Why is coding keys such a pain

T

thespannerman

Member
 Oldbury, West Midlands
I have two keys, one of which works fine, operates remote locking, the other doesn’t. I have tried now on numerous occasions to code the second key, ign on/off, press buttons 3 times, (as per various instructions given on here), etc, IGN on and off 5 times, stand on one leg, swing chicken in the air, you name it. Popped into local Indi, they tested the key and say it’s a good key, charged, and they tried some of the above methods but it still won’t operate the central locking.

Why does it have to be this hard??

Al
 
Have you tried all three methods of syncing your keys and doing one after the other immediately or they won't both get synced.
Three methods to try:

Method 1:

1. Working from within the vehicle and with the doors shut

2. Turn ignition to position 1 and back to off within 5 seconds.

3. Remove the key from ignition and press and hold the unlock button for 15 seconds during this time press the key lock button 3 times within 5 seconds.

4. Release both buttons.

5. Doors will lock and unlock to show correct programming has occurred.



Method 2:

To do this procedure you need to have one working key and one key that needs to be programmed.

1) Get in and close all doors.

2) Turn on the ignition and turn off quickly. (No more than 5 seconds) to start the process. Next action must take place within 30 seconds.

3) Remove the 1st key.

4) Hold the key up near your left shoulder (this is so it is closer to the remote receiver antenna.

5) Hold down the unlock button and press the lock button 3 times. Release the unlock button and the doors lock which confirms the operation.

6) Quickly repeat steps 4 & 5 for key #2 etc.

If it does not work, try doing the keys in opposite order. Key 2 then key 1, vs 1 then 2.



Method 3:

Alternate if you do not have a working remote

1. Turn key to position 1 five times very quickly 2. Remove key 3. Hold unlock button then press lock button 3 times, release unlock button.

4. If you have another key do the same button pressing within 30 seconds 5. Turn on ignition to finalise.
 
I tried Method 2 yesterday with great success. It did not work first time as I did not read action 5) properly and did not release the unlock button whilst waiting to hear the door lock. I did not have to stand on my head or do anything special. I assume the key battery in both your keys are fully charged?
 
Yep, tried all the methods. With regards the key being charged, the only thing I have to go on is the Indi telling me that the key was good. How can you tell otherwise??

Al
 
thespannerman said:
With regards the key being charged, the only thing I have to go on is the Indi telling me that the key was good. How can you tell otherwise??
Click to expand...

Drive the car a good distance with the new key to ensure battery is fully charged if new. If it is old the battery may be toast. I am not sure how you tell other than the remote locking not working.
 
thespannerman said:
Yep, tried all the methods. With regards the key being charged, the only thing I have to go on is the Indi telling me that the key was good. How can you tell otherwise??

Al
Click to expand...

You can charge the key by resting it on an electric toothbrush charger
 
I wonder if a previous owner has bought a key from eBay, got the blade cut to suit the car but didn't manage to get the remote unlocking sorted. Does it start the car? The difference in price between a manual key that'll start the car and one that does the full remote thing can be over £200.
 
Hi. Yes it starts the car, and the Indi that took a look said it was a good key and he tried to sync it ( which I don’t think he would have tried if it was just a blade been cut)

We don’t have an electric toothbrush charger that’s not got contacts (so not electromagnetic)

Al
 
thespannerman said:
We don’t have an electric toothbrush charger that’s not got contacts (so not electromagnetic)
Click to expand...

Either does mine, it’s just the enclosed plastic ones. It’s either a cradle the brush sits in or the one with a single plastic coated prong that goes inside the bottom of the toothbrush, they both work by just sitting the plastic part of the key on top of them :thumbsup:

Except on one key where the rechargeable battery was knackered so old battery removed and a new one was soldered in
 
Well had key number 2 sitting on the toothbrush charger all night, still no joy. From what I have read you have to cut the key in half to get to the battery, is that right?

Can anyone recommend/post a link to a replacement rechargeable battery if that’s what I need next

Cheers
Al
 
It can be a bit of a faff as the replacement batteries often don't have the lugs in the right place and some re-engineering is required. Have done a couple and swore never again but it is a lot cheaper than a new key.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1o9vH3mgmg
 
Got key apart, battery was showing 2.8v so not quite 3v but would have thought it would have been ok. But have ordered new Panasonic battery so will fit that and try again.

Al
 
Ok, so new battery fitted, and checked at 3v, but still no good, won’t sync. What’s next, new key?

I can see a few keys with blanks on fleebay, are these any good. Do I then get the key cut or change the blade from the one I have?

Cheers
Al
 
Guys, this is very frustrating.

I have tried the methods listed below again, and by using method 2, the second key “seems” to sync, in so much as the doors lock and unlock as part of the button press/release process, but then it doesn’t work afterwards. Is there something I am not doing to “ finalise” the process

Key 1 still works ok.

Help
Cheers
Al
 
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