I just ordered a new blue key from online. (carkeyhelp.co.uk to be exact.) I have a 1997 Brava. The new key is not factory made by Fiat. I ordered the key with a transponder in it to match my car and have no idea how to program it, I have the original blue key that came with the car when I bought it used but the key broke and I keep misplacing it. I want to attempt to program if myself before taking it to the dealership. Any ideas?



Old key and new key.

You need your master key to program it your self. The dealer would also need the master key which you don't have.
Many key cutters can clone your existing key. Depending on which chip they fitted to the key they sold you this one might be usable for cloning.

In the UK, all you need to do is take any blue key to a key cutters (such as Timpsons) and they can clone the key for you. No need for the red key. Cost me £25 last time I did it a few years ago.

I imagine the situation will be the same in most countries though. Dealers will want an arm and a leg. Any decent key cutters will be able to clone a blue key.

Hey guys

Just bought my first Fiat this week. Unfortunately it only came with one key. Me and the Mrs share the car so I need a spare. Ideally I'd like another electronic fob. I've been down this road before with my local key cutters. They wouldn't even change the battery in my old Citroen fob in case they messed up the chip.

My questions are: Where can I buy a new transponder? (I have found some nice units on eBay but they don't come with the brains)

And second, is it safe to clone the chip? What are the risks of it getting messed up and becoming unusable?

ArgenTinnion said:

What are the risks of it getting messed up and becoming unusable?

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that depends on the engine, i don't know about the petrol or JTD models, but a TD75 or TD100 can be butchered back to life by hardwiring the fuel pump's start/stop solonoid to the ignition, if the immobiliser dies.
this of course carries it's own risks, but reduced security is balanced (imho) by the fact that they are not new, or very desirable cars, to steal. Also how would a potential thief know that this modification has been carried out?

I'm not sure on the engine - I have the Bravo Dynamic Multijet 120 - 1.9 Diesel.

Agree with you on the immobiliser front. I live in a pretty safe part of town as well so if that went, it would be alright.

I'm asking out of ignorance - I have no idea on the process of cloning the transponder. Is the danger that it can physically be damaged by removal? Or is it that it can easily have the frequency reset?

Ah yours is different, you have the new Bravo so yours will use the Code2 system and is harder to clone/copy. Other than Fiat dealers, your options are very limited.

Well that's a pain in the arris! I guess it's a lot of money from a dealer?

Will be three figures, whether from a dealer or a competent auto locksmith.

OK. The Mrs may be making do with a regular old key then

Thanks for all the info guys.

You'll still need it chipped to work the immobiliser though. You've basically got 3 options:

1. Blade only which will open doors, etc but won't start the engine = ~£30
2. Non-remote key which will start the car = ~£100-150
3. Remote key = ~£200

Options 2 and 3 are going to be dealer only/specialist auto locksmith jobs.

ArgenTinnion said:

Well that's a pain in the arris! I guess it's a lot of money from a dealer?

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try and track down the missing key by writing to the last keeper on the v5, if its not known where it is and car gets stolen insurance may make a fuss about paying out, ideally if replacing a key you want the old missing key deleted from the system too.