Spare Key Advice
Discussion
Hello there.
Just thought I would share an idea on how to get a spare key made for your Subaru for as little as possible.
I bought my Impreza hatch about 7 months ago and it only came with one key , so I wanted a spare.
I bought a used Sigma Fob for ebay for £14.00 and programmed it to relate to my car using the cars sigma keypad. So this now works the alarm and unlocks the doors nicely. Careful to by the correct one , there are two different types depending on which Alarm unit you have.
Then I had a transponder ( no remote functions ) key made at Timpsons for £40.00 I used a less 10% voucher found online so actually £36.00
And there we go, a spare key set for a Subaru for £50.00 without having to post your only key somewhere strange! Hope it might help someone else get one .....
Just thought I would share an idea on how to get a spare key made for your Subaru for as little as possible.
I bought my Impreza hatch about 7 months ago and it only came with one key , so I wanted a spare.
I bought a used Sigma Fob for ebay for £14.00 and programmed it to relate to my car using the cars sigma keypad. So this now works the alarm and unlocks the doors nicely. Careful to by the correct one , there are two different types depending on which Alarm unit you have.
Then I had a transponder ( no remote functions ) key made at Timpsons for £40.00 I used a less 10% voucher found online so actually £36.00
And there we go, a spare key set for a Subaru for £50.00 without having to post your only key somewhere strange! Hope it might help someone else get one .....
Thanks , I'll be really pleased if it helps you get another sorted for a low price.
Mine was the single button original shown below. My car has the factory fitted Sigma S34 alarm system with a keypad near the drivers right knee.
Below is the picture of my transponder spare key from Timpsons and the Sigma AC111 fob I bought from ebay.
It was fairly simple to set up the fob using the keypad in the car and I think I could help talk you through it if you need. The programming instructions were emailed to me by a very helpful car alarm installation man which I think I still have.
Mine was the single button original shown below. My car has the factory fitted Sigma S34 alarm system with a keypad near the drivers right knee.
Below is the picture of my transponder spare key from Timpsons and the Sigma AC111 fob I bought from ebay.
It was fairly simple to set up the fob using the keypad in the car and I think I could help talk you through it if you need. The programming instructions were emailed to me by a very helpful car alarm installation man which I think I still have.
The new key is the one on the second picture that says JMA and that is shown with the sigma fob. It looks pretty crap really but works perfectly so its ok as a cheap spare.
As far as I know they change the alarm system depending on what year the car was made. Mine is an 08 hatch. I was lucky to have the original Sigma manual with my owners handbook and service history which told me what model alarm it was.
To make doubly sure I did locate the alarm control unit ( near the radio ) so I would probably say that you could find out the model fairly easily by a quick bit of research or where it is located. I think they used the S34 and M30.
Do you have the keypad near the drivers knee ? If so you have a sigma alarm.
Looks like this
http://scorpionauto.com/home/products/SIGMK2
As far as I know they change the alarm system depending on what year the car was made. Mine is an 08 hatch. I was lucky to have the original Sigma manual with my owners handbook and service history which told me what model alarm it was.
To make doubly sure I did locate the alarm control unit ( near the radio ) so I would probably say that you could find out the model fairly easily by a quick bit of research or where it is located. I think they used the S34 and M30.
Do you have the keypad near the drivers knee ? If so you have a sigma alarm.
Looks like this
http://scorpionauto.com/home/products/SIGMK2
Love the forester too!
Yes you sort of put the alarm system in programming mode through the keypad and tell it how many fobs or keys you want to set it up with and then press the buttons on the key or the fob when it tells you to by chirping.
Before you start messing with it would be worth checking that you know the code for the alarm( by arming it with the code). I didn't know mine ,but since there was one working key you can change it. So I would set the code first before you change the key and mess with the alarm.
I think I can provide help to change the code and program the key on the S34 if needed. I also found some instructions for the earlier system that I might still have if needed.
Good Luck ! :-)
Yes you sort of put the alarm system in programming mode through the keypad and tell it how many fobs or keys you want to set it up with and then press the buttons on the key or the fob when it tells you to by chirping.
Before you start messing with it would be worth checking that you know the code for the alarm( by arming it with the code). I didn't know mine ,but since there was one working key you can change it. So I would set the code first before you change the key and mess with the alarm.
I think I can provide help to change the code and program the key on the S34 if needed. I also found some instructions for the earlier system that I might still have if needed.
Good Luck ! :-)
I have seen some key repair services on ebay who might sort your original spare key out for a lower price.
I cant see any reason why it wouldn't work ( I found instructions easily enough for the earlier sigma system online) but I can't say for sure as I have only been able to test it on my S34 system.
Please make sure your know the code for your alarm before messing with the keys though :-)
I cant see any reason why it wouldn't work ( I found instructions easily enough for the earlier sigma system online) but I can't say for sure as I have only been able to test it on my S34 system.
Please make sure your know the code for your alarm before messing with the keys though :-)
Not a way of finding out , but if you have at least one working key ( that opens the car and sets the alarm ) you can set it yourself.
I didn't know the code either and only had one key and I have managed to change the code to a personal one.
-If I remember correctly you first set the system with your working radio key as you would if locking the car normally.
-Straight away you then unset the system as you would if opening the car. Within 30 seconds enter this into your alarm keypad *17856*92*XXXX*XXXX# ( X = your new code )
-Then set your system with the key.
That should be it. You can try to either disarm or arm the system with the code now. All you do to unset it is enter the code. To set it enter the code and it should start beeping , so then get out and lock your car with the key and it should set!
Good luck , let me know if you need any more help. I am not a specialist though just someone who has had a mess around with their own alarm. - So don't blame me if you break it! :-)
ETA- the keypad code might be *17856*992*XXXX*XXXX#
I didn't know the code either and only had one key and I have managed to change the code to a personal one.
-If I remember correctly you first set the system with your working radio key as you would if locking the car normally.
-Straight away you then unset the system as you would if opening the car. Within 30 seconds enter this into your alarm keypad *17856*92*XXXX*XXXX# ( X = your new code )
-Then set your system with the key.
That should be it. You can try to either disarm or arm the system with the code now. All you do to unset it is enter the code. To set it enter the code and it should start beeping , so then get out and lock your car with the key and it should set!
Good luck , let me know if you need any more help. I am not a specialist though just someone who has had a mess around with their own alarm. - So don't blame me if you break it! :-)
ETA- the keypad code might be *17856*992*XXXX*XXXX#
Edited by nickofh on Monday 15th December 20:21
My first thought is that it might be the wrong sigma fob. There are two kinds that look nearly identical. For mine the fob is a Sigma AC111 ( it says on the back the model number ). This one works with the S Series.
They also do a Sigma AC110 which works with Sigma M Series alarms. The two are not compatible. Do you know which alarm you have ?
They also do a Sigma AC110 which works with Sigma M Series alarms. The two are not compatible. Do you know which alarm you have ?
I just remembered that you might have to do something different to code two different keys or fobs to the system. You sort of have to tell it that you are adding two different fobs I think.
Maybe try this , the two in the sequence is you telling the machine that there are two fobs.
-*17856*91*2#
-then press one remote the siren will beep , press the other remote the siren should beep.
Have you tried just coding the fob to the system , as if you have managed to set your key up it might be worth trying it with just the fob to see if it works.
Let me know how you get on :-) Good Luck!
Maybe try this , the two in the sequence is you telling the machine that there are two fobs.
-*17856*91*2#
-then press one remote the siren will beep , press the other remote the siren should beep.
Have you tried just coding the fob to the system , as if you have managed to set your key up it might be worth trying it with just the fob to see if it works.
Let me know how you get on :-) Good Luck!
At least you have or can get a spare key for emergencies. The only other thing is to see if that sigma fob is sending out a signal.
I bought one of these to see if my friends key was sending out a signal or if it was the car( it was the key ) . It does also work on my sigma fob and Subaru key.
GUNSON 77013 VEHICLE KEY FOB TESTER
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GUNSON-77013-VEHICLE-KEY...
They are all stupidly expensive on ebay currently , but only a fiver on here
http://www.toolsave.co.uk/product-gunson-77013-gun...
Let me know how you get on! :-)
I bought one of these to see if my friends key was sending out a signal or if it was the car( it was the key ) . It does also work on my sigma fob and Subaru key.
GUNSON 77013 VEHICLE KEY FOB TESTER
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GUNSON-77013-VEHICLE-KEY...
They are all stupidly expensive on ebay currently , but only a fiver on here
http://www.toolsave.co.uk/product-gunson-77013-gun...
Let me know how you get on! :-)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-SUBERU-IMPREZA-ECT-S...
£20 for that one,
They are new on this website for £38
http://www.southerncarsecurity.co.uk/index.php?rou...
and this company were helpful in giving me some of the info that I have put on here.
http://scorpionauto.com/home/products/SIGAC110
£20 for that one,
They are new on this website for £38
http://www.southerncarsecurity.co.uk/index.php?rou...
and this company were helpful in giving me some of the info that I have put on here.
http://scorpionauto.com/home/products/SIGAC110
NailedOn said:
A quick update on my Outback key.
The Sigma beeper did not mate to the car.
I bought a (non-remote) physical key/blade so I could use it as a spare, when combined with the PIN code to shut the alarm off.
This appeared to work. As in I could lock the car with the remaining original key, then unlock it with the physical key and shut the alarm down with the PIN. the car would then drive with the new physical key.
So far so good.
I then bought a replacement ‘original’ Subaru key on eBay. Obviously the blade would not be the same but I have the replacement one. But it looks identical to the original.
But the car would not mate the new key to the car. All the beeps sounded when I keyed in the sequence, but it would not unlock/lock/start the car.
Hm, tried several times, but no. I did install a new battery too.
Then I reverted to the steps above with the blade/PIN combination and that does not now work!
I am wondering if my reprogramming the keys I have knocked out the blade? Dunno. Out of my depth now.
The blade still opens the door and the PIN disarms the alarm, it is just that the engine will not fire, even within the 30 second window.
I am now selling the car and would like at least for the blade/PIN combo to work.
Frankly, I am stumped and as the car is only worth £4k it is not worth paying a dealer £400-500 to fix.
Any further suggestions would be welcome.
Oh Bugg3r, I really feel for you! Firstly , do you have any working key ? The Sigma beeper did not mate to the car.
I bought a (non-remote) physical key/blade so I could use it as a spare, when combined with the PIN code to shut the alarm off.
This appeared to work. As in I could lock the car with the remaining original key, then unlock it with the physical key and shut the alarm down with the PIN. the car would then drive with the new physical key.
So far so good.
I then bought a replacement ‘original’ Subaru key on eBay. Obviously the blade would not be the same but I have the replacement one. But it looks identical to the original.
But the car would not mate the new key to the car. All the beeps sounded when I keyed in the sequence, but it would not unlock/lock/start the car.
Hm, tried several times, but no. I did install a new battery too.
Then I reverted to the steps above with the blade/PIN combination and that does not now work!
I am wondering if my reprogramming the keys I have knocked out the blade? Dunno. Out of my depth now.
The blade still opens the door and the PIN disarms the alarm, it is just that the engine will not fire, even within the 30 second window.
I am now selling the car and would like at least for the blade/PIN combo to work.
Frankly, I am stumped and as the car is only worth £4k it is not worth paying a dealer £400-500 to fix.
Any further suggestions would be welcome.
It could be that the used key that you have bought is not working correctly. One of the reasons that sent me down this route was that my only key ( the original one button one ) would not always remote lock / unlock etc. I tried a new battery , cleaning the contacts etc and bought I little key fob tester that tells you if the key is giving off a signal. Sometimes it did , sometimes it didn't. Often it had to be pressed stupidly hard to make it work. That's why I ended up with the sigma fob.
I am not 100% here myself , but did you have this new key coded at a dealer / locksmith etc. My understanding of the system is that there is the original Subaru system with locking and immobiliser which we cant mess with like we can with the sigma one. So you have to have the new key coded before it will start the car. Then you tackle the sigma system separately which is the alarm and the second immobiliser.
Your thinking was similar to mine in some ways , when I first bought the car and before I realised that timpsons did keys so cheap I bought a cheap new Subaru looking key off ebay for a fiver and I thought I will get this cut and at least I wont have to replace the locks / ignition if I lose my key ,because Ill have a copy of the blade and will know the sigma code.
Let me know what happens :-)
gforceg said:
Apologies for a minor thread hijack...
I've got the two original fobs that came with my Legacy. I've been using one for a few months now since the other seemed to fail around the time the car battery died.
I finally got round to replacing the button battery in the (probably) failed fob, not before testing it with the battery it already had fitted.
It does seem that fob is not talking to the car. Or the car isn't listening.
Is there a recognised and hopefully cheap way of getting the car and the fob reintroduced and on speaking terms keeping in mind I do still have one perfectly working fob?
Any advice appreciated.
If your car has the sigma alarm system fitted then it should be possible for you to reprogram the other fob. I bought I used fob for mine and successfully mated it with my car. Providing the fob is working. I've got the two original fobs that came with my Legacy. I've been using one for a few months now since the other seemed to fail around the time the car battery died.
I finally got round to replacing the button battery in the (probably) failed fob, not before testing it with the battery it already had fitted.
It does seem that fob is not talking to the car. Or the car isn't listening.
Is there a recognised and hopefully cheap way of getting the car and the fob reintroduced and on speaking terms keeping in mind I do still have one perfectly working fob?
Any advice appreciated.
Good luck , Ill try and help if I can but I'm not a professional alarm guy!
gforceg said:
Thanks, mine has the one button Subaru fobs as pictured on page one. It has the key pad near the driver's right knee but, guess what! I don't have a code number for it. Unless the number on the small metal tag on one of the key rings is the right one.
This could either be interesting or expensive!
I think the number should be on a card in your cars paperwork if you have any. Two things to try if your feeling brave.......This could either be interesting or expensive!
Unlock your car like normal , wait a minute , then with the drivers door open press the code you might have into the keypad and if it works it will start to beep , shut the door and lock with the key in the door lock. Your car is locked and alarmed. You can then disarm with the key like normal or the code if you don't mind hearing the alarm for a few secs.
Since you have a working key you should be able to change the code to your own. I did this successfully with mine. I didn't know the code and it wasn't in the cars history. My instructions for this are on the previous page for Sigma S34.
Good Luck !
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