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'

[davidc4430]

got my new key fob and programing gadget today

worked perfectly

fingers crossed

if it plays up in the next week or so i'll update

took about 5 minutes to swap the old cut key to the new fob then program it

extremely easy

[davidc4430]

KF200 video instructions - YouTube

[lyhargr_0]

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@davidc4430 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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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)

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Neither would I * not aimed at david

[davidc4430]

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@kopenhagen5 wrote:

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.

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i'll open the old one up and have a look inside

[eol-products]

I have had a few comodores from late 90"s and the keys have batteries and are not designed to be replaced as the key is glued shut from the factory. Luckily Holden factory remotes are cheap compared to other cars which can be close to $500.

My daily car is a early 2000's mercedes and you can replace the batteries easily unlike some other German cars. I think this may be due to the plastic remote is used as a key in the dash to start the car. It has a normal door lock but the key is housed in the remote and is a fiddle to get out as it requires 2 hands and does not have a key ring so is easily lost if you don't put it back.

[davidc4430]

yeah, ive had a look and might need to 'break' the old keys plastic to look inside

so not a simple to open job

still as you say, $135 is pretty good

that $90 cheaper than holdens were about to charge me

i dont know how they do it but it took me about 5 minutes to swap the 'key' bit over and then use the little programmer device

[eol-products]

You are lucky you can buy an aftermarket one as some makes and models can't and need to go to the dealer. It is not something you would think about but buying a used car the remotes can be expensive and it is something that should factor into the price.

Regarding the holden key I have seen youtube videos where they replace the batterries but I think the contacts are welded to the battery and I am not sure if they retain the memory once the battery fails.