Hope you can help
Been looking on your web site and cant find what i was looking for, i thought i would ask if a 2001 bravo on a 51 plate still needs the red key as the dealer told us it didnt (when we purchased it). "The newer models dont have them any more" he said to us as we handed over the money to him. Hope you can be of some help to us.

It also only came with one key (a blue one) and no central locking fob, do they normally have them and if so can they be replaced?

Gadget :bang:

The vehicle shouldnt need a red key as they changed the system around before 01. My 01 sei doesnt require a red key so dont worry on that front.

As for the key, i got 2 keys with mine, might be worth it giving the previosu owner a call if you can, to see if they have it, im not sure on this but you mite be able to get the key cut from a key cutters, someone will confirm that tho as i am not sure.

But as for the red key, you do not require one on a 01 model

Incorrect Apple.

ALL Bravo/a's require red key. http://www.bravo-guide.co.uk/buy-a-bravo.htm#redkey

Gadget - as for central; locking fob - all depends on the model. Not all came with remote cenral locking but all from 1999 will have key central locking.

If you are interested I am selling some Remote Central Locking units to fit

https://www.fiatforum.com/showthread.php?t=32079

If in doubt say nothing.

My advice would be to return the car via the dealers front window.

Any half decent dealer would make sure you have a spare key. if only to save any possible future hassle if you lose the key or get it locked in

why did they scrap the red key idea on the others but not the bravo/a

no idea, they probably kept the red key system until the Stilo replaced the Bravo/a model

So if i was to go back to the dealer and have a whinge what do you think i should be asking for? i know the missus wont want to give up the car, so i guess that is out of the question, any ideas?
As i bought the car they said they had no other keys so i guess it wont just be a case of them saying they will ask the previous owner.
Bit lost and need direction if you can help?

If they cant - ask for a refund to the value of a new ECU and set of keys. THis way if the keys are lst you have covered your cost.

i have heard that the set of new keys and ecu is about £800 notes, is that correct? isnt there a cheaper way to do it??

wow just phoned a dealer he said £1100 for parts and £200-300 to fit, phew!! there must be a cheaper way to sort out this, must be some one somewhere that does it a lot cheaper?? anyone know??

code man will do full set of keys for £170 www.codeman.org

And it shouldn't be you paying for it, it should be the dealer, they should have pointed this out to you and failed to do so.

thanks very much for your help, i will give it some serious thought. I guess you have to take the ecu unit off and send it to them dont you?

What Bravo is it you have Gadget? Some don't have remote central locking (mine doesn't). If all you need is a duplicate key then you can often get one made up at better key cutters.

Red key is required to reprogram ECU and keys in the event of something catastrophic happening to ECU. Even those of us that have a red key might not ever need one. Sods law applies big time here though

Fiat Bravo 1.6sx 16v 3d 103bhp on a 51 plate, dont know if this shed's any more light on the situtation. Im off to see the dealer today so i'll fill you all in on what he says when i get back. Another question for you all, why would the ECU go wrong, what would need to happen for you to use the red key? and does this model come with a factory fitted alarm? so many questions gadget . . . . i hear you all say.
Thanks to you all for your help.
:hug: :hug:

The manager of the dealership was not there so i left my number for him to get back to me, will post when i get a response. No call from him this evening

you'll have to pester them!

Yes why would an ECU go wrong? Couldn't possibly and the fact is for the most time they don't. But if one day you put the blue key in and the ECU doesn't recognise the chip in the key fob and just ain't having it then you are truly stuffed.

If you have the red key then you can "talk" to the ECU and tell it "Look stupid! This the key we've always used. I've had it with your Italian sense of humour so stop messing about and bloody work" and hey ho (after some acrobatic key juggling with red and blue keys that would shame Paul Daniels and the lovely Debbie McGee) you're on your way

lol very funny, that tickled me and the missus