Bought an '01 Marea 1.6 sx from a garage (not a Fiat dealer), but they only gave me one blue key..claimed that they didn't have any spare keys (although there was a pot of spare keys of all sorts, I suspect they just couldn't be bothered to search). Anyway, now I've no red key or code card, and I'm worried that if I have any problems with the immobiliser I'll be really snookered without the code.
Anybody got any suggestions what I should do..if something does go wrong can I just get the immobiliser removed and continue to use my one blue key. Or should I contact a dealer now to get the code from them?

Thanks

contact the dealer and order the code from them, they get it from the ISR costs around £10.

If it's the red key system which i don't think it is (hopefully isn't) then if you lose the key you need a complete new ECU and locks.........

Thanks for the info...I've been back to the garage who say they can get a spare key cut for me, and they can get me the code.
However, I would still have no red key...anyone know what exactly is the red key for, and what are the implications of not having it?

You first have to decide whether its system1 or system2 immobiliser. Look at the blade of the key and see if there is a 2 close to the semicircles logo. If it is sytem 2 then you have to get code from Fiat as stated earlier and have a new key cut and programmed.
If its a system1 key, then it is the red key system, and the good news is that you can get your existing blue key copied at Timpsons etc for about £30.
The red key is only required for replacing new unique keys from Fiat.
Red keys can be re-produced (as can blue keys). from immobiliser or ECU if its really needed see :-
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/datarecall/

Thanks for the help...thankfully there's no '2' on the key, so this seems to suggest it's a system1 immobiliser. So I'll just get a spare key cut then, and presumably there'll be no need for the red key? What about if the battery is disconnected for any reason, will the car then be immobilised...and will I be able to restart the car with the blue key?

Disconnecting battery will have no effect on immobiliser.

Some marea drivers are constantly disconnecting their battery due to problems with the radio backlights staying on in the cold weather. Has no effect on the imobiliser however the radio requires the code.

Thanks for all the help and advice guys, much appreciated...

I have a 20v with a red key, blue key and a remote keyfob. Normally, I just use the blue key & leave the red key & remote at home. If the battery is disconnected, it seems to reset the immobiliser, the alarm goes off & the car won't start. Cure is to lock & unlock the car with the remote. This clears the immobilser and we are back to normal. Found this out the hardway when I used to keep the remote at work, and I didn't close the tailgate properly at home - couldn't start the car after charging the battery! Had to get the bus & only found how to clear it by luck.

Ian

I have a 100 sx but have the red and blue keys,for some unknown reason I have experienced dash lights and starting problems which point to key troubles, I have found that after using the red to start the car, the problem disapears, a freind had the same problem with his punto and ended up being told by a fiat dealer that the red key is only to be used to reset the codes on all fiat models and should not be used as the main key in the car, as this can cause all sort of problems, but the dealer was adamant that you should have the red key to use for getting the car started in case the blue fails, Hope this is of some use to you..