Red Key

How important is having the red key? and why would i need it?

you only need red key if something goes wrong. if for some reason you need a new key or need your existing keys reprogrammed to deactivate the imobiliser they use the info stored on the red key. if you dont have that. then they have to replace all the keys and immobiliser and i think maybe even the ecu????

you will most proubaly never need it its for imobliser problems or to reprograme 2 new blues in that are cloned off a red, if you only have 1 blue key and you car is between late 1995 and 2000 get it cloned now, if the car is out side of these dates it would have never had a red key

Good answers guys why not make this sticky it seems to come up every week!

moved it to general an made it sticky. bet we still get asked every week though

I bet you do, i think when i first signed up a year back or so, somebody was going on about the red key, hahaha its a game!

I've just bought my 4th Fiat car last week, s/h from a local car auction. It came supplied with 2 x Blue keys that both work OK.
Looking at the user manual it would seem that this car never had the dreaded 'Red Key' system tha my previous vehicles had.
My only concern is that i don't have the Security code card for this vehicle, which is needed for the Emergency start -up procedure.
Is it possible to get a replacement card from Fiat, or at least find out what the code is for my vehicle ?

FIAT will supply you with the security code, contact your local one, you should get it within a week

This week I bought my first ever FIAT. A 2000 (W) Punto HGT.

I seem to be reading a few things about the "Red Key".

Mine came with two Blue keys but no Red!

Should I have a Red Key for this car?


By the way - great forum here, I will be spending some considerable time here I think.

you should have a red key - it codes the blue keys

Mk 2 punto's have CODE2 system rather than CODE1 previously fitted on FIAT/ALFA ROMEO.

There should be only blue keys- minimum of 2 at any one time, although upto 8 can be programmed.

When you order CODE1 keys they need to be cut to profile, but CODE2 keys are ordered by the cars chassis number and come precut.

If I'm right in saying, these code 2 keys are the ones with a little triangle and circle symbol near to the key itself? So if they have that then it's the newer type that doesn't need a red key. Not having had one myself, I'm not too sure.

Basically if your immobiliser kicks in ur buggered to put it bluntley. lol. Easiest way round it is to chip it, but to be honest the chances ull ever need it are slim to none.

As well as a little '2' below it for Code2 keys

There you are Chris, look out for a little triangle and circle symbol and the number 2 on your keys and if you have that then you won't need a red key. If you can't find it then whoops, ask the previous owner