Hello,

Does anyone have any advice on replacing a key? When I bought my car I was given 2 keys; 1 brown one (master key) and 1 blue one (spare). I recently lost the blue key and very shortly after the plastic fob on the brown one broke.

I still have the metal blade and the chip from the brown key so I thought it would be a simple case of replacing the fob and ordering a copy so that I had a spare. But no. I live in France where nothing is simple.

My local garage tells me that without both keys it is impossible to make a copy. Which makes no sense to me as, if I had both keys, why would I need to make a replacement??? I also have a card with the electronic code and mechanical code, which I believe is for the purposes of manufacturing a new chip?

I'm being told by the garage that the only solution is to replace the ignition and all the locks - but it took much head scratching to come up with this solution so I'm not convinced they know what they're talking about and would like a second opinion before I go down that route.

Anyone got any advice? It would be much appreciated!

Cheers, Ali x

Unfortunately your in Classic Panda section.
Please post your question in Panda Nouva section.

kolza said:

Unfortunately your in Classic Panda section.
Please post your question in Panda Nouva section.

Click to expand...

Nope, this is the correct section, its a late Mk2, mk3 didn't start until end of 2003, and had the CODE 2 key system, and not the CODE 1 described.

Probably best asking in mk1 Punto section though OP as they have a similar key setup I believe

As I understand it, any competent auto locksmith should be able to make a working key with the 2 codes that you have, so it sounds like the biggest issue facing you is finding a competent locksmith!
ponsaloti is our resident expert, perhaps he can advise or even - using the codes - get keys posted out to you.

You should be able to get additional blue keys coded from the brown "master" key, but may need to go to a franchised dealer if the local garage can't help & you don't have a decent locksmith.

You'll almost certainly need the help of the dealer (or a high tech locksmith) to get a replacement master key if you need that. It is important to get the master replaced whatever others might tell you - the mk1 Punto engine in my Classic Panda ran like a bag of nails with ECU lights and all sorts until I used the master - sorted everything out & may also be needed if a blue key gets its rolling code scrambled.

You may have a code on the card for emergency start up (if the keys get scrambled). This was not given to UK customers for insurance purposes, but was on the continent.

The other may be the code needed to rechip a blue key. I'd be most worried about getting the master sorted - then blue keys are simple enough & can be done at most decent locksmiths.