Hi everyone, this is FYI regarding the locks on specifically my Doblo Cargo but probably pertains to any Fiat.
As mentoned in previous posts I found my main key for the drivers door lock became unusable after 3 years with the ridges wearing out on the track in the key. I then started using the spare promising myself to get a new key sorted which of course I never did. So, another 3 years go by and guess what? the other key doesn't work now.
Went to Fiat garage in Leeds to enquire about a new one and was told it would be £230 to get the key and the code and program the ECU to take a new key etc etc. which is a high price to pay for a key just to get me into the drivers door. Both keys work fine in the other doors and ignition. The garage did let slip that a local keyshop/cobblers could probably cut me one that would just get me into the drivers door.
Visited this shop to enquire about a key, the owner tried to read the key immobiliser code off the RFID tag in the key and it came up as uncopyable on his equipment. He said he could cut me one that would get me in the door but it would be £80 as the key cost him £50. Well, that's better than £230 I said. He mentioned another key cutters in my home town of Otley that would probably do me a generic sort of key that would enable me to get into the door and then I could use the original to start the van. Not ideal having 2 keys I know but an option.
The key cutters in Otley sent off for a new key for me, made by a firm called JMA of Spain who appeared to be the only maker of a blank Fiat key that would fit. When it came back he cut it and told me there was a small 'trapdoor' in the key to fit the old RFID tag.The key worked fine in the drivers door and so I googled 'remove immobiliser tag from Fiat key' and found a short Youtube video which shows someone with a stanley knife cutting around the perimeter of the soft rubber coating on the Fiat key, peeling this rubber off the hard base inside and hey presto, there in a small hole is the RFID tag which slips out. Put this inside the little red trapdoor of your new £10 JMA cobblers shop key and guess what? the engine starts.
Moral of the story? Don't pay £230 for your dealer to cut and program a new key for you, get a copy made for a tenner and transfer the immobiliser tag over, its as easy as that.
Let me know how you get on before Fiat send the mafiosi over to shut me up....
As mentoned in previous posts I found my main key for the drivers door lock became unusable after 3 years with the ridges wearing out on the track in the key. I then started using the spare promising myself to get a new key sorted which of course I never did. So, another 3 years go by and guess what? the other key doesn't work now.
Went to Fiat garage in Leeds to enquire about a new one and was told it would be £230 to get the key and the code and program the ECU to take a new key etc etc. which is a high price to pay for a key just to get me into the drivers door. Both keys work fine in the other doors and ignition. The garage did let slip that a local keyshop/cobblers could probably cut me one that would just get me into the drivers door.
Visited this shop to enquire about a key, the owner tried to read the key immobiliser code off the RFID tag in the key and it came up as uncopyable on his equipment. He said he could cut me one that would get me in the door but it would be £80 as the key cost him £50. Well, that's better than £230 I said. He mentioned another key cutters in my home town of Otley that would probably do me a generic sort of key that would enable me to get into the door and then I could use the original to start the van. Not ideal having 2 keys I know but an option.
The key cutters in Otley sent off for a new key for me, made by a firm called JMA of Spain who appeared to be the only maker of a blank Fiat key that would fit. When it came back he cut it and told me there was a small 'trapdoor' in the key to fit the old RFID tag.The key worked fine in the drivers door and so I googled 'remove immobiliser tag from Fiat key' and found a short Youtube video which shows someone with a stanley knife cutting around the perimeter of the soft rubber coating on the Fiat key, peeling this rubber off the hard base inside and hey presto, there in a small hole is the RFID tag which slips out. Put this inside the little red trapdoor of your new £10 JMA cobblers shop key and guess what? the engine starts.
Moral of the story? Don't pay £230 for your dealer to cut and program a new key for you, get a copy made for a tenner and transfer the immobiliser tag over, its as easy as that.
Let me know how you get on before Fiat send the mafiosi over to shut me up....
