bit on the new site about the new key system - doesn't really explain how it works though
http://www.astonmartin.com/en/cars/the-vantage-ran...
also, going OT, they mention on there about a new design for the lightweight CF seat which now includes a winged aston badge - no clear pics as to the design changes unfortunately

[dkatwa]

thanks Jonby...easy when you know how :-)

[KarlFranz]

It's amazing to see how much hassle can be created by an engineering team that thought something was a cool idea without thinking it all the way through. A keyless start and door entry would have been so much simpler.

[jonby]

KarlFranz said:

It's amazing to see how much hassle can be created by an engineering team that thought something was a cool idea without thinking it all the way through. A keyless start and door entry would have been so much simpler.

Too true

Plus the lack of a keyless system is what prevents transponder watch sales being anything more than I guess, miniscule. I'd buy one in a shot if it could replace the ECU

Passengers seem to love it when they get in the car and new owners often love them to start with. Then the practical realities set in, the novelty factor wears off and you;re left with something as you say, not very well thought through

[DB9VolanteDriver]

jonby said:

KarlFranz said:

It's amazing to see how much hassle can be created by an engineering team that thought something was a cool idea without thinking it all the way through. A keyless start and door entry would have been so much simpler.

Too true

Plus the lack of a keyless system is what prevents transponder watch sales being anything more than I guess, miniscule. I'd buy one in a shot if it could replace the ECU

Passengers seem to love it when they get in the car and new owners often love them to start with. Then the practical realities set in, the novelty factor wears off and you;re left with something as you say, not very well thought through

I guess it's all perspective. I love the ECU bit; adds a certain drama, if you will. But then I like playing LPs and all the rigamarole that entails...