highway robbery!

[davidc4430]

my commodores key has started not wanting to unlock my car

i figured its got a battery in it and prolly needs replacing

so today i dropped into my local former holden dealer (they still have holden stuff everywhere inside)

they took a look at my key and gave me the 'oh yours doesnt have a battery it has a CHIP' 

so instead of replacing a battery i need to replace the whole bit with buttons ect, just the key bit could be transferred over

how much i ask?

lets see, $120 for the part, then $100 to recode it to your car!

$220, i walked away saying 'rediculous'

[imastawka]

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@davewil1964 wrote:

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@imastawka wrote:

David, the remote is only for your convenience.

You can still unlock, lock and also drive the car using the key manually.

Remember when we used to have to do that?

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Generally the im/moboliser needs to be present to enable the ignition. If the chip has malfunctioned (as appears to be David's case) the car won't start.

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We bought our car brand new - one key with transponder and a spare without.

The spare works just fine

[kopenhagen5]

I got 2 keys with my car and everything works with both.

Except when I use the spare, the mirrors and seats move to a different position.

Haven't had time to look at how to change the driver 1 and 2 settings.

david, never heard of a key fob without a battery. Unless yours doesn't unlock doors remotely.

[rogespeed]

As my car is now of not much worth on the open market and so not attractive to common thiefs i would prefer to have no electronic anti-theft device at all - transponder keys in a car of little value is just another expensive thing that can go wrong. 

Even disconnecting the battery will immobilise the car - and resetting is convoluted switchology - which is recommended to learn or at least mark on the owner's manual for reference so as to exclude the immobiliser as the source of the unexpected  

[davidc4430]

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@imastawka wrote:

David, the remote is only for your convenience.

You can still unlock, lock and also drive the car using the key manually.

Remember when we used to have to do that?

---

yes i can unlock the car with the key the old fashioned way

but (theres allways a but)

it seems to set off the cars alarm when the electronic thing doesnt work

btw, i wouldnt class a 15 year old commodore fancy (not aimed at stawks)

[davidc4430]

i did a google search and looks like i can buy a new key on ebay with a device that will program it for $135

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/MAP-Complete-2-Button-Remote-Key-DIY-Programming-Tool-Kit-for-Holden-VS-...

might go with that

[imastawka]

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@davidc4430 wrote:

---

@imastawka wrote:

David, the remote is only for your convenience.

You can still unlock, lock and also drive the car using the key manually.

Remember when we used to have to do that?

---

yes i can unlock the car with the key the old fashioned way

but (theres allways a but)

it seems to set off the cars alarm when the electronic thing doesnt work

btw, i wouldnt class a 15 year old commodore fancy (not aimed at stawks)

---

The alarm stops once you put the key in the ignition

[imastawka]

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@davidc4430 wrote:

i did a google search and looks like i can buy a new key on ebay with a device that will program it for $135

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/MAP-Complete-2-Button-Remote-Key-DIY-Programming-Tool-Kit-for-Holden-VS-...

might go with that

---

I don't see any negs for that (and they have a ton of negs) so could be a go.

But (and there's always a but, hahaha) they use Fastway if that's a problem for you

[katistrophik]

My son has a Honda CBR 500 - with some you beaut safety thing on the ignition [ISS, sounds great doesn't it, good idea for a motorbike] that is until you lose your key.

Okay, his fault he lost the key, and $800  later he was set to go again with a key and a spare! They had to rebore the ignition barrel aparently - needless to say I hold his spare key now just in case.

Isn't tech wonderful LOL

[davidc4430]

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@imastawka wrote:

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@davidc4430 wrote:

i did a google search and looks like i can buy a new key on ebay with a device that will program it for $135

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/MAP-Complete-2-Button-Remote-Key-DIY-Programming-Tool-Kit-for-Holden-VS-...

might go with that

---

I don't see any negs for that (and they have a ton of negs) so could be a go.

But (and there's always a but, hahaha) they use Fastway if that's a problem for you

---

its fataway if you want express but australia post if i just select standard free delivery

i thinks

so many horror key stories

seems its lucky i have an old holden together

i took a gander and can see the spot ya plug the programmer thing in so ive ordered, fingers crossed

[davewil1964]

Keep us up to date. It would certainly (if Hyundai ones are available) be cheaper for me than paying over $500 for a spare key.