Replacement keys

[tommytaylor]

I need a new key for our van, in the past I've gone on the internet, ordered a new key with the key number and a brand new (none original) cut key has turned up a few days later which I was then able to program to the car. But this time I just can't find anyone on line that is able to make a new key, have the laws tighened up on this recently, the only thing that shows up are locksmith type companies that want to charge well over £100 to sort me out, a new key in the past was about £30, they were even able to issue the programming number for a small extra fee.

I think the last company I used was car keys online but although they are still going the key selection is woefully poor now.

[Krikkit]

Newer cars are harder to program for, and need more expensive software. All that has to end up passed onto you unfortunately.

[tommytaylor]

Krikkit said:

Newer cars are harder to program for, and need more expensive software. All that has to end up passed onto you unfortunately.

Its the same vehicle I need a key for though, last one lasted about 3 years.

[Decky_Q]

I have bought the blank keys online before (Toyota and Audi) and just dismantled them to swap over the blade and electronics from the old one, would this work for you?

[soad]

Decky_Q said:

I have bought the blank keys online before (Toyota and Audi) and just dismantled them to swap over the blade and electronics from the old one, would this work for you?

Timpson cut a new blade, and swapped internals for me: old case was falling apart - tape barely held it together. Fitted a new battery also. Cost? £50.

[Bennet]

I've tried buying blanks online before and just swapped the internals over. So far so good.

Then I took it to Timpsons to get it cut. He warned me that very often, blanks bought online were not quite the right thickness and often wouldn't work in the ignition.

He cut it for me anyway, and he was right, it didn't work.

Maybe you can get better quality ones...

[tommytaylor]

Decky_Q said:

I have bought the blank keys online before (Toyota and Audi) and just dismantled them to swap over the blade and electronics from the old one, would this work for you?

No, I've done that before though with worn out key bodies. This time because the key body was worn the blade kept falling out and this time I don't know where the blade has gone so its that bit I need, luckily I still have two keys but one of them is a none remote key which is less than ideal.

I don't get it though, a couple of years ago there were several on line key companies that would cut a key off a number or log book number and post them out to you, all you had to do then was fire up the computer and program the imobiliser and lock/unlock buttons to the vehicle. Now there doesn't seem to be any companies offering that service. Probably all been bought out by big locksmith type companies because they were taking all the trade.

[Lester H]

My daughter lost both keys but car was open. Much on line searching by dad who also was part time in the trade. Finally one ‘man in van’ got to the farmhouse in (to be polite) the arse end of nowhere, and made a key , got the car started, etc. When it came back (to me) the key proved of limited use, but it manually unlocked the car and started it, etc. At least that van man had rescued it from an obscure location to suburbia. I then contacted another , recommended man who came and programmed it in 10 minutes and gave us 2 new remote keys. £70 no negotiable ,I tried.What I saga. My point, at last, is that lost keys are hard work but in can be resolved at a price.

Edited by Lester H on Tuesday 4th July 20:35

[Fady]

I got a couple of Toyota keys from ebay seller at following link https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/carkeysos

Seems to cover quite a few marques and found service to be first class. Keys cut to OE standard complete with logo in this instance. Can also cut from photo if no code and just a couple of days to deliver. Then had to pair to immobiliser myself using instructions sourced from the web.

[tommytaylor]

Fady said:

I got a couple of Toyota keys from ebay seller at following link https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/carkeysos

Seems to cover quite a few marques and found service to be first class. Keys cut to OE standard complete with logo in this instance. Can also cut from photo if no code and just a couple of days to deliver. Then had to pair to immobiliser myself using instructions sourced from the web.

Good call, not that particular shop but I've found someone on ebay selling just the blade cut from a number and someone else selling the body and immobiliser chip so I should be able to put the two items together. About £20 all in all.

[Acuity30]

I wanted a spare key as my car only came with one so I just used insurance lost keys policy to get a new one for free